NOVEL WEB Chapter 12: chapter 12:Courage in the Small Things
Episode 12: "Courage in the Small Things"
The golden light of the afternoon faded into soft twilight, the sky painted in streaks of deep orange and indigo. A crisp evening breeze whispered through the sprawling college campus, carrying with it the faint aroma of freshly brewed coffee from the nearby café. The world seemed to hold its breath as Neel stood near the fountain at the heart of the campus, facing the girl he had admired from afar for months. His palms were sweaty, his heart thundering like a war drum, and his mind a chaotic storm of nervous energy.
"Just breathe," he whispered to himself, glancing quickly at the girl in front of him. Her warm smile lit up the space between them, her curious eyes waiting for him to speak. But the words wouldn't come.
Behind him, hidden in the shadows of a nearby tree, DNS and Lily observed the scene with amused expressions. DNS, leaning casually against the trunk, took a long drag from his cigarette, his sharp eyes tracking every nuance of Neel's awkward stance.
"Do you think he'll manage to pull this off?" Lily whispered, her tone a mix of hope and mischief.
DNS smirked, flicking the ash from his cigarette. "He'll manage. The kid's got guts—just needs to find them."
Lily giggled softly, her excitement barely contained. "He's doing better than I thought he would. I expected more stammering by now."
DNS exhaled a cloud of smoke, his smirk widening. "Give him time. It's a battlefield out there."
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Neel's Struggle
Neel's mind raced as he tried to form coherent sentences. Her voice, light and melodic, pulled him back into the moment. "So," she said, tilting her head slightly, "you've seen me around, huh? I didn't know I'd caught your attention."
Noticed you? Neel thought, his cheeks burning. I've been staring at you like a lovesick fool for months!
But instead of voicing his chaotic thoughts, he managed a sheepish chuckle. "Y-yeah, I guess I... I mean, it's hard not to notice you."
Her smile grew, a faint blush dusting her cheeks. "Oh? And why is that?"
Neel's throat went dry. He could feel the weight of her question pressing on him, the anticipation in her eyes. He opened his mouth, certain that whatever he was about to say would seal his doom, but before he could speak, a faint whistle broke the tension.
From his hiding spot, DNS gave Neel a subtle nod and a thumbs-up, a silent reminder to relax.
Taking a deep breath, Neel steadied himself. "You're... really amazing," he blurted out, his voice barely above a whisper. "Not just pretty, but... you always seem so kind and happy. It's... inspiring."
The words hung in the air, and for a moment, Neel was sure he had said too much. His stomach churned, and he mentally prepared for rejection. But then, she smiled—a genuine, radiant smile that made the world around them fade away.
"That's really sweet of you, Neel," she said softly, her eyes sparkling. "I didn't know you felt that way."
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DNS and Lily's Reactions
From their vantage point, DNS grinned around his cigarette. "See? Told you he had it in him," he said, his tone smug.
Lily was practically bouncing with excitement. "He's actually doing it! I can't believe it!"
DNS chuckled. "The kid's been ready for this. He just needed a nudge in the right direction."
Lily nudged him playfully. "You mean months of relentless teasing and borderline harassment."
DNS shrugged, his grin widening. "Call it tough love."
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The Turning Point
Neel, emboldened by her response, found his voice again. "I've been wanting to talk to you for a while," he admitted, his cheeks still flushed. "But I didn't know how."
"Well," she said, stepping a little closer, "I'm glad you finally did."
Her proximity sent Neel's heart racing, but he managed to hold his ground, his confidence growing with each passing second.
The girl hesitated briefly, glancing down at her hands as if gathering her own courage. Then she looked up at him, her expression soft. "Hey, um... would you like to grab coffee with me sometime? You know, just to talk more?"
Neel froze. For a moment, he thought he had misheard her. Did she just... ask him out? His mind reeled, and he struggled to find his voice. Somehow, he managed a shaky nod.
"Y-yeah! I'd love that!" he said, the words tumbling out in a rush.
Her smile grew brighter, and she reached out to lightly touch his arm. "Great! I'll see you around, Neel."
And with that, she turned and walked off, leaving Neel standing there in stunned silence, his heart still racing.
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The Aftermath
DNS clapped a hand on Neel's back, grinning like a proud older brother. "Atta boy, Neel! I knew you had it in you."
Lily wrapped an arm around Neel's shoulder, beaming. "You were amazing! I'm so proud of you!"
Neel, still dazed, shook his head. "I... I can't believe that worked. She actually wants to go out with me..."
DNS took a final drag from his cigarette before flicking it to the ground. "Of course it worked. You've got charm—just needed to use it."
Neel turned to DNS, his face still red with embarrassment. "Thanks, man. I don't think I could've done it without you."
DNS smirked. "Don't thank me yet, kid. The real challenge is just starting."
"What do you mean?" Neel asked, his brow furrowing.
Lily giggled, a playful glint in her eyes. "Now you've got to plan the perfect date."
Neel's eyes widened in horror. "Oh no... Oh no, no, no. What do I even do?"
DNS chuckled, slinging an arm over Neel's shoulder. "Relax, kid. We'll help you out. First step? Don't overthink it. Just be yourself."
Lily nodded in agreement. "And make sure to listen to her. Girls love that."
Neel sighed, the weight of his next challenge settling in. But as he looked at DNS and Lily, he couldn't help but feel a little more confident. With their support, he could face anything—even a first date.
As the trio walked off into the evening, the campus bathed in soft moonlight, Neel couldn't help but smile. Courage, he realized, wasn't about grand gestures or daring feats. Sometimes, it was found in the smallest moments—in the courage to speak, to try, and to take that first step.