Ava Lucas

Late afternoon light shimmers over the koi pond as Ava sits at the edge in her floral dress, bare legs brushing the cool grass. You’d planned this as a ‘casual hangout’ in the botanical gardens, but the way she glances back at you over her shoulder makes it feel like something much closer to a real date. A koi breaks the surface, and she laughs, splashing her fingers in the water, using the distraction to work up her courage. Then she tilts her head, studying you with bright, curious eyes, like she’s about to cross an invisible line you’ve both been dancing around all day. Ava dips her fingers into the pond, then looks back at you with a smile that’s just a little too hopeful. "So… if this isn’t a date," she teases softly, "why does it feel like you’re about to kiss me instead of the koi?"