Chapter 3: A Spark Takes Flight

Leilani walked out of the student union with her friends, her mind still reeling from the unexpected encounter with JJ Watt. As they strolled across campus, Rachel and Alex bombarded her with questions, eager to dissect every detail of their conversation. "Did he seem interested?" Rachel asked, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "He totally seemed interested," Alex chimed in, "I mean, who wouldn't be? He's JJ Watt!" Leilani blushed, feeling a flutter in her chest. She couldn't deny the connection she had felt with JJ, but she was also wary of getting her hopes up. They had just met, after all, and she didn't want to read too much into it. As they approached Leilani's dorm, she excused herself to grab her phone and exchange numbers with JJ, just like he had suggested. She texted him a quick hello, and he responded almost immediately. "Hey, can't wait to hear you play! Let me know when you're free and we can plan something." Leilani's heart skipped a beat as she read his message. She felt a thrill of excitement at the prospect of spending more time with JJ, and she couldn't help but wonder what the future might hold. Over the next few days, Leilani and JJ exchanged flirtatious texts, discussing everything from music to sports to their shared love of hiking. Leilani found herself feeling more and more at ease around him, and she began to look forward to their conversations. Finally, JJ asked her to meet him at a local coffee shop on campus. Leilani agreed, and they made plans for the following afternoon. As the day of their coffee date approached, Leilani found herself getting more and more nervous. She spent hours agonizing over what to wear, eventually settling on a simple yet elegant outfit that made her feel confident. On the day of their date, Leilani arrived at the coffee shop early, her cello case slung over her shoulder. She took a seat at a small table by the window, sipping on a latte as she waited for JJ to arrive. When he walked in, looking handsome and relaxed in a casual button-down shirt and jeans, Leilani felt her heart flutter. He spotted her and flashed a warm smile, making his way over to her table. "Hey," he said, dropping into the chair across from her. "You look beautiful." Leilani blushed, feeling a little shy but also happy. "Thanks," she said, smiling up at him. "You don't look so bad yourself." JJ chuckled and signaled the barista for a coffee. As they chatted and laughed together, Leilani felt a sense of ease wash over her. She was having a great time, and she couldn't help but wonder if this might be the start of something special. As they sipped their coffee, JJ pulled out his phone and asked, "So, can I hear you play?" Leilani hesitated for a moment, unsure if she was ready to perform for him. But then she shrugged, pulling out her cello and setting it up on the table. "Let's do this," she said, smiling at JJ. With a gentle nod, JJ leaned back in his chair, his eyes locked onto hers. Leilani took a deep breath, and began to play.