Love Unscripted

Writer:Adekunle Oluwadarasimi

Chapter 1 Love Unscripted

Scene 1: The First Lesson

Dora adjusted her glasses, scanning the neatly organized notes in front of her. The college library was quiet, save for the occasional whispers of students and the soft rustling of pages. She took a breath, preparing herself for the tutoring session ahead.

Then, the door opened, and Daniel walked in.

He wasn’t just another student in need of help—he was the star basketball player, known for his effortless charm and devastatingly handsome looks. Tall, with dark curls that always seemed slightly tousled, he had a smile that made people weak in the knees.

But Dora was his tutor. Nothing more.

“Hey,” Daniel said smoothly, setting his books down as he slid into the chair across from her. His deep brown eyes held a warmth that made her pulse quicken.

“Hi,” she replied, forcing herself to focus. “Ready to get started?”

Daniel chuckled. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”

Dora straightened her notes, determined to remain professional. “We’re going to go over the last lecture—”

“Right,” he cut in, but his gaze wasn’t on the notes. It was on her.

A slow smile tugged at his lips. “You always this serious?”

Dora’s heart skipped a beat, but she masked it with a raised brow. “You always this distracted?”

Daniel grinned. “Only when my tutor looks this pretty.”

Her breath hitched. This was dangerous territory. But something about the way he looked at her, like she was more than just a tutor, sent a thrill down her spine.

She cleared her throat. “Focus, Daniel.”

“Yes, ma’am,” he said, but there was mischief in his eyes.

Scene 2: The Rainy Walk Home

After an hour of studying, the session ended. They packed up, and Dora was about to leave when she noticed the storm outside. Rain poured down, drenching the campus walkways.

“You have an umbrella?” Daniel asked, standing beside her.

Dora shook her head.

Without hesitation, Daniel pulled off his hoodie and handed it to her.

“Wear this,” he said.

Dora hesitated. “I can’t take your hoodie.”

“Sure, you can.” His voice was gentle. “I won’t let you get soaked.”

She slipped it on, inhaling the faint scent of his cologne. It smelled like cedar and something undeniably him.

They walked together, the rain pattering against the pavement. Dora tried to ignore the way her heart fluttered, but when Daniel moved closer, shielding her from the worst of the downpour, she felt her resolve cracking.

“You’re sweet,” she admitted.

Daniel turned to her, his gaze intense. “Only for you.”

Her breath caught. He wasn’t joking.

Scene 3: The Almost Kiss

They stopped outside her dorm, rain still falling around them. Dora reached for the hoodie’s hood, intending to return it, but Daniel caught her hand.

“Keep it,” he murmured. “It looks good on you.”

Dora’s lips parted, her heart hammering. She knew she should step back, create distance, but Daniel was close—too close.

His fingers lightly brushed against her wrist, sending shivers up her arm.

“Dora,” he said softly.

She didn’t know who moved first, but suddenly, they were inches apart. His breath was warm against her skin, his gaze dropping to her lips.

For a moment, everything faded—the rain, the cold, the world around them.

Then—

A door creaked open nearby, breaking the moment.

Dora took a step back, her breath shaky.

Daniel exhaled, running a hand through his wet hair. “Guess I should go.”

She nodded, though a part of her didn’t want him to.

“Goodnight, tutor,” he teased, flashing her a crooked smile before turning away.

Dora touched her lips, feeling the heat still lingering in the air.

She was in trouble.

Scene 4: The First Real Date

The next tutoring session was different. Tension hummed between them, thick and undeniable. Daniel was no longer just the student who needed help—he was the boy she was slowly, helplessly falling for.

And he knew it.

“Let’s take a break,” he suggested after an hour. “Come on, tutor, let me take you out.”

Dora hesitated. “Daniel, we can’t—”

“Why not?” His voice was gentle, persuasive. “We’re just two people grabbing a bite. Nothing official.”

But it was official. It was the start of something she wouldn’t be able to stop.

Still, she found herself nodding.

They walked to a small café off-campus, tucked away from the usual student spots. The lighting was soft, the atmosphere cozy. Daniel ordered for both of them, remembering exactly how she liked her coffee.

“You pay attention,” she noted.

“I pay attention to you,” he corrected.

She looked away, hiding her smile.

They talked for hours—about dreams, fears, and everything in between. Daniel wasn’t just the confident athlete everyone saw. He was thoughtful, funny, and surprisingly vulnerable.

And when he reached across the table, intertwining their fingers, Dora didn’t pull away.

Scene 5: The Kiss Under the Stars

The night ended too soon. They walked back slowly, neither wanting to say goodbye.

When they reached her dorm again, Daniel hesitated. Then, before she could second-guess, he cupped her face, his thumb brushing gently along her cheek.

“I’ve wanted to do this since the first day,” he admitted.

Dora’s breath hitched. “Then do it.”

He didn’t need to be told twice.

His lips met hers, warm and soft, sending shivers through her body. He kissed her slowly, savoring the moment, as if he had all the time in the world.

Dora melted into him, her hands gripping his shirt as he deepened the kiss.

When they finally pulled apart, Daniel rested his forehead against hers, smiling.

“Guess this means you like me too, huh?” he teased.

Dora laughed, breathless. “Maybe a little.”

Daniel smirked. “I’ll take it.”

And as they stood there, wrapped in each other’s arms under the starry sky, Dora knew—this was just the beginning.

⸻