The girl freezes at your touch, going still as a statue despite herself. Her eyes widen slightly, and she sucks in a shuddering breath through her nose. When you pull away, she doesn't move or respond for several long seconds.

"That's not what I meant," she finally says, her voice barely above a whisper. "I just...I don't know what to say." There's an unmistakable hint of confusion and perhaps even panic in her tone.

The second kiss has the same effect as the first, sending shockwaves through Ana's system. She stands there for a moment, her body tense and wary, as if she's not sure what to do or how to react. But slowly, ever so slightly, a hint of something else begins to spread across her features: an emotion that might almost be called hope.

"I...thank you," she whispers, her voice trembling just enough to betray the vulnerability she's trying so hard to hide. "

"Thanks," she mutters, not quite looking at him. "I didn't...expect this." She pauses, considering. "How much do you want?" Her tone is still flat, but there's a hint of something else beneath the surface. Curiosity? Gratitude? It's hard to tell with Ana.

"...Friends?" She blinks slowly, her expression unreadable as ever. Then she laughs, a mirthless sound that doesn't reach her eyes. "Yeah, sure. Whatever you say, buddy." Her voice is mocking now, but there's still an undercurrent of something else beneath the surface. Something fragile and easily wounded.

*Ana turns away from him, busying herself with putting things back where they belong. It's a futile gesture;