Evelyn didn't know how long she and Adrian stood by the fountain, their hands loosely clasped as the night air settled around them.
The weight of her conversation with her mother still pressed against her chest, but Adrian's presence steadied her. He wasn't saying much, and for once, she didn't need him to.
After a while, she let out a breath and turned to him. "I didn't think tonight would go like this."
Adrian curled an eyebrow. "Which part? The emotionally draining family conversation or the part where you're holding my hand and haven't let go yet?"
Evelyn blinked, heat creeping up her neck as she realized he was right—her fingers were still curled around his. She quickly pulled away, clearing her throat. "I—I was just—"
Adrian chuckled, shoving his hands into his pockets. "Relax, Evie. I don't mind."
Her heart stuttered at the way he said that so easily. Like it was obvious. Like he wanted her touch just as much as she had unconsciously wanted his.
She crossed her arms, needing some kind of barrier between them before she completely lost her composure. "Anyway," she said, changing the subject, "I don't know what's going to happen with my mom. It still feels… complicated."
Adrian nodded, his playful expression softening. "That's normal. You don't have to have all the answers right now."
Evelyn sighed. "I know. I just—I don't know if I trust her. I want to believe she means it when she says she wants to fix things, but… it's hard."
Adrian was quiet for a moment before he asked, "Do you want to trust her?"
She bit her lip, considering. "I think so. Or at least, I want to give her a chance. But I'm scared that if I let my guard down, it's just going to end the same way it always does."
Adrian took a slow breath. "Then take it one step at a time. You don't have to let her in just yet. Start with small steps. If she means what she said, she'll prove it."
Evelyn stared at him, warmth spreading in her chest. "How do you always know what to say?"
Adrian smirked. "What can I say? I'm a genius."
She rolled her eyes, shoving him lightly. "Okay, that's enough of that."
But even as she joked, she felt lighter. Maybe she didn't have to figure everything out right now. Maybe, for the first time in a long time, it was okay to not have all the answers.
Midnight Talks
By the time they made it back to the dorms, the halls were mostly quiet, the usual late-night chatter reduced to a few murmurs from other students lingering in the common areas.
Evelyn unlocked her door and hesitated. She turned to Adrian, who was lingering beside her, hands still in his pockets.
"Do you… want to come in for a bit?" she asked before she could overthink it.
Adrian raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips. "Are you inviting me into your room at midnight, Evie?"
Evelyn groaned. "Okay, I'll take it back. Go home."
Adrian chuckled but stepped inside anyway, closing the door behind him. "Too late. You already offered."
She shook her head, but there was no real annoyance in it. She walked over to her bed and sat down, hugging one of her pillows. Adrian, meanwhile, flopped onto the chair by her desk, spinning slightly before coming to a stop.
"So," he said, stretching his legs out. "Tell me what's going on in that overactive brain of yours."
Evelyn exhaled, looking down at the pillow in her lap. "It's just… weird. This whole thing with my mom. For so long, I convinced myself that she didn't care. That she was too selfish to even try to fix things." She swallowed. "But today, she seemed… different."
Adrian nodded, watching her carefully. "And that scares you."
She looked up, meeting his gaze. "Yeah."
Adrian leaned forward, resting his arms on his knees. "You don't have to trust her right away, Evie. And you don't have to forgive her yet either. If she's serious about making things right, she'll understand that it takes time."
Evelyn studied him, something tightening in her chest. "How are you so good at this?"
He shrugged. "What, listening?"
"Yeah. And knowing what to say. And just… being here."
Adrian smiled, but there was something in his eyes—something unreadable. "Because I care." His voice was soft, but it sent shivers down her spine.
Evelyn's fingers tightened around the pillow. "Adrian…"
He tilted his head, waiting.
She wanted to say something. She wasn't even sure what. Maybe that she was grateful for him, that she didn't know what she'd do without him. Maybe she wanted to admit how much she had come to rely on him. Maybe she just wanted to hear him say her name again.
Instead, she said, "I don't deserve you."
Adrian blinked, his brows furrowing. "What?"
She looked down. "You're always there for me, always saying the right things. And I just—sometimes I feel like I take and take, and I don't give enough back."
Adrian was quiet for a moment, then stood up, walking over to her. Before she could react, he reached out and tilted her chin up, forcing her to meet his gaze.
"Evie," he said, voice low but firm. "That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard."
She blinked. "Excuse me?"
He huffed a quiet laugh, his thumb brushing against her jaw for just a second before he pulled back. "You don't have to 'give something back' to deserve care, okay? You matter, Evie. And I'm here because I want to be."
Her breath caught. He was so close now, his expression serious but soft. The warmth of his hand still lingered against her skin.
Slowly, she nodded. "Okay."
Adrian held her gaze a moment longer, then smiled. "Good."
And maybe… she didn't mind.