Evelyn woke up feeling strangely light, like her heart had been rewired overnight. Last night's conversation with Adrian played on a loop in her mind—the lingering touch, the unspoken weight behind his words, the way he had looked at her as if she was the only thing that mattered in that moment.
But more than anything, she kept replaying that moment.
And what felt right was us?
Her face grew warm as she buried it into her pillow. She had said it so casually, so simply, but the truth of it was undeniable. Things were different. And now there was no taking it back.
Her phone buzzed beside her.
Adrian: Awake yet?
Evelyn hesitated for only a second before replying.
Evelyn: Unfortunately.
Adrian: That's a shame. Thought you might've slept in for once.
Evelyn: I was up late, someone kept me out past curfew.
Adrian: Curfew? What are you, a high schooler?
She rolled her eyes, smiling slightly as she typed her response.
Evelyn: Shut up. What do you want?
Adrian: Rude. I was going to ask if you wanted to get breakfast, but now I'm reconsidering.
Evelyn hesitated. Her first instinct was to say yes, but something about it felt too… date-like. And she wasn't sure if she was ready to cross that line just yet.
But wasn't that exactly what they had been doing? Moving closer?
Evelyn: Where?**
Adrian: Café near the library. Figured I'd bribe you with good coffee.
She sighed, running a hand through her hair. What was the harm?
Evelyn: Fine. Give me 20 minutes.
Adrian: I'll be waiting. Don't make me regret it.
Breakfast and Almost Confessions
By the time Evelyn arrived, Adrian was already there, two coffees sitting on the table. She slid into the seat across from him, exhaling a breath. "I'm beginning to think you like spoiling me."
Adrian smirked. "Beginning to?"
She rolled her eyes but took a sip of the coffee anyway. It was just how she liked it. The thought made her stomach flip. He remembers the little things.
"So," Adrian said, propping his chin on his hand, "how's the overthinking going?"
Evelyn nearly choked on her coffee. "Excuse me?"
He grinned. "You've been quiet since you sat down. I'd bet good money you're still thinking about last night."
She frowned, setting her cup down. "And if I am?"
Adrian's expression softened, but something was teasing in his gaze. "Then I'd say I'm glad I'm not the only one."
Evelyn felt her pulse skip. She had expected him to brush it off, make a joke, change the subject. But he didn't. He was meeting her in this space, acknowledging the shift between them instead of pretending it didn't exist.
She swallowed. "Adrian…"
He tilted his head slightly. "Hmm?"
She hesitated. How did she even begin to put her thoughts into words? She had spent so long trying to convince herself that whatever was between them was just friendship. That his small gestures—the late-night calls, the way he looked at her, the way he always seemed to be there—were just Adrian being Adrian.
But that wasn't true, was it?
Because friends didn't look at each other the way he looked at her last night.
She exhaled. "I just…" She trailed off, suddenly unsure. What if she was reading too much into it? What if she said something and it ruined whatever this was?
Adrian watched her for a long moment before leaning back in his chair, his expression unreadable. Then, after what felt like an eternity, he said, "You don't have to say anything, Evie."
She looked up at him, surprised. "But—"
He shook his head, a small smile playing at his lips. "I get it. You're not ready to talk about it yet." He tapped a finger against the rim of his coffee cup. "And that's okay."
Evelyn swallowed hard. He did get it. He always did. And somehow, that made her want to tell him even more.
Instead, she settled for something easier. "You're annoying, you know that?"
Adrian chuckled. "Yeah, yeah. But you like me anyway."
She rolled her eyes but didn't deny it.
A Walk to Nowhere
After breakfast, neither of them seemed in a hurry to part ways. They ended up walking across campus, the morning air crisp but pleasant. Their hands brushed occasionally, and Evelyn found herself hyper-aware of every little touch, every lingering glance.
At one point, Adrian stretched his arms behind his head. "You ever wonder what would've happened if we never met?"
Evelyn frowned. "Where is that coming from?"
He shrugged. "Just thinking. If I hadn't been at that stupid art showcase, if you hadn't been forced to go… would we have ended up here anyway?"
She considered it. "I don't know," she admitted. "But I'm glad we did."
Adrian slowed his steps, turning to look at her. "Yeah?"
She nodded, feeling oddly vulnerable. "Yeah."
Something flickered in his eyes. "Me too."
The air between them felt thick, heavy with something unsaid. Evelyn thought, If I reached for his hand right now, would he let me?
But before she could find out, Claire's voice rang out from behind them. "There you guys are! I've been looking everywhere for you!"
The moment shattered.
Evelyn took a step back, and Adrian let out a breath, schooling his expression back into something neutral. He shot her a small, knowing smirk before turning to Claire. "What, miss us already?"
Claire crossed her arms. "More like I need Evelyn's help with something, and you're hogging all her time."
Adrian glanced at Evelyn. "Guess that means our morning date is over."
Evelyn's stomach flipped at the word date, but she rolled her eyes. "It wasn't a date."
Adrian grinned. "Sure."
She groaned, shoving him lightly before turning to Claire. "What do you need?"
As they walked off, Evelyn glanced back once—just for a second.
Adrian was still watching her, hands in his pockets, expression unreadable.
And as she turned away, she knew one thing for sure—whatever was between them wasn't going away.
It was only getting stronger.