The days following that small gesture, Mia found herself distracted during classes and study sessions. Her thoughts kept drifting back to Liam's quiet smile, the warmth of his touch—a touch she had barely acknowledged in the moment.
One afternoon, while reviewing their notes in a quiet corner of the library, Mia wondered aloud, "Why does this feel so different with you? I'm not used to... this."
Liam looked up, eyes serious but kind. "Maybe because it's not just about rivalry anymore."
Confusion mixed with something tender inside her as she realized her feelings were shifting, but she wasn't sure what that shift meant—or what it meant for their future.
Determined to stay focused, Mia pushed the thoughts aside, but deep down, she knew things between them would never be the same.