The afternoon sun streamed through the classroom windows, painting golden streaks across Racheal's notebook. She tried to focus on the lecture, but her mind kept wandering to last night—the quiet walk with Declan, the way he had looked at her, and the gentle assurance in his voice.
By the time the class ended, her thoughts were tangled. She packed her bag slowly, lingering in her seat, hoping that Declan would notice her hesitation.
He did.
"Walking to the library?" he asked, falling in step beside her. His presence was calm yet magnetic, like a tide she couldn't resist.
Racheal nodded, forcing a small smile. "Yes… want to come?"
"Always," he replied softly, and for a moment, the world around them seemed to fade.
They walked in companionable silence through the campus, the hum of student chatter around them fading into a distant background. When they reached a quiet corner near the gardens, Declan finally spoke.
"You're quiet today," he observed, eyes scanning her face gently.
Racheal shrugged, feeling the warmth of his attention. "Just… thinking."
Declan smiled faintly. "About me?"
Her cheeks burned, but she didn't deny it. Instead, she glanced away, hoping he wouldn't notice. He did.
"You can look at me," he said softly, reaching out to brush a stray curl from her face. "I don't bite."
Racheal laughed nervously, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly. "I know."
He stepped closer, lowering his voice. "Racheal… I know things haven't been easy. The rumors, the whispers… the past. But I want you to know—everything I've done, every moment I've been here—it's always been because of you. Not out of curiosity. Not as a game. Just… because I care."
Her heart pounded in her chest. The sincerity in his voice was impossible to ignore. She wanted to speak, to explain her fears, her hesitations, everything bottled inside her, but the words caught in her throat.
Declan waited patiently, his eyes never leaving hers. "You don't have to say anything," he added quietly. "Just… feel it. Let yourself trust it, even a little."
Racheal's lips parted, and a small sigh escaped her. She allowed herself to reach for his hand tentatively. His fingers intertwined with hers effortlessly, and for the first time in weeks, she felt grounded.
"I… I want to trust you," she whispered finally. "I'm just… afraid."
He tightened his grip gently, his thumb brushing over the back of her hand. "I know. And it's okay to be afraid. But I'm not going anywhere. Not now. Not ever."
Her chest warmed, and tears threatened to spill—not from sadness, but from relief. Someone saw her. Really saw her, and wasn't trying to use her fears against her.
They stayed there for a while, hands clasped, sharing a quiet connection that didn't require words. Around them, the campus continued its noisy rhythm, but in that small garden corner, it was just the two of them.
When they finally pulled away, Racheal felt a sense of calm she hadn't felt in months. The world might still whisper, might still judge, but at least here—now—she had someone she could count on.
Declan gave her a small, reassuring smile. "Come on," he said, looping an arm lightly with hers. "Let's get some fresh air. I think we both need it."
And as they walked together, side by side, Racheal realized something she hadn't allowed herself to before: maybe she didn't have to face the world alone.