The library was quieter than Amara had expected for a Thursday evening. She slipped between rows of tall wooden shelves, carrying her notebook and the textbook she had borrowed earlier that day. Lara had teased her for being "too eager" about the assignment, but Amara didn't mind. She had promised Adrian she would meet him here, and something about that simple agreement had kept her restless all afternoon.
The tables near the center were mostly occupied, clusters of students whispering or bent over their laptops. Amara spotted Adrian easily. He sat alone at a corner table, posture relaxed yet focused, flipping through a thick volume with one hand while jotting down notes with the other. His hair fell slightly over his forehead, and the faint glow of the overhead lamp sharpened his jawline.
She paused a moment, gathering her courage before approaching.
"Hey," she said softly, sliding into the chair across from him.
Adrian looked up briefly, then nodded. "Hi."
That was it no smile, no long greeting. Just "hi." But Amara didn't mind. She opened her notebook, pretending to busy herself with her pen, even though her heart had leapt just from that tiny acknowledgment.
"So, um… I thought we could divide the research," she began carefully. "Maybe you take the first two sections, and I can handle the next? Then we'll compare notes later."
Adrian's pen paused mid-scribble. His gaze lifted, meeting hers for a few seconds longer than usual. "That works."
The way he said it calm, deliberate wasn't dismissive. It was just… steady.
Encouraged, Amara pushed a little further. "Do you like biology? Or is it just… a requirement?"
He leaned back slightly, eyes drifting to the book in front of him. "It's fine. Not my favorite. But I don't hate it."
Amara almost laughed. That was more than one sentence. It felt like progress. She bit the inside of her cheek to hide her smile and jotted something meaningless in her notebook.
Minutes passed in silence, the air thick with concentration or maybe with something else. Every now and then, Adrian would shift in his seat, flipping a page, or quietly typing something into his laptop. Amara, however, found it impossible to focus. Her eyes kept tracing the curve of his profile, the way his fingers tapped lightly on the table whenever he thought.
Finally, she cleared her throat. "You're… really focused."
This time, Adrian actually smiled just a flicker, but real. "Isn't that the point?"
Amara froze, her pulse quickening. His voice was deeper when softened by humor, and she had to force herself not to stare. "True," she managed. "But still… impressive."
He didn't respond, but she could swear the corner of his mouth tilted upward for a moment longer before he turned back to his book.
They continued working, though "working" was generous for Amara. She scribbled half-formed notes while stealing glances at Adrian. He was reserved, yes, but not unkind. His quietness wasn't coldness; it was just… him.
After about an hour, she stretched, leaning back in her chair. "Okay, I think my brain's shutting down. How about you?"
Adrian closed his notebook neatly, sliding his pen into place. "Same."
"Great," Amara said, trying to keep her voice light. "Maybe we can meet again this weekend? Compare what we've got so far?"
For a moment, she thought he might hesitate, but he simply nodded. "Saturday. Afternoon."
Her lips curved before she could stop herself. "Perfect."
They began packing up in silence. Amara's heart raced as she shoved her books into her bag, trying not to seem too eager. Just when she thought the evening was ending, Adrian spoke again voluntarily this time.
"Do you usually study in the library?"
Amara blinked, surprised. "Sometimes. Depends on my roommates' moods."
He gave a short, thoughtful hum. "Makes sense."
It wasn't much, but it was something....something that felt like a door cracking open just a little wider.
They walked out of the library together, their steps echoing in the near-empty hall. Outside, the campus air was cool, tinged with the scent of freshly cut grass. The night was quiet, the kind of quiet that made every word, every gesture, feel heavier than it should.
Amara slowed, glancing sideways at Adrian. She wanted to say something more, anything to prolong the moment. But before she could, he stopped at the path that branched off toward the dorms.
"See you Saturday," he said simply.
Then he walked away, leaving her standing there, the echo of his words swirling around her like a secret.
Amara hugged her notebook closer to her chest, unable to stop the smile spreading across her face. It wasn't much just a study plan, just a few extra sentences but to her, it was enough to set her imagination ablaze.
She didn't notice until later that as Adrian had turned, the lamplight caught on his wristwatch. It glimmered briefly before disappearing into the dark, and somehow, that fleeting detail stuck in her mind.
Something about him lingered, like an unfinished thought she couldn't let go of.