Finding light in the darkest places—through love-Chapter 79 – A Shift in the Air

Evelyn wasn't sure when the air between her and Adrian had changed, but it had. She could feel it in the way their conversations carried a different weight, in the way their silences felt less like gaps and more like something filled with unsaid words.

It wasn't awkward. Not exactly. But there was something unspoken resting between them, and Evelyn wasn't sure how much longer they could ignore it.

She sat in the campus library, pretending to study, but her thoughts kept wandering. Her phone sat face-up beside her, the screen dark, but she kept glancing at it anyway, waiting for a message that hadn't come yet.

A deep sigh escaped her lips, and from across the table, Claire raised an eyebrow. "Okay, spill. You've been staring at that book for fifteen minutes, and I'm pretty sure you haven't turned a single page."

Evelyn blinked, dragging herself back to reality. "I'm just distracted."

Claire smirked. "Let me guess. Adrian?"

Evelyn rolled her eyes, flipping a page just for show. "Not everything is about him."

"Right. And I suddenly hate shopping," Claire deadpanned. "Come on, Evie. You've been weird lately. And I know it's because of him."

Evelyn hesitated. "I don't know. It's just... something feels different."

Claire leaned in. "Different how?"

Evelyn exhaled, tapping her pen against the table. "Like something is coming. And I don't know whether I should brace myself for it or let it happen."

Claire studied her for a moment before shrugging. "You know, for someone as smart as you, you make things way more complicated than they need to be."

Evelyn shot her a look. "Helpful."

Claire smirked. "I try."

Late-Night Conversations

Later that night, as Evelyn lay in bed, her phone finally lit up with a familiar name.

Adrian: Can't sleep?

She hesitated before responding.

Evelyn: Not really. You?

Adrian: Same. Want to go for a walk?

It was late, and she should have said no. But the truth was, she wanted to see him.

Evelyn: Meet you outside in five.

The campus was quiet at this hour, the pathways bathed in soft, golden light from the lampposts. When she reached their usual spot near the fountain, Adrian was already there, hands tucked into his pockets, his gaze flickering as she approached.

"You're predictable," he said, a teasing lilt in his voice. "I knew you wouldn't say no."

Evelyn smirked. "And yet you still asked."

Adrian chuckled, tilting his head slightly as he watched her. "So, what's keeping you up?"

She hesitated, then decided to be honest. "You."

Adrian blinked, caught off guard. "...Me?"

Evelyn bit her lip. "I mean—this. Us. I feel like something's changed, and I don't know what to do about it."

Adrian exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah. I get that."

Silence stretched between them, but it wasn't uncomfortable. If anything, it felt charged.

Finally, Adrian spoke. "Maybe we don't have to do anything."

Evelyn frowned. "What do you mean?"

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He took a step closer, close enough that she could feel his warmth despite the cool night air. "Maybe we just... let it happen."

Evelyn's heart pounded. Let it happen.

She wasn't sure what that meant yet. But she had a feeling she was about to find out.

And for the first time in a long time, she wasn't afraid of it.