Finding light in the darkest places—through love-Chapter 102 – Noticing the Shift

By the second day back, it wasn't just Evelyn who felt the shift.

It was in the small things—the kind of things that normally flew under the radar unless you were paying attention. Apparently, some people were.

It started during their first study group session.

Evelyn and Adrian arrived at the same time, not unusual in itself. But instead of sitting across from each other like they normally would, Adrian dropped his backpack next to Evelyn's chair without hesitation, claiming the spot beside her. Close enough that when he leaned over to make a joke about the assignment, his arm brushed hers.

Sophie, one of the girls in their group, blinked twice and gave Evelyn a little look—half curiosity, half amusement. Evelyn pretended not to notice, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear and focusing fiercely on her notes.

It didn't help that Adrian seemed... relaxed. Easier in his movements. Like he wasn't even thinking about how casually close he was to her.

When Evelyn pointed something out in the reading, Adrian didn't just nod like he usually did. He smiled at her, a real, unguarded smile that softened the sharp lines of his face, one that lingered a second too long.

Another look from Sophie.

Another sudden, suspicious glance from Marcus, who sat across from them, eyebrows raising subtly.

By the time the session ended, Evelyn's cheeks were warm and she had no idea what had been discussed in the last twenty minutes.

As they packed up their things, Sophie nudged Evelyn lightly with her elbow. "Hey, some of us are grabbing coffee at the café across the quad. You guys wanna come?"

She emphasized you guys just enough that Evelyn caught the implication.

Before she could answer, Adrian shrugged easily. "Sure, if Evelyn's going."

There was no teasing in his tone—just quiet certainty, like it was obvious that where she went, he'd follow.

Evelyn's stomach did a somersault.

"Okay," she said, trying not to sound breathless. "Yeah, let's go."

The café was bustling, full of students hunched over laptops or clustered in booths with lattes and pastries. Sophie led the way to a corner table, and Evelyn found herself squished next to Adrian again, no complaints from either of them.

As they chatted about classes and professors, Evelyn noticed it happening again: small, unconscious things.

Adrian would tilt his head slightly whenever Evelyn spoke, giving her his full attention. If someone made a joke that made her laugh, Adrian's mouth would tug up in response, like her happiness was infectious. When she shivered slightly from the drafty window, he offered his hoodie without a word, only raising an eyebrow in silent question.

She shook her head with a grateful smile, but the gesture alone made something in her chest go soft.

At one point, Marcus leaned forward with a grin. "So, uh—" he said, eyes flicking between them. "When's the wedding?"

Evelyn nearly choked on her coffee. Adrian just snorted, utterly unbothered.

"Very funny," Adrian said dryly, nudging Evelyn's foot under the table like a secret.

Sophie laughed, but her gaze lingered a little longer. "Seriously though... you two seem different. Like... closer."

Adrian shrugged one shoulder. "Guess we just missed each other over break."

Simple. Easy. A truth tucked inside a casual lie.

Evelyn looked down at her cup, smiling into the steam.

Missed each other.

Yeah. That didn't even begin to cover it.

Later that afternoon, as they walked back toward the dorms, Evelyn finally said, "You know people are noticing, right?"

Adrian slid his hands into his pockets. "Yeah?"

"You don't mind?"

He looked over at her, the winter sun catching in the lighter strands of his hair. "Should I?"

Evelyn hesitated. "I don't know. I just... it's different now. And people are picking up on it."

Adrian's lips twitched. "Maybe because it is different."

The honesty of it sent a small, sweet shock through her.

They paused at the walkway where their paths would usually split—Evelyn's dorm one way, Adrian's the other.

For a heartbeat, neither of them moved.

Adrian shifted a little closer, his voice low. "Are you okay with it?"

She could feel the heat of him, the steadiness. It would be so easy to step forward, to let her hand find his.

Instead, she smiled, small but sure. "Yeah," she said. "I'm okay with it."

Adrian's shoulders eased, like he hadn't realized he was tense until that moment.

He opened his mouth to say something else—but then someone called his name across the quad, breaking the moment.

Adrian sighed, glancing over his shoulder. "Duty calls," he muttered. He hesitated a second longer, then added, softer, "See you later?"

"Yeah," Evelyn said again, heart hammering. "Later."

She watched him jog off to meet whoever had called him, feeling lighter somehow.

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Something had shifted between them, and it wasn't just in private anymore.

It was real. It was visible.

And she wasn't afraid of it.

Not anymore.