Ashcroft stood there a while after Iris disappeared behind the door, staring at the space where she'd been. The street was quiet, dusk leaking into night, and the warmth from the afternoon had already started to vanish.
He could still feel the shape of her hand in his. The way her smile had hesitated, just slightly, before she'd turned away.
When he finally moved, it was slow. Like his limbs weren't convinced.
Back in his dorm, he didn't turn on the lights. He just dropped his coat on the chair, loosened his tie, and sat on the edge of his bed, staring at the floor. His bag lay untouched in the corner. The stack of assignments on his desk, ignored.
He wasn't tired. He was full. Too full. Of words he hadn't said.
A soft buzz from his phone pulled him back. He checked it.
Iris: I forgot to give your glove back. Remind me tomorrow.
He stared at the message. Typed something. Deleted it. Typed again: It's fine. Looks better on you.
Three dots appeared. Then vanished.
She didn't reply.
He let the phone drop beside him, flopped backward onto the bed, and stared at the ceiling.
-
The next morning, Ashcroft was early. Earlier than usual. The halls were still mostly empty when he walked into the language building, hoping he could avoid most people.
He didn't.
Iris was already there. Same corner of the hallway. Same seat. Elbows on her knees, hair loosely tied back, staring at nothing.
He approached slowly, unsure.
She noticed him without looking. "Didn't expect you this early."
"I couldn't sleep."
"Shocker."
He sat beside her.
They were quiet for a long stretch. Comfortable, almost.
Then she turned to him. "I wasn't avoiding you last night. Just so you know."
"I didn't think you were."
"Liar."
Ashcroft gave a tired smile. "Partial liar. Semi-liar."
She pulled his glove from her bag, held it out. "Here. Before I forget again."
He took it, but didn't put it on. Just rolled it between his fingers.
"Do you always carry around things that don't belong to you?"
"Only if they remind me of someone."
There was a beat of silence.
"Iris," he said. "What are we doing?"
"I'm waiting for class. You're doing… that broody thing you do."
"No, I mean us."
She leaned her head back against the wall. "We're not a formula, Ash. There's no neat answer."
He looked at her. Really looked. "Sometimes I think you're braver than I am."
She shrugged. "I've had more practice pretending."
He exhaled slowly. "I don't want to keep almost saying things."
Iris turned to him. "Then stop almost saying them."
But he didn't speak. And she didn't push.
The bell rang somewhere down the corridor.
Iris stood. "Walk with me?"
He nodded.
They walked together, side by side, not touching.
Close. But not close enough.
-