The air outside the campus carried a different kind of freedom. It was Saturday afternoon, and the bustle of the week had finally begun to loosen its grip on Amara. She wanted nothing complicated just a quick meal before she locked herself in her dorm to finish some readings. Her stomach had been protesting since morning, and the thought of a warm plate of pasta and maybe something sweet was all the encouragement she needed to step into the little restaurant just across from the main gate.
The place wasn't crowded. Soft music drifted from a speaker near the counter, and the air smelled faintly of garlic and freshly baked bread. She walked toward the cashier, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, already rehearsing what she'd order. But as she shifted her gaze to the corner of the restaurant, her steps faltered.
There he was. Adrian.
Her heart stuttered in her chest before it picked up its pace, as if her body wanted to run but her legs refused to move. He was seated at a table near the window, sunlight casting a soft glow on his sharp profile. For once, he wasn't alone. Two guys sat with him, both laughing at something one of them had just said.
Amara froze for half a second before quickly turning her eyes away, pretending she hadn't noticed. She didn't want to appear like she was staring. Still, her pulse thrummed loudly in her ears, as though the room had suddenly shrunk. She told herself it was nothing... just coincidence. They both had every right to be there. She would grab her food, sit somewhere far, and leave without a scene.
But fate, it seemed, had other plans.
As she waited for her order near the counter, a movement drew her attention. Adrian looked up from his seat, and for the briefest moment, their eyes locked. His expression didn't change much, but there was something in the way his gaze lingered. It was steady, calm, almost unreadable but undeniably there.
And then, just as Amara was convincing herself he would simply look away, Adrian did something she wasn't prepared for. He spoke.
"Amara."
Her name left his lips with quiet ease, but it carried across the room like a small shockwave. She blinked, stunned, turning slightly as if to confirm she had heard correctly. His friends stopped mid-laughter, both of them looking first at Adrian, then at her, curiosity lighting up their faces.
Amara's throat tightened. She swallowed quickly, willing her voice to sound normal. "Hi."
Adrian gave a single nod, a small acknowledgment, but it was enough to send warmth rushing to her cheeks. What unsettled her more was the way his friends reacted like they had just witnessed something rare.
"Wait, wait," one of them said, grinning broadly. He was tall, with sandy hair and a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Did you just greet someone? Out loud?"
The other guy chuckled, shaking his head in mock disbelief. "This is new. Adrian, man, don't tell me you've been hiding people from us."
Amara felt the weight of their attention shift toward her, but not in a hostile way. They were curious, amused even. She hesitated for a moment, then gave them a polite smile.
Adrian, unfazed by their teasing, leaned back in his chair and spoke in that calm, even tone of his. "This is Amara. She's my project partner."
There was something so casual in the way he said it, yet to Amara, it felt monumental. Not only had he greeted her...he had introduced her.
The first friend extended a hand toward her. "Damian," he said warmly. "Nice to meet you."
The second followed with an easy smile. "Luke. Don't let Adrian scare you off, he doesn't usually talk to strangers."
"Or anyone at all," Damian added with a smirk.
Amara let out a soft laugh, her nerves easing slightly as she shook their hands. "It's nice to meet you both."
Her order was called then, but for some reason, her feet didn't carry her away as quickly as she had planned. Instead, she lingered a moment longer, feeling the quiet weight of Adrian's gaze on her. He wasn't smiling, not exactly, but there was something in his eyes...something that made her pulse stumble again.
"You're… here to eat?" Adrian asked simply, his voice as steady as always.
"Yes," she managed. "Just grabbing something before heading back."
There was silence, but not the uncomfortable kind. It was the sort of pause that stretched gently, like an unanswered question. Damian and Luke exchanged amused glances, clearly entertained by their friend's unusual willingness to engage.
"Well," Damian said finally, leaning forward with an exaggerated whisper, "you're always welcome to sit with us. I promise, we don't bite."
Luke chuckled, nudging Adrian playfully. "Except maybe him. But don't worry, he only bites when provoked."
Amara laughed again, though her gaze flickered briefly to Adrian. He didn't react to his friends' antics, but his eyes hadn't left her either.
She felt the air tighten around her chest, the familiar mixture of nerves and excitement swirling inside. Part of her wanted to accept Damian's invitation and join them. Another part...the more cautious one urged her to retreat, to keep her distance until she understood exactly what she was stepping into.
Her food tray was placed on the counter then, rescuing her from having to decide immediately. She offered them all a small smile. "Thanks, but I should probably just eat quickly. Lots of reading to catch up on."
Adrian gave a slow nod, as though her answer didn't surprise him. His friends didn't press, though Damian's grin suggested he'd have plenty to tease Adrian about later.
As Amara carried her tray to a small table across the room, she felt the pull of their presence like gravity itself. She couldn't stop herself from sneaking a glance at their corner. Damian was talking animatedly again, Luke laughing, and Adrian...Adrian was simply listening, his profile calm, eyes once more cast down at the table.
Yet she couldn't shake the fact that, just minutes ago, he had said her name. Out loud. In front of his friends. And for some reason, that felt like the start of something she couldn't quite put into words.
Her fork hovered above her plate as she realized it. It wasn't much. It wasn't even what most people would consider a sign. But for her, it was enough. Enough to keep her heart restless, enough to make her wonder what might come next.
And as she sat there, pretending to focus on her food, she couldn't help but think...what if today had changed something she couldn't yet see?