Chapter 35: Calm, Art & Study Chaos
(Lyra's POV)
The morning sunlight felt softer today, like it was quietly coaxing me out of bed. I adjusted the little star necklace Evan had given me, staring at it for a moment. It's silly how just a tiny piece of metal can calm me down so much.
I sighed and pulled on my sweater. Exams weren't over yet, but somehow the chaos from the past few weeks — the birthday, tutoring, teasing, flustered moments with Evan — felt… lighter now. Maybe I was finally starting to breathe.
By the time I reached Saint Valley High, the hallways were buzzing, but my steps were steadier. Evan spotted me immediately. Golden hair shining under the hallway lights, tall and impossibly perfect. He smirked and walked alongside me.
"Sol," he murmured, voice low, teasing. "You're looking… calm today. I like it."
I froze. My cheeks heated. "I… am?"
"Yeah," he said, brushing past my shoulder, just slightly, enough to make my heart stutter. "It's… nice."
I swallowed hard, nodding, and hurried to the art club room. Today we were decorating the winter mural for a charity project. My friends were already there, Soraya and Saphira fussing over supplies, Aveline quietly holding Cassian's hand while he hovered, pretending to help me pick colors.
"Okay, lyra," Cassian said, smirking, "let's see if your artistic skills are as good as your exam luck."
I rolled my eyes but smiled, dipping my brush into the pale blue paint. Soraya nudged Saphira, whispering, "Watch her… she's completely focused around him."
Saphira snickered. "She is… and he knows it."
I groaned inwardly, cheeks flaming. Evan leaned nearby, arms crossed, watching me paint. His gaze was quiet, soft, but there was that subtle possessiveness that made my stomach twist.
"You're really good at this," he murmured quietly.
"Th-thanks…" I whispered, heart racing. Did he just… compliment me?
Lunch was chaos, of course. We sat in our usual café spot. Cassian pulled out a notebook to tutor me, Aveline leaned into him, teasing while holding his hand, and Soraya and Saphira could not stop laughing at every little glance Evan threw my way.
"Sol, are you blushing?" Saphira whispered, pointing at me.
I groaned, hiding behind my sandwich. "No, I'm not!"
Evan's smirk appeared instantly. "You're adorable when you're flustered," he murmured.
I nearly choked. Why does he have to be so tall, so close, so… overwhelming?
Cassian rolled his eyes. "You two are ridiculous. Can we focus on tutoring, or are you just here to blush at each other all day?"
After lunch, we gathered at the café to study. Cassian quizzed me mercilessly, occasionally letting a flirty comment slip in that made me squirm. Aveline laughed beside him, her hand resting on his arm as they whispered playfully.
Evan hovered nearby, helping without being overbearing. A small correction here, a gentle nudge there — every movement careful, quiet, but enough to make my heart race.
At one point, he leaned down as I struggled with a problem. "Sol… let me show you." His fingers brushed mine as he pointed at the paper. I froze. My chest thumped in my ears.
"Th-thanks," I stammered.
He smirked, brushing past me again. "Don't mention it. You're mine, remember?"
Evening came, and I trudged home, exhausted but happy. My mom glanced up from her sketches.
"Long day?" she asked.
"Yes," I murmured, adjusting my necklace. "But… good."
I flopped onto my bed later, pulling out my sketchbook. I painted my day — the mural, my friends laughing, Evan quietly complimenting me. I smiled at the page, finally feeling… comfortable in my own skin.
And then my phone buzzed. Evan.
Evan: Can't sleep. You okay?
My fingers hovered over the keyboard. My heart raced. Should I answer?
Me: Yeah… I'm okay. Just tired.
Evan: Did you survive tutoring and Cassian's torture today?
Me: Barely… He's relentless.
Evan: Just like me… but quieter.
I blinked. What does that even mean?
Me: Haha, sure. Quiet.
Evan: Sol… I mean it. You did really well today. I like… seeing you like this. Calm. Focused. Happy.
My chest fluttered. He notices… he notices me.
Me: Thanks… That means a lot.
Evan: Sleep now. I'll be around tomorrow. And remember… you're mine.
I swallowed hard, cheeks burning. Mine? He really said it again. And I… I don't know how to feel, except… happy.
I set the phone down and curled under my blankets, staring at the ceiling. The day had been exhausting, chaotic, teasing, and fluster-inducing — but it had been perfect.
I think… I'm falling for him. Hard.