The next morning, Ariana arrived early to the courtyard, expecting another quiet day. But when she rounded the fountain, she stopped—Kian was already there, leaning against the stone railing, sketchbook in hand.
He looked up the moment he sensed her. His eyes softened.
"You're early," he said.
"So are you," she replied, walking closer.
He hesitated, then closed his sketchbook as if hiding something. His fingers lingered on the cover. Ariana noticed.
"Were you drawing?" she asked.
He nodded once. "Something… I wasn't sure I wanted to show."
His voice was steady, but she sensed the emotion beneath it—the quiet vulnerability he rarely let anyone see.
"Is it about me?" she asked, half teasing, half nervous. 👀
He looked away, jaw tightening for a moment.
"Most things I draw lately… are," he admitted under his breath.
Her heart stopped. The world suddenly felt too still, too quiet.
"Kian…"
He finally met her eyes, and the intensity in them made her breath catch. His emotions weren't loud—but they were deep, strong, and unguarded for the first time.
"I don't know why," he said softly, "but everything feels different when you're near."
Ariana felt warmth spreading across her chest, her pulse quickening.
"Kian, I—" 💓
Before she could finish, students began walking across the courtyard, voices breaking their fragile moment.
Kian stepped back slightly, guard coming up again, though his eyes told a different story one that ached to continue.
"Later," he whispered. "Please."
Ariana nodded, heart pounding.
Later.
She would wait for later. 😩