They left the cafeteria together.
Mira slipped her arm through Lily's easily, like it was something she'd done a hundred times before.
"Next time," Mira said, casual and bright, "we're going to that place near the library. The desserts there should come with warnings."
Lily nodded.
"Yeah."
The word left her mouth without much weight.
They walked on. Mira kept talking — about classes, about nothing important — and Lily listened just enough to respond when she had to.
But her attention drifted.
Not ahead.
Behind.
Footsteps followed them.
Two sets.
Jake's voice came first, loud and careless, filling the space.
Another answered him — lower, steadier.
Lily didn't turn around.
She didn't need to.
Her fingers tightened slightly where they rested against Mira's sleeve.
Then someone passed them.
Lily noticed the girl only because she was close — too close — brushing by with a sharp scent that lingered in the air long after she'd moved on.
Lily didn't care.
She would've forgotten her instantly.
Until the girl slowed.
Turned.
And walked back—
straight toward the space behind Lily.
Toward Aiden.
That was when Lily felt it.
Her expression didn't change. Whatever it was, it didn't hurt.
Just a quiet tightening in her chest, like something had shifted without permission.
She slowed her steps without realizing.Her pace faltered without her meaning to.
"Hey," the girl said lightly, like this was spontaneous. "You're Aiden, right?"
Lily didn't turn yet.
Aiden did.
"Yes?"
"My friend's in the art club," the girl continued, relaxed. "She talks about you a lot. Said you're really good."
Jake hummed under his breath.
Mira's arm stiffened for just a second — then relaxed again.
"Oh," Aiden said. "Okay."
"We're starting a project soon," the girl added. "I was wondering if you'd help."
Lily stared at the ground.
She still didn't know why her chest felt tight.
Aiden nodded once.
"I can help. If it's about the project."
No extra warmth.
He spoke kindly, but without softness—like someone being polite, nothing more.
The girl smiled. "That'd be great."
She hesitated — just a beat.
"Could I get your number?" she asked. "For the details."
There it was.
Lily drew in a breath she hadn't known she was holding.
Not because of the girl.
Because Aiden didn't answer right away.
The air went still, as if waiting.
Then he reached for his phone.
"Sure."
Something inside Lily dropped — slow, quiet — like a space she hadn't noticed until it emptied.
The girl typed quickly, satisfied.
"I'll text you," she said, already stepping away.
And then she was gone.
The space behind Lily felt different after that.
She stood there a moment too long without realizing it.
Mira scoffed softly. "That was smooth."
Jake laughed. "She knew exactly what she was doing."
Lily didn't respond.
Her thoughts snagged on one thing.
So… he's an art student.
The idea settled strangely — like realizing—
There's a chance he had always been somewhere near me,
moving through the same spaces,
while I walked past without ever lifting my gaze.
She leaned closer to Mira, voice barely above breath.
"…Mira," she asked quietly, eyes still lowered,
"is he… in the art department?"
She didn't mean for anyone else to hear. She really didn't.
Footsteps slowed behind them.
Aiden stopped.
Jake noticed immediately and grinned, already opening his mouth—
But Aiden lifted a hand slightly.
Jake shut up.
Aiden stepped closer.
Lily felt it before she saw it.
The space behind her disappeared.
She raised her eyes—
and saw that he had leaned down, quietly adjusting himself to her height, as if the distance between them mattered.
He didn't step closer. He didn't need to.
Just close enough that she noticed her own breathing.
He leaned slightly, lowering his voice without effort.
"Were you asking about me?"
Her chest gave a small, traitorous skip.
She nodded once.
Barely.
He tilted his head, studying her in silence, the moment stretching thin between them.
Then, quietly—
"Why?"
The question settled between them.
Lily's mind emptied.
Her lips parted. Nothing came out.Heat crept up her neck, into her ears.
She shook her head. Then stopped.
Her fingers curled into Mira's sleeve again — grounding, instinctive.
Jake chuckled softly. "Careful, man."
Mira shot him a look. "Jake."
Aiden straightened.
He stepped back — not far, but enough.
The space returned.
His expression stayed calm. Unreadable.
"Never mind," he said easily, like the moment hadn't existed.
They started walking again.
Mira resumed talking. Jake filled the silence like he always did.
Lily walked between them, quiet.
Her chest still felt strange — not warm, not hurt.
Just aware.
And she couldn't tell whether what had begun was something fragile…
Or something she should be careful of.
End of Chapter 9