đź“– CHAPTER TWO
Ethan's POV
I didn't believe in coincidences.
Yet there I was, sitting across from Avery Collins in the library, our names printed side by side on a project sheet like a bad joke.
She sprawled across the table as if it were her living room. Backpack open. Colorful pens everywhere. A coffee she wasn't drinking but kept gesturing with dramatically.
"This," she said, tapping the paper, "is either going to end in academic greatness or mutual destruction."
"It's a research project," I replied. "Not a prophecy."
She leaned forward. "You're fun."
I ignored her and opened my laptop.
Focus. Get through the semester. Leave.
That plan didn't include her.
Avery's POV
He typed like his keyboard owed him money.
Fast. Precise. No hesitation.
I watched him for a moment before speaking.
"So," I said, "what's your deal?"
His fingers paused for exactly half a second.
"I don't have a deal."
"Everyone has a deal. Mine is unresolved fear of the future disguised as charisma."
He glanced at me. "That explains a lot."
I gasped. "That was rude."
"It was accurate."
I smiled. Okay. One point for him.
Back to Ethan
She was distracting.
Not because she was loud — I could tune out noise.
It was the way she noticed things. The way her eyes lingered, like she was cataloging details I'd spent years hiding.
"I think we should divide the work," I said. "Efficiency."
"Translation," she replied, "you don't want to talk to me."
"I want to pass."
"Same," she said softly, then brightened. "Emotionally, I mean."
I didn't respond.
Avery
We worked for twenty minutes in silence.
That alone was impressive.
Then Jordan appeared.
"AVERRRYYYY," he sang, dropping into the chair beside me. "Why does your partner look like he judges people for breathing?"
Ethan didn't look up.
"I don't."
Jordan blinked. "Oh. He talks."
Maya followed, coffee in hand, eyes sharp.
"This him?" she asked me.
I nodded. "This is Ethan. He stole my seat."
"I didn't steal it."
Maya smiled politely. "We'll never forgive you."
Ethan
They surrounded me like a social ambush.
Jordan leaned in. "So what's your major? Please say something mysterious."
"Computer Science."
Jordan sighed. "Of course."
Maya studied me. "You're quiet."
"Yes."
"Why?"
Avery cut in. "Maya, don't interrogate him. He's clearly fragile."
"I am not fragile," I said.
Avery's eyes lit up. "You're defensive."
"I'm factual."
She grinned. "I like that about you."
I didn't know what to do with that.
Avery
We finally made progress.
Actual notes. Actual planning.
Ethan was brilliant — annoyingly so.
"You're overcomplicating this," he said gently, pointing at my outline.
"I'm adding flavor."
"You're adding chaos."
"Same thing."
He almost smiled.
I saw it.
I definitely saw it.
Ethan
I shouldn't have smiled.
But she looked absurdly pleased, like she'd just won something.
"Don't get used to that," I said.
"Too late," she replied. "I'm emotionally attached now."
Something twisted in my chest.
I stood abruptly. "I need air."
Avery
I watched him walk away, shoulders tense.
For the first time, I didn't chase.
Instead, I felt it — that quiet thing underneath his coldness.
Pain.
And suddenly, this wasn't just a project.