Finding light in the darkest places—through love-Chapter 103 – Closer Than Before

The invitation had sounded casual enough:

"Just a small study night. Pizza, notes, and mild suffering," as Sophie had phrased it in the group chat.

Evelyn hadn't thought twice about saying yes, especially after Adrian immediately replied with a thumbs-up emoji.

But by the time she and Adrian arrived at Sophie's off-campus apartment, which Sophie shared with a few other students, Evelyn realized that small might have been an understatement.

At least fifteen people were packed into the living room and kitchen, some already sprawled out with books and highlighters, others laughing over slices of greasy pizza. Music buzzed faintly in the background, and the whole place smelled like warm cheese and too many bodies in a small space.

Adrian leaned down slightly, his breath brushing her ear. "Still want to make a run for it?"

Evelyn smiled, heart skipping. "Nope. We're here. Let's survive it."

They made their way to the living room, setting their backpacks down in a corner. Almost immediately, Sophie swooped in with paper plates and an amused look.

"You two are late," she teased, bumping her hip against Evelyn's lightly. "Or were you busy... doing something else?"

Evelyn rolled her eyes, but her face warmed. Adrian, the traitor, just smiled lazily like he had no shame.

"We got caught in traffic," he said blandly, reaching for a slice of pizza. "And someone needed to find her perfect pen."

"Details," Evelyn muttered, taking a plate just to have something to do with her hands.

Sophie gave them both a pointed look but let it drop, moving off to greet someone else.

Still, the whispers had started.

Evelyn could feel them—small glances, knowing smiles.

It wasn't even anything cruel. Just a hum of observation in the room's atmosphere, like everyone was clocking the difference even if no one was bold enough to say it aloud.

And Adrian... Adrian didn't seem bothered at all.

He sat close enough that their knees bumped occasionally under the low coffee table. When Evelyn reached for a slice of pizza and nearly dropped it, he caught it without hesitation, laughing under his breath. When she found a typo in the study guide, he leaned over to read it with her, their shoulders pressed together.

It was easy. Natural. Too natural.

And every time Evelyn caught someone watching them—like Marcus's amused grin or Leah's wide eyes—her heart pounded a little harder.

Were they supposed to do something about it? Say something? Pretend nothing was happening?

But every time she got lost in the uncertainty, Adrian would glance at her, steady, warm—and the noise around her dimmed.

Halfway through the night, as people took a break from pretending to study and migrated toward the kitchen for more snacks, Evelyn and Adrian stayed back, sprawled lazily on the floor.

Adrian stretched out his legs, leaning on his hands behind him. "You okay?" he asked quietly.

Evelyn tucked her hair behind her ear. "Yeah. Just... a lot of eyes."

"You don't have to worry about them," Adrian said simply.

He glanced at her, something serious sparking in his usually easygoing gaze. "It's just us, Ev."

Just us.

The words sank into her chest like a stone tossed into deep water.

She nodded, voice catching slightly. "I know. I just... I'm not used to being noticed."

Adrian tilted his head. "You're worth noticing."

It was the kind of thing that would have sounded cheesy coming from anyone else. But from Adrian, it was sincere. Quiet. True.

Evelyn looked down, a smile tugging at the corner of her mouth.

Before she could think too hard about it, she shifted closer, until her knee was resting comfortably against his. Adrian didn't move away. He just let it happen, like it was the most natural thing in the world.

And maybe it was.

Maybe this was their new normal—being a little braver, a little closer, a little less afraid of what the world might see.

Later, as they packed up their things to leave, Marcus caught up to them by the door, grinning.

"You know," he said conversationally, "you guys are making it really hard for anyone to pretend you're just friends anymore."

Evelyn opened her mouth, but nothing came out.

Adrian, though—Adrian just slung his backpack over one shoulder and said calmly, "Who's pretending?"

And then he smiled at Evelyn, small and private, like they were sharing a secret.

The walk back to campus was quieter, the cold night air brushing their faces. They didn't talk much. They didn't need to.

At one point, Evelyn felt Adrian's fingers brush against hers—tentative, almost questioning.

She didn't hesitate.

She curled her pinky around his, linking them together with the softest touch.

Adrian's breath hitched just slightly. Then his hand shifted, his fingers sliding between hers fully, intertwining.

Warm. Steady.

Real.

They walked like that the rest of the way, no words needed.

And if anyone happened to see them holding hands under the streetlights, neither of them cared anymore.

It wasn't about the world watching.

It was about them choosing each other—quietly, deliberately, with every small step forward.