Finding light in the darkest places—through love-Chapter 107 – The Words We Were Always Saying

The next few days passed in a haze.

Evelyn found herself floating through classes and study sessions, her mind always half-full with the memory of Adrian's hand in hers, the way he had looked at her—like she was something precious.

They hadn't talked about it yet.

Not out loud.

Not with real words.

But something between them had changed, so subtly and surely that even silence felt different now—full instead of empty.

And Evelyn knew: they were standing on the edge of something.

It terrified her.

It thrilled her.

On Friday night, after a long week of classes, Adrian texted her.

Adrian: Want to get some air? Walk with me?

Evelyn didn't even hesitate.

She grabbed a jacket and met him outside her dorm, heart thudding wildly even before she spotted him waiting by the lamppost, hands tucked into his jacket pockets.

He smiled when he saw her, that quiet, earnest smile that always made her feel seen.

"Hey," he said.

"Hey," she answered, breathless already.

They started walking without really deciding where they were going.

The campus was quieter at night, wrapped in soft shadows and golden light.

The paths wound around sleepy buildings and darkened courtyards, and the world felt small and infinite all at once.

They didn't talk much at first.

But it wasn't an awkward silence.

It was the kind of silence that felt like breathing together.

Evelyn kicked a pebble along the sidewalk, her hands stuffed into her jacket pockets, stealing glances at Adrian out of the corner of her eye.

He looked deep in thought.

When they reached the little bridge over the campus pond, Adrian slowed and leaned against the railing, looking out over the water.

The moonlight shimmered on the surface, casting everything in silver.

Evelyn stood beside him, close enough that she could feel the warmth radiating from him.

Close enough that it felt natural to lean just slightly, so their arms brushed.

Adrian glanced at her, something vulnerable and unguarded flashing in his eyes.

"Evelyn," he said quietly.

She turned fully to face him, her heart a drumbeat in her ears.

He looked like he was searching for the right words—careful, deliberate.

"I've been thinking," he said, voice low and rough, "that maybe I haven't said enough. Or maybe you already know. But I still want to say it."

Evelyn swallowed hard, her throat tight.

Adrian took a shaky breath.

"I like you," he said simply.

"A lot. Probably more than I know how to explain."

Evelyn's vision blurred a little with sudden, stinging warmth.

Adrian kept going, as if the dam had finally broken.

"I don't just like being around you," he said, voice raw.

"I don't just think you're smart and funny and incredible—though you are. It's more than that. It's—"

He broke off, laughing softly, almost helplessly.

"I think about you all the time," he said, softer now. "I miss you even when you're right next to me. I want to be the person you can lean on. I want..."

He trailed off, shaking his head with a self-deprecating smile.

"I want a lot of things. Mostly, I just want you."

The world seemed to stop.

Evelyn stared at him, heart hammering so loud she was sure he could hear it.

And then she was laughing, too—a wet, shaky laugh that slipped out before she could stop it.

"Adrian," she said, voice breaking, "you're not the only one."

He froze, staring at her.

Evelyn pressed a hand to her chest, trying to steady the tidal wave of emotion threatening to knock her over.

"I like you too," she said, the words tumbling out fast and breathless.

"I care about you so much it actually scares me sometimes. I think about you constantly. I look for you everywhere. Being around you feels like—"

She broke off, blinking rapidly.

"Like breathing."

Adrian let out a soft, stunned breath.

And then he smiled.

Not the small, polite smiles he gave classmates.

Not the teasing grins he flashed during study sessions.

A real smile.

A full smile.

A smile like the sunrise.

"Well," he said, almost laughing, "we're a mess, aren't we?"

Evelyn grinned through her tears.

"Yeah. But a good mess."

He reached out then, slow and careful, as if giving her time to pull away.

She didn't.

She leaned into his touch as he cradled her face in one hand, his thumb brushing her cheekbone so gently it made her shiver.

"Can I—" he began.

"Yes," she whispered.

He didn't kiss her right away.

He just pressed his forehead to hers, breathing her in.

They stood there, wrapped in the quiet night, hearts pounding against each other.

When he finally kissed her, it was soft.

Tentative at first, like a question.

Evelyn answered by lifting up onto her toes and kissing him back.

It wasn't a perfect kiss—clumsy, almost laughing, full of nervous energy and relief.

But it was real.

It was theirs.

When they pulled apart, Adrian was looking at her like she hung the stars.

"I'm so glad you're here," he said hoarsely.

Evelyn rested her head against his shoulder, feeling the steady beat of his heart.

"I'm glad you're here too," she whispered.

And for the first time in a long time, she didn't feel scared of the future.

Because whatever came next—they'd be facing it together.

Hand in hand.

Heart to heart.

Exactly where they were always meant to be.