Finding light in the darkest places—through love-Chapter 68 – Almost Something

Evelyn woke up to the soft glow of early morning light filtering through her window. Her phone was still clutched in her hand, the call with Adrian long disconnected. She blinked drowsily at the screen, her heart giving an odd little flutter at the last text he had sent before she fell asleep:

Adrian: Sleep well, Evie.

A warmth spread through her chest. He had stayed up with her, kept her company when her mind had been too restless. And now, as the sun climbed higher, she realized she wasn't just well-rested—she felt lighter, like something had shifted between them last night. Something unspoken, but undeniably there.

Still, she had no time to dwell on it. Her morning class was in an hour, and she had to move fast.

Morning Encounters

Evelyn rushed through the hallway, a coffee in one hand and her sketchbook tucked under her arm. She barely managed to slip into class before the professor began, sliding into a seat next to her friend, Claire.

"You look suspiciously well-rested for someone who was spiraling over family drama last night," Claire whispered, arching a brow. "Did something happen?"

Evelyn hesitated, heat creeping up her neck. "Not really," she murmured, flipping open her notebook.

Claire squinted at her. "Not really? You either had an emotional breakdown or something—or someone—distracted you." Her eyes widened. "Wait. Was it Adrian?"

Evelyn tensed. "Shh!" she hissed, glancing around. "Nothing happened."

Claire smirked, leaning in. "But something almost did."

Evelyn sighed, rubbing her temples. "He just called because we couldn't sleep. We talked. It was nice. That's it."

"Right," Claire drawled, unconvinced. "And I'm the Queen of England."

Evelyn groaned, slumping back in her chair. Why did Claire have to be so perceptive?

A Lunch Date?

After class, Evelyn headed to the campus café, needing another dose of caffeine. As she stepped inside, she nearly collided with Adrian, who was coming out, holding two coffees.

"Whoa," he said, steadying her with a hand on her arm. "In a rush?"

Evelyn looked up at him, her heart doing that stupid skipping thing again. "More like running on caffeine and adrenaline."

Adrian smirked. "So, the usual." He glanced at the coffee in his hand before holding one out to her. "Here. I figured you'd need it."

She blinked. "You—wait, you got this for me?"

Adrian shrugged, like it was the most casual thing in the world. "You function better when properly caffeinated."

Evelyn took the cup, warmth spreading through her—not just from the coffee, but from the thoughtfulness of it. "Thanks."

Adrian nodded toward an empty table. "Got time to sit for a bit?"

She hesitated, but then nodded. "Yeah. Sure."

They slid into the booth, and for a few moments, they just sipped their coffee in comfortable silence. But the air between them was different today. More charged. Like they were both aware of something they weren't quite ready to name.

Adrian tapped his fingers against his cup. "So, did you finish your drawing last night?"

Evelyn smiled slightly. "Yeah."

"What was it?"

She hesitated, debating whether to tell him. Then, with a quiet breath, she pulled out her sketchbook and flipped to the page. It was a rough but detailed drawing of a quiet moment—two figures sitting together under a streetlight, the lines soft, intimate.

Adrian stared at it for a long moment. "Is that... us?"

Evelyn felt her pulse quicken. She hadn't intended to draw them specifically, but now, looking at it through his eyes, it was obvious.

"I guess it is," she admitted, voice softer than she intended.

Adrian didn't tease her. He didn't smirk. Instead, he ran a finger along the edge of the page, expression unreadable. "It's... really good."

Evelyn exhaled a quiet laugh. "That's all you have to say?"

Adrian tilted his head, studying her. "What do you want me to say, Evie?"

She looked away, flustered. "Never mind."

But then, he reached across the table and tapped the side of her coffee cup lightly, drawing her attention back to him. "I like it," he said, voice lower now. "And I like that you drew us."

Evelyn's breath caught. For a second, she thought he might say something more, something that would tilt whatever this was between them into something undeniable.

But then his phone buzzed, breaking the moment.

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Adrian sighed, glancing at the screen. "I gotta go. But... I'll see you later?"

Evelyn nodded, still feeling the weight of whatever had just passed between them. "Yeah."

Adrian hesitated for a fraction of a second, then reached out, briefly squeezing her hand before standing. "Later, Evie."

She watched him leave, her fingers still tingling where he had touched her.

Almost something. Almost.