Finding light in the darkest places—through love-Chapter 72 – The Slow Unraveling

Evelyn had always been good at compartmentalizing. When something complicated surfaced, she would tuck it away, placing it in a box until she was ready to deal with it. But the feelings swirling inside her now? They refused to be ignored.

She had spent the entire day trying to focus on her assignments, but every time she attempted to read a sentence, her mind betrayed her—drifting back to Adrian. His voice, his smirk, the way his eyes softened just for her. The way he had answered her question last night.

Yeah. I have.

There had been something in his tone—something vulnerable, something real. It had sent her heart into a tailspin, leaving her grasping for stable ground. But no matter how much she tried to make sense of it, there was only one conclusion she kept circling back to.

She liked Adrian.

More than a friend should.

And maybe, just maybe, she always had.

Adrian's Internal Battle

Adrian wasn't faring any better.

He had spent most of his morning training with the soccer team, hoping the physical exhaustion would clear his head. But even as he sprinted across the field, dodging opponents and scoring goals, there was only one thing occupying his mind.

Evelyn.

He wasn't sure when everything had shifted—when her laughter had become his favorite sound or when seeing her name on his phone screen made his entire day better. He had always known she was important to him, but lately, the way he felt when she was around? It was different.

Stronger.

Undeniable.

During practice breaks, he caught himself staring at his phone, itching to text her, to say something. But what would he even say? Hey, Evie, I think I'm falling for you? Yeah, that wouldn't go over well.

So instead, he pushed through practice, trying to ignore the voice in his head whispering that it was already too late to turn back.

Crossing Paths

That evening, fate—or maybe something else—decided to intervene.

Evelyn had been on her way back from the library, exhausted and mentally drained, when she spotted Adrian sitting on the campus bench near the fountain. He was staring up at the sky, his posture more relaxed than usual.

For a moment, she considered walking away, pretending she hadn't seen him. But something in the quiet pull between them made her stop.

"Should I be concerned that you're just sitting here, contemplating life?" she teased as she approached.

Adrian smirked but didn't look away from the sky. "Maybe. I was waiting for some profound realization to hit me, but so far, nothing."

She sat beside him, hugging her arms against the cool night air. "Well, if it makes you feel better, I'm dealing with my existential crisis."

Adrian finally turned to look at her, his expression softer. "Oh yeah?"

Evelyn let out a breath. "Yeah. It's just... I don't know. Lately, I've been thinking about things I never used to think about before. Wondering if I've been ignoring something obvious."

Adrian's heartbeat stuttered, but he kept his tone even. "Like what?"

She hesitated, as if afraid to say too much. "Like... the way people can change without realizing it."

Adrian felt a strange tug in his chest. "Change can be good."

Evelyn nodded slowly, staring at the ripples in the fountain's water. "Yeah. But sometimes it's scary, too."

Adrian exhaled through his nose, studying her profile. She looked so deep in thought, so conflicted. And he wanted—needed—to know what was running through her mind.

Before he could say anything, Evelyn turned to face him, her expression unreadable. "Do you ever think about the future?"

Adrian blinked. "Sometimes."

Evelyn bit her lip. "And do you ever wonder if the people in your life now will always be there?"

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Adrian's throat felt tight. "Yeah. I do."

She nodded, looking back at the water. "Me too."

Silence stretched between them, heavy but not uncomfortable. They were on the edge of something, something they weren't quite ready to name yet. But even without words, they both felt it.

Something had changed.

And there was no ignoring it anymore.

A Subtle Goodbye

After a while, Evelyn sighed. "I should probably head back before Claire starts thinking I got kidnapped."

Adrian smirked, but his voice was quiet when he said, "Yeah. Wouldn't want that."

She hesitated, as if there was something else she wanted to say. But instead, she just stood up, offering him a small smile. "See you tomorrow?"

Adrian nodded, watching her closely. "Yeah. See you tomorrow."

And as he watched her walk away, disappearing into the night, Adrian realized something with startling clarity.

He wasn't just falling for Evelyn.

He already had.