Finding light in the darkest places—through love-Chapter 80 – A Step Closer

The crisp evening air wrapped around Evelyn as she stepped outside the library, the soft hum of students chatting and the occasional rustling of pages fading into the background. She exhaled, rubbing her hands together for warmth before pulling out her phone.

Adrian: Done with studying yet?

She smiled, shaking her head as she typed back.

This 𝓬ontent is taken from fгeewebnovёl.co𝙢.

Evelyn: Depends on who's asking.

Adrian: A very generous soul who is willing to rescue you from academic misery.

Evelyn: Tempting offer. Where's my escape route?

Adrian: Outside. Look to your right.

Evelyn turned, and there he was, leaning casually against the lamppost, hands tucked into his jacket pockets, looking effortlessly cool as always. The sight of him sent a flutter through her chest, something that had been happening far too often lately.

"Do you always stalk people when they're trying to study?" she teased, walking over.

Adrian smirked. "Only the ones who look like they're about to collapse under the weight of their textbooks."

She sighed dramatically. "Midterms should be illegal."

"I'll start a petition," he said, falling into step beside her as they walked away from the library. "But first, food."

Evelyn raised a brow. "You just assume I'm going to get food with you?"

"I know you," Adrian replied smoothly. "And I also know you've probably skipped dinner again."

She opened her mouth to protest, but he shot her a knowing look. She sighed. "Okay, fine. Maybe I forgot."

He tsked, shaking his head. "Hopeless."

"Annoying."

"You like it."

Evelyn rolled her eyes but didn't deny it. Because, maybe, just maybe, she did.

The Late-Night Diner

They ended up at a small diner just off campus, the kind that was always open late, catering to sleep-deprived students running on caffeine and bad decisions. Adrian ordered for both of them without even asking, which should have been annoying, but instead left her feeling oddly warm.

When their food arrived, Evelyn took a sip of her milkshake and gave him a pointed look. "So, what's the real reason you kidnapped me from my academic suffering?"

Adrian leaned back, draping an arm over the booth. "Can't a guy just want to hang out with his favorite person?"

Her heart stuttered. Favorite person?

She tried to ignore the way that made her feel and scoffed instead. "I'm your only person."

"Even better," he said, eyes glinting with amusement.

Evelyn shook her head, focusing on her fries, but the conversation had already taken root in her mind. They had been dancing around this thing between them for weeks now—months, even. She had tried to rationalize it, had told herself that maybe she was just reading too much into things.

But Adrian didn't look at her like she was just a friend. And the way she felt around him? That wasn't just friendship, either.

She took a breath. "Adrian."

He glanced up. "Yeah?"

She hesitated, fingers tightening around her milkshake glass. "Do you ever think about... us?"

For a moment, he didn't move. Then, very slowly, he set his drink down and met her gaze head-on. "All the time."

Evelyn's stomach flipped. She hadn't expected him to be so direct. "Oh."

Adrian smirked. "That's all you've got? Oh?"

She glared. "I wasn't expecting you to just say it like that."

He leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on the table. "Would you rather I lie?"

"No," she admitted. "I just..." She exhaled. "I don't know what to do with that."

Adrian watched her for a moment, then said, "You don't have to do anything. Not yet."

Evelyn searched his face, looking for any sign of teasing or insincerity, but found none. He was just... Adrian. Steady. Patient. Waiting for her to catch up.

And maybe, just maybe, she already had.

A Walk in Circles

They left the diner sometime after midnight, the streets mostly quiet except for the occasional group of students heading home. The cool night air was refreshing, but the tension between them was unmistakable now, simmering beneath the surface.

Adrian walked beside her, hands in his pockets, gaze forward. "You thinking too hard again?"

Evelyn sighed. "Possibly."

"Want to talk about it?"

She hesitated, then said, "I think I've been lying to myself."

Adrian glanced at her. "About what?"

She took a breath, forcing herself to look at him. "About us."

Something flickered in his expression—hope, maybe? Relief? He slowed his steps. "Yeah?"

Evelyn nodded. "Yeah."

Adrian didn't say anything right away. Instead, he reached out and gently tugged her sleeve, stopping her in place. When she looked up at him, he smiled softly. "Took you long enough."

She rolled her eyes, but there was no real heat behind it. "You're so—"

"Charming? Amazing? Devilishly handsome?"

She groaned. "Annoying."

Adrian laughed. "That too."

They stood there for a moment, neither moving, neither speaking. The weight of everything unspoken between them settled around them like the night itself.

Finally, Evelyn took a step closer. Just enough for their hands to brush.

Adrian didn't pull away.

And neither did she.

The Beginning of Something More

By the time they reached Evelyn's dorm, the air between them was buzzing with something electric, something undeniable.

She turned to him, feeling oddly nervous. "So..."

Adrian smirked. "So."

Evelyn bit her lip. "I guess I'll see you tomorrow?"

He stepped closer, just enough that she had to tilt her head to look up at him. His voice was quieter now, more serious. "Yeah. You will."

For a second, she thought—hoped—he might kiss her. But he didn't. He just reached out, tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, and murmured, "Night, Evie."

She swallowed. "Night, Adrian."

And as she stepped inside, heart pounding, she realized something:

There was no going back now.

And for the first time, she didn't want to.