Finding light in the darkest places—through love-Chapter 87 – The Morning After

Meanwhile: Lucas

Lucas was at the café before class, his usual spot by the window, tapping his pen idly against a closed notebook. The coffee in front of him had long gone lukewarm.

He wasn't thinking about his deadlines. Or the presentation he had later that afternoon.

He was thinking about Evelyn.

About the way her voice had trembled when she told him she'd been falling for him.

About how she'd rested her forehead against his chest like she finally felt safe.

He hadn't expected last night to unfold like that. He hadn't even been sure she'd come to the studio.

But she had.

And now everything felt both incredibly delicate and unshakably solid.

His phone buzzed. A message from her.

Evie:

Did you mean what you said?

About waiting for me?

Lucas smiled, thumb already moving across the screen.

Lucas:

Every word.

But you should know I'm not just waiting anymore.

I'm already yours, Evie.

A New Kind of Normal

Later that day, they found each other between classes—no pretense, no excuses. Just... there. Evelyn had barely stepped into the quad when she spotted him leaning against the low wall near the art building, backpack slung over one shoulder, half-eaten granola bar in hand.

He looked up, eyes lighting up in a way that made her insides flutter.

"Hey," she said softly, stepping close.

Lucas tossed the rest of his granola bar in the bin and straightened. "Hey."

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They stood there for a beat—awkward in a way that wasn't uncomfortable, just new. Charged. Full of things unsaid that didn't need to be rushed anymore.

Then Evelyn reached out, fingers brushing against his hand.

He responded instantly, linking their fingers together.

That was it.

Their first moment of public closeness.

No dramatic announcement. No hand-wringing.

Just the quiet certainty of this.

"I have class at ten," she murmured.

"I'll walk you."

As they moved through campus together, hands still joined, and people glanced their way. Some looked surprised. A few smiled knowingly. But neither of them cared.

Let them wonder. Let them talk.

Because finally, finally, they weren't pretending anymore.

A Conversation with Clara

"I knew it," Clara said later that night, plopping down on Evelyn's bed with all the subtlety of a freight train.

Evelyn grinned despite herself. "Knew what?"

"You two. Holding hands. In broad daylight. You realize that's basically a relationship in college terms, right?"

Evelyn rolled her eyes. "It's not— We're not... labeling it."

"But you are together?"

Evelyn hesitated, then nodded slowly. "In our way, yeah. We talked. It's... real now."

Clara beamed. "About time. I was ready to start locking you two in a supply closet until something happened."

"I'm not even surprised."

"You shouldn't be." Clara flopped onto her back, staring at the ceiling. "I'm proud of you, Evie."

Evelyn blinked. "For what?"

"For being brave. Even when it scared you."

Evelyn's smile softened.

Because she had been, she still was.

But for once, being scared wasn't stopping her from reaching for something she wanted.

That Night

Lucas called her.

Not a text. Not a voice note. A real call.

Evelyn picked up, curling into her blankets with the softest smile tugging at her lips.

"Hey," she whispered.

"Hey." His voice was low and warm. "Just wanted to hear from you."

Her breath caught.

"I like this," she murmured.

"What?"

"Not having to wonder."

He was quiet for a second. Then, "Me too."

They talked about nothing and everything—classes, Noah's latest disaster meal, whether they could go for another night drive this weekend.

And somewhere between sleepy laughter and shared silence, Evelyn realized something.

They hadn't kissed yet.

But the way he said goodnight—soft, sure, like a promise—felt like the beginning of something even bigger.