Amy's POV
Dareen leaned in even closer, his voice dropping to a low, intimate murmur. The space between us felt charged-his cologne mingling with the aroma of coffee, his knee brushing mine beneath the table. "I mean, if you ever feel left out, just hit me up. Like a… casual double date kind of thing. Just you, me, and whatever fun trouble we can find," he said, punctuating it with a playful wink.
A flutter of excitement danced in my chest, warmth blooming up my neck. I tried to hide my smile, but it tugged at my lips anyway. "Oh really? And here I thought you were just a charming freshman. Now you're giving me double date offers?"
Dareen's grin widened, his fingers drumming lightly on the tabletop as if he couldn't contain his energy. "Hey, I'm not just charming-I'm also adventurous. And who wouldn't want to hang out with someone as cute as you?"
His compliment sent a wave of heat to my cheeks. I tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear, heart thumping a little faster. "Well, I might just take you up on that offer. Just don't think I'm going to let you win at anything."
He laughed, the sound warm and infectious, leaning back but keeping his gaze locked on mine. "Bring it on, challenge accepted!" The tension between us crackled, a delicious current that made my skin tingle.
For a moment, the world narrowed to just the two of us-his warm brown eyes, the playful tilt of his mouth, the way my pulse skipped every time he smiled. I felt alive, seen, and just a little bit reckless.
Lucas's POV
I slammed the door of my car shut, the engine's purr fading as I stepped onto campus. The morning sun glinted off the hood, and like clockwork, a group of girls giggled nearby, their eyes following me. I could feel the weight of every glance-lecturers, students, even strangers. My phone buzzed with notifications, but I ignored them all. Everyone knew I was taken. Anne and I were the campus's golden couple, the ones people envied, the ones who looked perfect in every photo.
Anne was stunning-tall, poised, her presence making heads turn wherever she went. I should have felt proud, and sometimes I did. But lately, pride had curdled into something heavier, something hollow. Each compliment about our "perfect" relationship felt like another brick in a wall I couldn't climb.
Was I really happy, or just playing a role? The thought gnawed at me, an ache in my chest I couldn't shake. I caught my reflection in a window, forced a smile, and tried to look the part. But inside, I felt like I was suffocating.
I was about to call Amy when I spotted her across the quad, sunlight catching in her golden-brown hair. She was waving at someone, her laughter floating on the breeze. My heart kicked up, a rush of adrenaline making my palms sweat. Even after all this time, seeing her made everything else fade away.
She sprinted up to me, her hair bouncing around her shoulders. "Hey! Where's Anne? Don't tell me she skipped class again," she teased, her eyes wide with mock disbelief.
I ran a hand through my hair, trying to steady myself as I met her gaze. Even with the tension simmering inside me, Amy always made it easier to breathe. "Anne… well, same old story. She didn't feel like coming to class," I said, my voice casual, but I knew she could hear the edge beneath it.
Amy's brow furrowed, her concern obvious as she stepped closer. "Did you guys fight?" Her voice was gentle, her eyes searching mine.
I felt my shoulders tense, a familiar ache settling between my ribs. She could always read me-sometimes better than I could read myself. "It was just a small argument-nothing serious," I tried, but my smile felt brittle. "It's normal, right?"
Her gaze lingered on me, soft but insistent. I felt exposed, like she could see every crack in my armor. I wanted to reach for her hand, to let her in, but instead I looked away, swallowing the urge. "Come on, Lucas, don't brush it aside. If you need to talk… I'm here for you," she said, her tone soothing, her presence grounding.
A lump formed in my throat. For a moment, I almost let myself open up. But the words caught, tangled in pride and fear. "Thanks, Amy. Really," I managed, forcing a grateful smile. "Let's head to class. We can chat later."
We walked side by side, our arms almost brushing. The warmth of her presence lingered, easing the tightness in my chest, even as the shadows of my thoughts trailed behind.
In class, I slid into the seat next to Amy, the familiar hum of the room fading into background noise. All around us, whispers and glances swirled-girls, guys, everyone watching. But none of it mattered.
Amy was bent over her notes, brow furrowed in concentration, her lips pressed together in focus. I couldn't look away. Every little movement-her hand tucking her hair behind her ear, the way she chewed her pen cap-sent a jolt through me. My heart thudded, heat rising in my chest.
I wanted to reach out, to trace the line of her jaw, to feel the softness of her skin beneath my fingertips. The urge was maddening, a fire building with every second I spent beside her. I imagined leaning in, capturing her lips with mine, losing myself in the taste of her. The thought alone made my breath hitch, my pulse racing.
I shifted in my seat, trying to focus on the lecture, but it was useless. Every secret glance between us felt like a promise, a silent dare. The tension was electric, coiling tighter with every heartbeat.
For everyone else, this was just another class. For me, it was torture and bliss all at once-sitting next to the girl who made my world spin, wanting more than I could ever say.