Next Day,
Amelia POV
Arrggghhhhh!!!!! Someone please find that introvert!!
It's 11:57 AM already and I still can't find Justin. He didn't even come to attend the class. Liam said that he left early in the morning. But I can't find him anywhere since three hours!
The whole class had requested a free lecture for the project discussion. And here, I can't even find my project partner.
I already gave up my hopes. The last time he went missing–we found him in the bar. This time, I really don't care wherever he is. Just look at me. I'm literally tired of searching for him since three hours; since the very morning basically.
I sighed, rubbing my forehead as I trudged down the stone path toward the cafeteria. My throat felt dry, my limbs heavy, and every step reminded me of just how long I'd been searching for him. Justin. I'd combed through the library, checked every hallway in the engineering block, even peeked into classrooms where I knew he wouldn't be.
No trace. No luck.
My phone showed no messages. Typical.
"Maybe he left early," I mumbled, though the thought didn't sit right.
The cafeteria's glass doors gleamed in the afternoon light, and I pushed them open, letting the cool air and the hum of conversation wrap around me. I barely registered the queue of students or the clatter of trays. My feet moved on instinct toward the back patio, where sunlight poured in, and something–no, someone-caught my attention.
Cheers erupted from behind the building.
I frowned and stepped out, rounding the corner to where the practice field stretched out.
A crowd had gathered near the sidelines, laughing and shouting. That's when I saw it—the football club. All of them in their practice jerseys, moving in a blur of motion and energy.
And then... my heart skipped...
There he was.
Justin.
He stood out effortlessly, like he always did. His white shirt clung lightly to his frame, his hair damp with sweat, curls falling just over his eyes.
But it wasn't just how he looked–it was how he moved. Controlled, calm, precise.
The ball was at his feet, and he guided it like it was part of him. Every motion was fluid, every dodge natural. His teammates cleared a path as he sped up, dodging one defender, then another.
I couldn't look away.
His gaze was sharp, focused only on the goalpost. One more step-then his foot snapped forward with startling force. The ball lifted into the air in a clean, beautiful arc. The goalkeeper lunged.
Too late.
The net rippled as the ball struck home. The crowd roared in delight. I didn't cheer. I barely breathed.
He smiled then—not the smile he gave the crowd, but the one that reached his eyes. The one I knew. The one that used to be meant just for me.
I stood there, tired, aching, but suddenly still.
There you are, I thought.
I finally found you.
Justin POV
The crowd was still cheering, my teammates slapping my back, someone yelling, "That goal was sick, man!" But my eyes weren't on them.
They were on her.
Amelia.
She was standing there, barely visible behind the column near the cafeteria entrance. For a second, I thought I was imagining her. But then she moved.
And then she ran.
Gone. Just like that.
Something twisted in my chest.
I didn't know what I expected. A wave, a smile... maybe a cold stare. Anything but her turning and bolting like I was the last person she wanted to see.
I pulled away from the circle of players, muttering some excuse about needing water. But I didn't head to the bench–I walked off the field entirely. I couldn't ignore that look in her eyes.
Something was off. She'd been looking for me, hadn't she? She must have been-why else would she be there, alone, watching?
I had to find her.
I finally spotted her in the lecture hall about twenty minutes later. She was alone in the back row, arms crossed on the desk, eyes distant–like she was somewhere far, far away. The sunlight through the high windows lit up her face in soft gold.
I stepped in quietly and shut the door behind me.
Her head jerked up at the sound. Her eyes locked on mine.
She didn't speak. Just froze.
I took a slow breath and crossed the room, hands tucked into the pockets of my hoodie. When I reached the row below hers, I stopped and looked up.
"So... you ran."
Her jaw tightened. "I didn't run."
"You didn't walk."
She looked away.
I climbed the last step, stopping beside her. She didn't look at me, just stared straight ahead.
"You came to find me, didn't you?" I asked. "Why?"
She hesitated. For a moment, I saw something flicker in her expression–uncertainty? Embarrassment?
"For the project," she said, her voice low. "What else?"
I nodded slowly. "Right. The project."
A pause stretched between us.
"You could've said something," I said. "Instead of just watching like I was a ghost."
"You looked busy," she said flatly.
I tilted my head. "So you ran away from a football game?"
"No. I ran away from you."
That hit harder than I expected. Her voice was steady, but I could feel the weight under it.
"Why?" I asked, not backing down this time.
She finally looked at me. And there it was-confusion, frustration, maybe even a hint of sadness. Like she didn't know either. Like she was mad at herself for it.
"I don't know," she whispered.
I exhaled, the tension in my shoulders easing just a little. "Well... I'm here now. You don't have to run. We've got work to do."
She blinked, caught off-guard by the sudden shift in tone.
"I didn't forget about the project," I added. "We can pretend nothing happened, if that makes it easier."
She looked down at her notebook, fingers tightening around her pen.
"I don't want to pretend," she murmured.
Something in me softened.
"Good," I said. "Me neither."
I pulled out the chair beside her and sat down.
"Now," I said, glancing at the notes on her desk, "show me what I missed."
Hello there! Did you like the little bickerings, embarrassing run-away moments and silent approaches Amelia and Justin make towards each other, nowadays? Well, I'm loving it. Aww I waited so long for this to happen! Let me know in the comments if you did feel the same and express your views.
Please vote and comment if you liked this chapter. The next chapter will be updated soon. Take care, cuties 💙
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