Studying In The Library

Amelia POV

I just stare for a second.

Not because it's a weird question - it's not.

But because it's coming from him.

Here. In this quiet little space where we're supposed to act like the rooftop never happened.

And now he's looking at me like it did happen.

And like... he's okay with that.

My throat goes a little dry.

You're reading too much into this, Amelia.

Still, I push my chair back. Grab my notebook. My coffee. My confusion.

And I walk the two steps forward.

He shifts his notes toward me automatically, clearing the edge of his desk without a word.

Like he knew I'd say yes.

Like he knew I'd come.

I don't say anything at first - just lean over slightly, squinting at the textbook page like it's a map to a place I actually know how to reach.

He smells like coffee. And something warmer underneath it. Familiar.

I hate that I notice it.

My voice is steadier than I feel when I finally speak.

"Okay, so the transition point depends on Reynolds number. Once the flow hits a certain critical point, it shifts from being all calm and linear to... basically chaotic."

He nods slowly, absorbing it, still frowning a little like the math betrayed him personally.

"It's like... people," I add before I can stop myself. "Some stay steady. Some reach a breaking point. And then everything gets messy...

He looks up at me then.

Eyes unreadable.

Not smiling.

But not not—smiling either.

Just... watching.

Like maybe he understands more than he lets on.

I clear my throat, retreating back into academic mode before I say something else weird.

"Anyway. It's all about how fast and dense the flow is, and the viscosity of the fluid."

He nods again, pen tapping once.

And then softly- "Thanks."

Simple. Sincere.

And stupidly heavy for no reason at all.

I nod back, turning to go. But before I take the full step away, I catch it again:

That look.

That barely-there shift in his expression like he's still thinking about something from last night.

So am I, Justin.

God help me, so am I.

I had barely started heading back to my seat when Justin called out, almost too casually, "Hey, Amelia..."

I turned around, raising a brow. "Yeah?"

He scratched the back of his neck - again with that shy-but-trying-not-to-look-shy look. "Uh... I was going through the rest of the chapter a day before yesterday. There are a few more things that didn't quite click. Plus... there's a bit in the next one too. Think you could help me out later?"

I tilted my head. "Later?"

"In the library. After classes," he said, avoiding eye contact for just a second too long. "We could sit for a bit. Study. I'll bring my notes."

A pause settled between us - soft, not awkward. The library. With Justin. It wasn't a date. Obviously. But it wasn't not something either. And the way he asked, the slight edge in his voice like he was still figuring this out - just like I was - made me nod, without overthinking.

"Sure," I said, shrugging like it was no big deal. "I'll be there."

He smiled - that small, lopsided one that didn't come often but lingered long enough to make it feel like it mattered.

I went back to my seat after that, but my heart? It stayed with that moment. The way he asked. The way it didn't feel like just studying. And the way I didn't mind at all.

A few hours later in the library

Amelia POV

We had been sitting there for maybe an hour. He had stopped fidgeting by now - that thing he does with his pen when he's nervous. He was scribbling down a solution I'd just explained, tongue peeking slightly between his lips in concentration. It was... unfairly distracting.

"I think I got it," he mumbled, tapping his pen against the notebook.

"Want me to check?"

He slid the notebook across the table, fingers brushing mine in the handoff - quick, accidental, but my skin still noticed. I didn't look up. Not immediately.

I scanned his solution. "Perfect," I said.

When I looked back at him, he was already looking at me. And for a second - just a beat too long - neither of us said anything.

There was nothing dramatic about it. No grand moment. Just... his eyes on me, a soft curl to his lips like he wanted to say something but didn't. And me, realizing that maybe silence between us had started to feel more like a pause than an end.

He broke it with a light chuckle. "You always do that?"

"What?"

"That tiny smile when someone gets it right. I've been watching for it. Kinda feels like a reward."

I rolled my eyes, but it was hard to hide the smile this time. "Don't get used to it."

He leaned back, arms crossed loosely, watching me like he was trying to figure something out - not the equations anymore, something else. Something quieter. I looked away first.

A minute later, I reached across to pull his notes toward me again, and his hand brushed mine again. This time, he didn't pull away immediately. And neither did I. It wasn't a hold - not even a grasp. Just... a shared pause. Warm. Still.

"I think," he said quietly, "studying with you might actually be fun."

I gave him a look. "Are you flirting with me through math?"

"Would it work?" he asked, not even pretending to be serious - but not entirely joking either.

I laughed - soft and short - and turned the page. "Keep solving. Maybe I'll let you find out."

The moment passed like a ripple in still water, unnoticed by the rest of the world. But I felt it. I think he did too.

And even though we went back to numbers and diagrams and quiet page-turning, that touch - that almost-nothing - kept echoing through everything that followed.

At one point, he was actually gave up and groaned dramatically. "How do you even remember all this, all the formula, numericals, derivations?"

I raised an eyebrow. "Because I actually listen in class."

He put a hand to his chest. "Ouch. Harsh."

"You asked."

He chuckled, leaning back in his chair.

"Okay, fine. You're the smart one, I'm just the guy who needs saving."

I looked at him for a beat. "I wouldn't say that."

His smile dimmed slightly not in a bad way, more like in a thoughtful, quiet way.

I didn't push it. We went back to formulas, scribbles, and solving problems that at least for today - felt easier together.

By the time we closed our notebooks, the sun had started slipping down the sky outside, golden light spilling across the table between us.

"Thanks," he said, gathering his things slowly. "For helping. And... you know. For not making me feel dumb."

"You're not dumb," I said without hesitation. "You just overthink."

He paused, then nodded once. "Yeah. Maybe."

We walked out together, the air between us easy, the silence not awkward but soft like the kind of silence that meant you didn't need to fill it. Like the beginning of something quietly good.

Author POV

"But I don't understand one thing... How can Justin be at peace knowing his girlfriend cheated on him so badly?" one of the three boys asked standing casually at the staircase.

"He got a new girl. In his very own class. The one who's wearing all black. I saw them sitting together in the morning- and in the library too, just before the lunch break," replied the other.

"She's not his girl." Declared the guy leaning against the wall like he owned the campus. Hoodie half-zipped, attitude fully loaded. His shoes were cleaner than his reputation. He leaned back with arms crossed like this was just another game. And he always played to win.

It was Joshua.

Joshua, Ashley and Kevin stood like they own the concrete beneath their feet- heads high and shoulders squared.

Joshua stood front and center, eyes scanning like he was always three moves ahead. Ashley, broader and louder, cracked his knuckles just to fill the silence, while Kevin leaned against the wall with the lazy arrogance of someone who knew they didn't to speak to be feared.

Kevin chuckled, the sound low and mean. "Anyways, Justin thinks he's got something in real."

Ashley arched a brow, chewing his gum slowly and smirked, "Cute. But we know how this ends."

Joshua smiled, the kind that didn't reach his eyes. "They're not built for this game."

Joshua's smirk widened the moment he spotted Liam walking alone across the courtyard, headphones in, completely unaware. Kevin cracked his knuckles again, this time with purpose. Ashley straightened from the lockers, already sensing the brewing chaos.

"Speak of the devil," Kevin muttered, eyes locked on Liam.

Joshua rolled his shoulders. "We don't need to touch him to break him today. Just a little poke... maybe remind him what happened last time we saw his girl."

Ashley snorted. "He still flinches every time someone says her name."

Joshua tilted his head. "Then let's make him flinch."

They waited-silent predators. As Liam neared, Joshua stepped into his path with perfect timing. Liam pulled off his headphones, wary but trying not to show it.

"What's up, Loverboy?" Joshua grinned, circling him. "Missing someone lately? Or just looking for another round of heartbreak?"

Kevin bumped into Liam's shoulder deliberately. "How's Sarah? Still feeble?"

Liam froze. The words hit harder than a slap. His jaw tightened, fists curling, but he said nothing. Not yet.

Ashley came up behind him. "Bet you wish you were stronger that day, huh? You weren't. You won't ever be."

That did it.

Liam shoved Joshua back.

It all spiraled-shouting, fists, Joshua swinging first, Liam defending, barely. Kevin grabbed Liam by the collar, slamming him against the wall. Ashley was yelling something, wild and taunting-

And then-

"GET YOUR HANDS OFF HIM!"

The voice sliced through everything.

Sarah.

She stormed in like fire wrapped in skin. Not shaking. Not afraid. This time, her voice didn't tremble.

She shoved Kevin off Liam with more strength than anyone expected, positioning herself right between the three of them and Liam. Her eyes were burning.

"Try touching him again," she said, "and I swear to God, you'll wish I stayed quiet last time."

Kevin laughed, but it was nervous now.

Joshua stared at her like she'd grown thorns. "You shouldn't be here, sweetheart."

"I should've been louder a long time ago," she snapped. "But I'm not scared of you anymore."

Liam pulled himself up beside her, stunned-but fiercely proud. He reached for her hand. She didn't let go.

For once, Joshua didn't have a comeback. Not when campus eyes had started turning their way. Not when Sarah stood like that-head high, voice steel.

He backed off.

"Let's go," he muttered to the others. "They're not worth it."

But as he walked away, he threw one last look toward Liam and Sarah. A promise.

This wasn't over.

I was so overwhelmed while writing the library scene...!! It was such a moment 🎀😭 And I'm so so so proud of Sarah to save Liam from those bullies. Don't you think that's a good character development, haha?

Please vote and comment if you liked this chapter. The next chapter will be updated soon. Take care, cuties 💙

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