Finding light in the darkest places—through love-Chapter 73 – Unspoken, Yet Understood

Evelyn had never been the type to overanalyze her own emotions. She had always been pragmatic, choosing to focus on what she could control rather than getting lost in feelings she couldn't explain. But that approach wasn't working anymore.

Not when it came to Adrian.

She sat on the rooftop garden of the dorm, her laptop open in front of her, though she hadn't typed a single word in over twenty minutes. Her mind was elsewhere—specifically on the way Adrian had looked at her last night. Not just in that teasing, cocky way he always did. But the way his gaze had softened in that split second before he smirked, as if he was holding something back.

And what if he was?

She exhaled sharply and leaned back against the cool stone bench. Claire's words from the other day still echoed in her mind. He's ridiculously into you, and you're clearly into him, so why not stop torturing yourself and just admit it already?

Easier said than done.

A vibration from her phone startled her. She glanced at the screen.

Adrian: You up there brooding again?

Evelyn sighed, a small smile tugging at her lips despite herself.

Evelyn: No.

Adrian: Liar.

Evelyn: What do you want?

Adrian: Come downstairs. I have snacks.

She hesitated for only a second before shutting her laptop and heading for the stairs.

A Moment Suspended in Time

Adrian was waiting by the entrance, leaning casually against the wall, a small bag of snacks in one hand. His expression brightened slightly when he saw her, though he covered it quickly with his usual smirk.

"You took long enough," he teased, tossing her a granola bar.

Evelyn caught it, rolling her eyes. "I didn't realize I was on a time limit."

He chuckled, falling into step beside her as they started walking aimlessly around campus. The night air was cool, but not unpleasant, the distant hum of the city filling the silence between them.

For a while, neither of them spoke. It was comfortable, familiar. But at the same time, something had shifted. The silence wasn't just silence anymore—it was charged.

Adrian was the first to break it. "You're thinking too much again."

Evelyn raised an eyebrow. "And how would you know that?"

"Because I know you."

His words were simple, but they landed with a weight that made her chest tighten. She stopped walking, forcing him to turn back to face her.

"Adrian." Her voice was quiet, almost hesitant. "Do you ever feel like... something is changing between us?"

He froze for half a second. If she hadn't been watching him so closely, she might have missed it. But she was watching. And she saw how his grip on the snack bag tightened slightly before he forced himself to relax.

"Yeah," he admitted, his voice softer than usual. "I do."

The night seemed to grow even quieter around them. Evelyn swallowed, her heart pounding so loudly she was sure he could hear it.

"Does it scare you?" she asked, her fingers gripping the wrapper of the granola bar she had yet to open.

Adrian exhaled a quiet laugh, rubbing the back of his neck. "A little." He glanced at her, and there was something almost vulnerable in his gaze. "But not in a bad way."

Evelyn wasn't sure how long they stood there, caught in some strange space between acknowledgment and hesitation. But in that moment, something settled within her.

She was falling for him.

Maybe she had been for a long time.

Adrian broke the tension with a small smile, nudging her lightly. "Come on. You still haven't eaten your granola bar."

She huffed a small laugh, shaking her head as they started walking again. But this time, something was different.

Neither of them said it.

But they both knew.

And soon, it wouldn't be left unsaid anymore.

This 𝓬ontent is taken from fгeewebnovёl.co𝙢.