Finding light in the darkest places—through love

Evelyn lay awake long after returning to her dorm, staring at the ceiling.

The night had been different—unexpected. Something about the way Adrian spoke, the way he listened, made her feel… lighter.

As if the weight she carried wasn't hers alone anymore.

But that terrified her, too.

The next morning, she found herself hesitating outside the campus café. It was early, and she was running on little sleep.

A part of her hoped Adrian wouldn't be there. Another part—one she wasn't ready to acknowledge—hoped he would.

"Evelyn?"

She turned, and there he was, looking equally surprised to see her.

"Didn't expect to see you up this early,"

he said, a lazy grin tugging at his lips.

"I could say the same about you."

He chuckled.

"Touché. Coffee?"

She nodded, and they stepped inside together.

The café was bustling with students cramming for exams, the scent of espresso thick in the air.

Adrian ordered his usual black coffee, while Evelyn got a vanilla latte.

"So,"

he said as they sat by the window,

"Did you think about what I said last night?"

Evelyn froze, her fingers tightening around her cup.

Of course, he wasn't going to just let it go.

"Not really,"

she lied.

Adrian smirked.

"Liar."

She sighed.

"It's just… complicated."

"I never said it wasn't,"

he replied, taking a sip of his coffee.

"But you're thinking about it, which means something."

She hated how he saw through her so easily.

Before she could respond, the door swung open, and a familiar voice called out.

"Hey! There you guys are!"

It was Mia, her roommate, with Jake trailing behind.

Evelyn felt a strange relief at the interruption.

Mia slid into the seat beside her, grinning.

"You two having a secret breakfast meeting?"

Adrian smirked.

"Obviously. We're plotting world domination."

Jake snorted.

"Why am I not surprised?"

Evelyn rolled her eyes but smiled, grateful for the easy banter.

As the conversation drifted to upcoming assignments and weekend plans, she let herself relax.

Maybe she didn't have to figure everything out right away.

Maybe, for now, it was enough to just be.