Finding light in the darkest places—through love

Evelyn had never done something so reckless in her life.

Sneaking out of her dorm at midnight?

Walking through the campus with Adrian, of all people?

It felt surreal. If Past Evelyn had been told she'd be doing this, she would have laughed in disbelief.

Yet here she was, stuffing her hands into her jacket pockets as she walked beside Adrian down the dimly lit pathways.

"You're awfully quiet,"

Adrian noted, glancing at her.

"I'm just… processing,"

she admitted.

He smirked.

"Processing what?"

"How you keep roping me into your nonsense."

Adrian let out a low chuckle.

"Nonsense? This is a perfectly normal, healthy midnight stroll."

"In what world?"

"In my world."

He winked.

"Welcome, by the way."

She huffed but didn't argue.

The night air was crisp, the scent of rain still lingering from earlier.

The campus looked different at this hour—quieter, softer like it existed in a different timeline.

Evelyn stole a glance at Adrian. He walked with easy confidence, hands in his hoodie pockets, as if he belonged anywhere he went.

It was a trait she both envied and didn't understand.

"How do you do that?"

she asked suddenly.

He raised an eyebrow.

"Do what?"

"Just… exist like this. So carefree."

Adrian was quiet for a beat before he shrugged.

"Guess I just don't see the point in worrying about things I can't control."

She frowned.

"That's ridiculous."

"Is it?"

He shot her a look.

"You overthink everything, Evelyn. Every conversation, every situation, every tiny interaction. It's exhausting just watching you do it."

She stiffened.

"I can't help it."

"I know,"

he said, his voice softer now.

"But you could try letting go a little."

Evelyn looked away, chewing the inside of her cheek.

Let go? She didn't know how.

They reached a small park area with an empty bench.

Adrian plopped down onto it and patted the space beside him.

"Sit."

She hesitated.

"Oh, come on,"

he said.

"You've already broken one of your rules tonight. What's one more?"

With an exasperated sigh, she sank onto the bench, crossing her arms.

"Happy?"

"Very."

The campus lights cast long shadows, and the sound of distant crickets filled the air.

It was… peaceful. Comfortable, even.

Then Adrian broke the silence.

"Do you ever think about what you actually want?"

Evelyn frowned.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, you spend so much time avoiding things, planning things, hiding from things… But what do you actually want?"

She opened her mouth—then closed it. No one had ever asked her that before.

Not in a way that mattered.

"…I don't know,"

she admitted quietly.

Adrian turned his head, watching her.

"That's kinda sad."

She let out a breathy laugh.

"Thanks."

"I'm serious. You should think about it."

Evelyn stared at the ground.

Maybe she should.

Maybe, for once, she needed to stop running from the answer.