The campus quad was alive with late afternoon energy. Students drifted between classes, laughter spilling across the stone pathways, sneakers squeaking against the concrete, and the aroma of coffee wafting from the café nearby. Rina settled into a sun-warmed bench, sketchbook in her lap but untouched. She stared blankly at the page, pencil idle, thoughts spinning faster than she could process.
Bree plopped down beside her, backpack sliding onto the ground. “Okay, spill,” she said, voice low and conspiratorial. “What’s going on with you?”
Rina exhaled sharply, leaning back. “I… don’t know. I’m just—confused.”
“Confused?” Bree raised an eyebrow, one leg tucked beneath her. “Because you’re staring at him again?”
Rina groaned. “No! I’m… thinking. Observing.”
Bree smirked knowingly. “Obser
