Chapter 4: The Almost Confession
351 Words
It was a quiet Thursday afternoon when their group decided to meet at the campus café to finish their presentation.
Lena arrived first, as usual, sipping her iced coffee and reviewing the slides. She wore a simple white T-shirt, a messy bun, and the same calm presence Adrian had grown used to — and maybe a little addicted to.
He arrived a few minutes later, holding two drinks.
“One’s for you,” he said casually, placing the iced caramel latte in front of her.
“You remembered my order?” Lena blinked, surprised.
Adrian shrugged. “It’s not hard. You’ve ordered the same thing every week for two months.”
That made her smile — the kind of smile that reached her eyes.
The group meeting lasted an hour. They went over designs, split the talking parts, and laughed more than they probably should’ve.
But when everyone else left, Adrian stayed behind.
Lena noticed. “You’re not leaving?”
He hesitated. “I… wanted to ask you something.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Okay… shoot.”
He leaned forward, suddenly serious. “Did you ever like someone who didn’t like you back?”
Her heart skipped.
Was this about Mia again?
“I think everyone has,” she said softly.
He looked at her for a long second. “What did you do?”
Lena glanced away. “Nothing. You just… move on. Slowly.”
Adrian’s voice dropped. “And what if… you start to like someone else, without meaning to?”
Her fingers tightened slightly around her cup. “Then maybe… you tell them.”
Their eyes met — just long enough for the silence to say everything.
And then Mia walked in.
“Oops,” she said, surprised. “You two still here?”
Adrian quickly stood up, clearing his throat. “Just finished.”
Lena forced a smile. “Yeah, we were just leaving.”
As they walked out into the late afternoon sun, their hands brushed — not by accident.
But neither of them said a word.
Some feelings stay quiet.
At least… for now.
- Writer
