Beyond friendship

Chapter 2: A Glimpse of something more

As the days went by, Maddie and Alex continued to study together, their friendship growing stronger with each passing day. They had found a comfortable rhythm, and their conversations flowed easily, covering everything from psychology to music to their favorite TV shows.

One evening, as they were walking out of the library, Alex turned to Maddie and asked, "Hey, do you want to grab some dinner with me? I'm starving!"

Maddie's heart skipped a beat at the invitation. She loved spending time with Alex, and the thought of dinner together sounded like a perfect way to unwind.

"Sure, I'd love to," she replied, trying to sound casual.

They walked to a nearby café, chatting about their day. Over dinner, Alex told Maddie about his passion for engineering, and she was struck by his creativity and problem-solving skills. As they talked, Maddie found herself feeling more and more at ease in Alex's presence.

As the night wore on, they discovered they had more in common than they thought. Both loved hiking, trying new foods, and watching old movies. Their conversation was effortless, and Maddie felt like she could be herself around Alex.

As they finished their meal and prepared to part ways, Alex looked at Maddie and said, "I'm really glad we did this tonight. You're one of my favorite people to hang out with."

Maddie's heart fluttered at his words. "I feel the same way, Alex," she replied, smiling up at him.

As they stood there, the atmosphere between them shifted, becoming charged with a newfound awareness. Maddie felt a spark of attraction, and for a moment, she wondered if maybe, just maybe, there was something more to their friendship.

But then Alex smiled and said, "I'll walk you back to your dorm," and the moment was gone.

Maddie pushed aside her thoughts, telling herself she was just being silly. After all, she valued their friendship above everything, and she wasn't about to risk ruining it by developing feelings for her best friend.

Or was she?

*To be continued...*