Echoes Between Us

Episode 5 : Between lines and heartbeat

The library had a way of swallowing sound, like the walls were built to keep secrets.

Outside, autmn rain drummed against the window in a steady, hypnotic tone. Alana was buried in a pile of research books, each one bristling with sticky notes and highlighted passages. She'd claimed a corner table, hoping for silence.

But silence never lasted long when Jesse Walker was involved.

'' Your fortress looks impressive. '' his voice came from behind her, light with amusement. '' Mind if I breach it ? ''

She didn't look up. '' I'm pretty sure that this is a 'no fly zone ' for distractions. ''

'' That's fine. I'm more of a ground invasion kind of guy. '' He slid into the seat across from her without waiting for permission, shaking droplets from his hair. He smelled faintly of the rain and that warm cologne he always seemed to wear--subtle but maddening.

'' Don't you have your own research to do ? '' she asked, finally meeting his gaze.

'' I do. '' he admitted, leaning back. '' But I thought I'd.... consolidate resources. You are a walking encyclopedia when it comes to this debate. ''

'' That's because I actually care about winning on merit, not charm. '' she said, her eyes narrowing.

He grinned, completely unfazed. '' Why can't I have both ? ''

She shook her head, turning back to her notes. But she could feel his gaze lingering---steady, curious. It was infuriating, distracting and.... oddly warming.

Minutes passed in quiet, broken only by the shuffle of paper and the rain outside. Then, Jesse's voice softened. '' Hey, what's this ? ''

Alana glanced up to find him holding a small leather notebook--- hers. She must have left it open when she reached for another book. '' Give that back. '' she said sharply, reaching across the table.

But he'd read enough to shift the air between them. '' These aren't debate notes. ''

Her chest tightened. '' No, they are not. ''

'' They are.... poems ? '' he asked, voice careful now.

Heat rushed to her cheeks. She snatched the notebook from him, snapping it shut. '' It's nothing. Just.... something I do sometimes. It's private. ''

'' I didn't mean to snoop. '' he said, his usual swagger replaced by something gentler. '' They are good. Really good. ''

She blinked, caught off guard by the sincerity in his tone. '' You don't have to--- ''

'' I'm not flattering you. '' he cut in. '' They're raw. Honest. Kind of like you when you're not trying so hard to keep your guard up. ''

The words landed heavier than she'd expected. She'd always been the one reading people, not the other way around.

Before she could respond, a loud clap of thunder shook the windows, and the overhead lights flickered. The rain had turned into a full storm, lashing against the glass. Jesse glanced towards the window. '' Looks like we are stuck here for a while. ''

Alana frowned. '' Stuck with you ? Great. ''

'' Come on, '' he said, standing. '' If we are going to wait this out, we might as well make it intresting. ''

She arched an eyebrow. '' Intresting how ? ''

Five minutes later, they were in the reading nook near the backshelves, a place most students forgot existed. Jesse had found a deck of cards in the librarian's drawer, and now they were sitting cross--legged, playing a quick game of Speed.

'' Loser answers a personal question. '' he declared.

'' That's not how Speed works. ''

'' It is now. ''

The game began. They moved fast, cards slapping down in a blur. When she won the first round, she smirked. '' What is your biggest fear ? ''

He hesitated for the first time since she'd known him. '' Disappointing the people who believed in me. ''

It was unexpectedly serious and for a moment she didn't know how to respond.'' That's... not what I expected you to say. ''

'' What did you expect ? Sharks ? Clowns ? ''

She smiled faintly. '' Something shallow, yeah. ''

He won the next round, and his grin returned. '' Alright, my turn. What's one thing you've never told anyone ? ''

She hesitated. The safe answer would be something silly. But something in his expression---open, waiting---made her take a different route. '' I've thougt about quitting debate before. More than once. ''

'' Why ? ''

'' Because sometimes it feels like I'm shouting into the wind. Like no one actually cares about the truth, just the performances. ''

He didn't tease, just nodded slowly as if he understood more than she realised.

The storm outside roared on, but in the little nook, time seemed to slow. They played a few more rounds, each one peeling back a thin layer.

Then came the round where their hands brushed---once, twice---until neither of them moved away fast enough.

The air between them shifted.

Jesse's voice was more quiet, almost hesitant. '' You know... you are not what I expected either. ''

'' And what did you expect ? '' she asked, her pulse ticking faster.

'' Someone who saw me as everyone else. Arrogant. Untouchable. Not worth the effort. ''

Her breath caught. '' Maybe I still do. ''

He smiled faintly, but his eyes searched hers like he was looking for something more. '' Yeah. Maybe. '' The thunder cracked again, but neither of them flinched this time. Their knees were almost touchin now, the air between them charged with something neither of them wanted to name just yet.

The storm eventually eased and they packed up in silence. But as they walked out of the library, Jesse paused at the door.

'' Alana, ''

She turned.

'' Your poems, '' he said. '' You should let people read them some day. ''

She didn't answer, but the look in his eyes stayed with her long after they stepped in the rain.