YOU,ME,AND THEM A LOVE STORY

Questions Without Answers

CHAPTER 23

(Leanne’s POV)

Leanne was starting to think Adrian Cortez appeared out of nowhere on purpose.

Because somehow—

Every time she saw him—

Something weird happened.

Currently, Leanne stood outside the academy library holding three books and a coffee she absolutely did not trust herself to carry safely.

The hallways were quieter today.

Most students were busy preparing for upcoming exams while the literature club members disappeared into their own responsibilities.

Chris had student council work.

Carl was helping organize academy events.

Ren was buried alive under assignments voluntarily.

And Kai apparently locked himself inside the kitchen again.

Which meant—

Leanne was alone.

Tragic.

As she carefully walked through the hallway—

Her coffee suddenly slipped slightly from her hand.

“Oh no—”

Before disaster could happen—

Someone grabbed the cup smoothly.

Steady hands.

Calm movements.

Leanne blinked.

And immediately sighed.

“…Of course it’s you.”

Adrian looked down at her calmly while holding the coffee effortlessly.

“You nearly dropped it.”

“That sounds like a personal attack.”

“It’s an observation.”

Leanne narrowed her eyes slightly before taking the coffee back carefully.

“…Do you secretly follow me around?”

Adrian looked completely serious.

“No.”

“Suspicious answer.”

Silence.

Then unexpectedly—

The corner of Adrian’s mouth lifted slightly.

Tiny.

Almost invisible.

But definitely there.

Leanne froze internally.

Wait.

Did Adrian Cortez just almost smile?

Impossible.

That was probably a hallucination.

Then Adrian glanced toward the books in her arms.

“Literature analysis?”

“Unfortunately.”

“You dislike reading?”

“I dislike essays.”

“That’s understandable.”

Leanne blinked slightly.

Conversations with Adrian always felt strange.

Not awkward.

Just…

Different.

Like he already understood her somehow.

Then suddenly—

A strong gust of wind blew through the open hallway windows.

Several papers slipped from Leanne’s books instantly.

“Oh no—”

Adrian caught most of them before they hit the floor.

Fast.

Way too fast.

Leanne crouched down quickly to grab the remaining papers.

And paused.

Because one paper accidentally unfolded.

A scholarship form.

Her scholarship form.

Adrian froze too.

For one second—

His calm expression shifted slightly.

Something softer.

Almost sad.

Then it disappeared immediately.

Leanne slowly stood up again while staring at him carefully.

“…You really know my mom, don’t you?”

Silence.

Adrian handed the paper back calmly.

“She’s a good person.”

“That’s not an answer.”

Adrian stayed quiet.

And somehow—

That silence itself already felt suspicious.

Leanne crossed her arms slowly.

“Every time I ask about this, both of you act weird.”

“You’re imagining things.”

“I’m literally not.”

Adrian sighed softly afterward.

The sound almost seemed tired.

Then quietly—

“Some things are complicated.”

Leanne blinked slightly.

“…That sounded dramatic.”

“It’s true.”

The answer came quietly this time.

More personal.

Less distant.

And suddenly—

Leanne noticed something strange again.

Whenever Adrian looked at her—

His expression softened.

Not romantically.

Not awkwardly.

Just…

Warm.

Protective almost.

Like he cared about her for reasons she didn’t understand.

Then unexpectedly—

Adrian reached forward slightly and fixed the crooked strap of her bag carefully.

The movement was natural.

Familiar.

Like habit.

Leanne froze.

Because somehow—

That tiny gesture felt weirdly comforting.

Adrian paused too after realizing what he did.

Then slowly pulled his hand back.

Silence.

“…You do that like you’ve done it before,” Leanne said quietly.

Adrian’s eyes widened slightly.

Only slightly.

Then his expression became calm again.

“You remind me of someone.”

The answer came too quickly.

Like an excuse prepared beforehand.

Leanne narrowed her eyes.

Suspicious.

Very suspicious.

Then suddenly—

Voices echoed from the hallway nearby.

Students approaching.

Adrian immediately stepped back slightly, his calm student council president mask returning instantly.

Like the softer version of him disappeared again.

“We should go,” he said quietly.

Leanne stared at him carefully.

“…You’re weird.”

Adrian looked almost amused.

“That’s rude.”

“You started it.”

For a second—

Another tiny smile appeared again.

Then disappeared immediately.

And somehow—

Leanne’s chest tightened strangely afterward.

Because deep down—

She felt it.

Something important connected her and Adrian somehow.

She just didn’t know what yet.