Falling for the Enemy

Close, But not close Enough

Episode 5: Close, But Not Close Enough

Anastasia found herself thinking about the café far more than she wanted to. She replayed the conversation over and over in her mind—Neo’s teasing words, the way his eyes had softened when he spoke seriously, and the strange flutter in her chest when their gazes had met. It was unsettling how easily he had gotten under her skin.

By the time their next study session came around, she had convinced herself that she was ready. Ready to go back to their normal routine. To focus on the project. To push aside the strange feelings that had started to stir. She couldn’t afford distractions.

But when Neo walked into the library with that easy smile, her heart betrayed her.

“Hey,” he said casually, dropping into the seat across from her. “Miss me?”

Anastasia rolled her eyes, trying to act unaffected. “You’re late again.”

“Yeah, yeah,” he said, brushing her comment aside. “But I bring good news. I got us an extension on the project. Thought you’d appreciate a little breathing room.”

Her eyes widened in surprise. “You… got us an extension?”

Neo shrugged. “What can I say? I have my ways.”

For a moment, Anastasia wasn’t sure how to react. She had been so focused on keeping to their strict timeline, and now, with more time, she felt an unexpected sense of relief. But it wasn’t just about the project—it was the fact that Neo had thought of it, had done something thoughtful for her.

“Thanks,” she said quietly, still processing.

Neo leaned back in his chair, looking entirely too pleased with himself. “Don’t mention it.”

For the next hour, they worked in relative silence. But unlike their earlier sessions, the air between them felt different. Less tense. More… comfortable. Every now and then, Neo would glance up from his notes, catching Antastia’s eye, and she’d quickly look away, pretending to be engrossed in her work.

As they packed up for the day, Neo cleared his throat, breaking the silence.

“So, Anastasia,” he began, his tone casual but his eyes serious. “What’s your deal, anyway?”

Anastasia frowned. “My deal?”

“Yeah. I mean, you’re always so focused. Like, laser-focused. I get that you’re trying to make something of yourself, but don’t you ever just… relax?”

Anastasia stiffened at the question. She wasn’t used to talking about herself—at least, not like this. “Not everyone has the luxury of slacking off, Neo,” she said, her voice sharper than intended.

Neo held up his hands in surrender. “Whoa, easy. I wasn’t saying you’re slacking. I’m just… curious.”

She hesitated, then let out a sigh. “I’ve worked hard for everything I’ve got. I don’t have a backup plan. If I don’t succeed, I don’t have anyone waiting to catch me.”

Neo was quiet for a moment, his usual playful expression gone. “That’s a lot of pressure to put on yourself.”

Anastasia shrugged, uncomfortable with how vulnerable she had just made herself. “It’s just how it is.”

Neo leaned forward, his gaze intense but kind. “You know, just because you’re working hard doesn’t mean you have to shut everyone out. You don’t have to carry everything on your own.”

Antastia’s breath caught in her throat at his words. She wasn’t sure why, but hearing them from him—of all people—made something inside her ache. She wasn’t used to people seeing her, not like that.

“I’m not shutting anyone out,” she said, more defensive than she intended.

Neo gave her a knowing look, but he didn’t push it. Instead, he stood and slung his bag over his shoulder. “Well, if you ever need someone to catch you, I’m around.”

Anastasia stared at him, stunned by the sudden sincerity in his voice. She wanted to respond, but the words wouldn’t come. Before she could process what had just happened, Neo grinned and winked at her, breaking the moment.

“See you tomorrow,” he said, walking away without waiting for a reply.

Anastasia watched him leave, her mind a whirlwind of confusion. Neo was supposed to be the carefree one, the one who didn’t take anything seriously. So why was it that he seemed to understand her better than anyone else?

As she left the library, her thoughts were a jumbled mess of emotions she wasn’t ready to confront. Neo was a distraction—she had always known that. But now, it was becoming clear that he was a distraction she couldn’t quite bring herself to ignore.