Heated Desire

A Necessary Break.

(Isabella’s POV)

I was done with my classes for the day, so I went to the library.The library was quiet, just the way I liked it. It was one of the few places on campus where everything felt calm. No loud conversations. No music. Just the soft sound of pages turning and keyboards clicking.It helped me think.I walked slowly between the tall shelves, breathing in the familiar smell of books and paper. Some students were already sitting at the tables, reading or typing on their laptops. Everyone looked serious, like they were struggling with academic activities.I headed toward my usual table near the window.Then I froze.Victoria was sitting there.I blinked in surprise.She was leaning back in the chair, scrolling through her phone, looking completely out of place among all the quiet students.“Wake me up if I’m dreaming,” I said, smiling as I walked closer. “What are you doing here?”She yawned and stretched like someone who had just woken up.“This is the only place I know I can find you,” she said. “Honestly, this place is so boring.”I laughed and sat down across from her.“I knew it,” I said. “You can’t possibly be here to read.”She frowned at me.“Wow, Isabella. Is that how you greet your best friend?”“My best friend doesn’t come to the library unless it’s an emergency,” I replied.She rolled her eyes.“I barely see you these days,” she said. “It’s unfair.”“We met two days ago,” I reminded her.“And we spoke yesterday,” I added.She waved her hand like that didn’t matter.“That’s not enough,” she said. “You should come live with me.”I sighed.“Victoria, not again.”She crossed her arms and leaned forward.“You are so stubborn,” she said.Victoria had been asking me to move into her family house for months. She said it would make my life easier. She said I wouldn’t have to worry about rent, food, or working so much.But that wasn’t the point.I didn’t want to depend on anyone like that.“I’m fine where I am,” I said.“You’re not fine,” she replied quickly.She looked at me carefully.“You look tired.”I shrugged.“I’m always tired.”“You work too much,” she said.“I work enough,” I replied.“You study too much too.”“I’m in college,” I said.Victoria leaned back in her chair and stared at the ceiling.“You’re impossible,” she said.“I’ve been told that before.”She laughed quietly.Then she leaned forward again.“You need rest,” she said.“I’ll rest after graduation,” I replied.She rolled her eyes again.“You’ve been saying that since Year One.”I smiled.She wasn’t wrong.Victoria and I had been friends since our first day in college. We met during orientation when she got lost trying to find the lecture hall. I helped her find it, and somehow we just kept talking after that.We were very different.Victoria was outgoing, loud, and confident. She liked parties, clubs, and meeting new people.I preferred quiet places, books, and small groups.But somehow it worked.She pulled me out of my comfort zone sometimes, and I helped her slow down when she needed it.“You should come over today,” she said suddenly.I looked up from my notebook.“It’s been a while,” she added.I thought about it.I didn’t have work today.And I had already finished most of my assignments for the week.Maybe she was right.Maybe I did need a break.“Alright,” I said.Her face lit up immediately.“Really?”“Yes.”She squealed loudly.Several students turned to glare at us.Victoria quickly covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.“Sorry,” she whispered.I couldn’t help smiling.Somehow, she always made serious places feel less serious.We stayed in the library for another hour. I worked on a few notes while Victoria watched videos quietly on her phone.Eventually she got bored.“Are you done yet?” she whispered.“Almost.”“You’ve said that three times.”“Patience.”Ten minutes later, I finally packed my books.“Now I’m done.”“Finally,” she said, standing up quickly.We walked out of the library together.The afternoon sun was warm, and the campus was busy with students walking between classes.Victoria talked the entire time as we walked toward the gate.She told me about a party she went to last weekend, a new restaurant she wanted to try, and a random argument she had with her cousin.I mostly listened.That was how it always worked.A short drive later, because Victoria drives like a maniac, like she kept an extra life at her house,we arrived at her house.I had been there many times before, but it still felt strange every time.The house was big.Much bigger than anything I had grown up in.The huge black gate opened and Victoria drove in, parking it, in the middle of the compound and threw her keys to the guard.I walked up the driveway with Victoria.She knocked once before opening the door.“I’m home!” she called.She turned to me and hugged me tightly.“I’m so happy you came,” she said.I laughed.“You say that every time.”“Because it’s true.”We walked into the kitchen.The smell of chocolate filled the room.“Mum made cookies,” Victoria said happily.A plate of chocolate cookies sat on the counter.I picked one up immediately.They were still warm.“These are amazing,” I said after my first bite.“I know,” Victoria said proudly, even though she didn’t make them.We sat at the kitchen table, eating cookies and talking.It felt nice.Normal.For a moment, I wasn’t thinking about work.Or essays.Or responsibilities.I was just relaxing.Then footsteps sounded in the hallway.I didn’t even need to look up.Alexander walked into the kitchen.He stopped when he saw me sitting there.For a second, neither of us said anything.Then he walked over to the counter and took a cookie.“Alexander,” I said.“Isabella,” he replied.Victoria looked between us.“Wow,” she said. “You two are not fighting for once.”“She isn’t worth my time,” he said calmly.I frowned immediately.“Like I care.”He didn’t reply.He just took his cookie and walked out of the kitchen.Victoria sighed loudly.“Ignore him.”“I am,” I said.“He’s just… like that sometimes.”“I know,” I replied.She looked at me carefully.“You okay?”“I’m fine.”And I meant it.I leaned back in my chair and took another cookie.For once, I wasn’t thinking about work, assignments, or responsibilities.I was just there.And for the moment, that was enough.