Friday at the Library
894 Words
Friday afternoon arrived faster than either of them expected.
The library at Westbridge University was unusually quiet.
Sunlight streamed through the tall windows, casting warm patterns across the wooden tables.
Elena arrived five minutes early.
She placed her psychology textbook on the table and checked her phone.
❤️ Ethan
Drive safe tomorrow. I can’t wait to see you.
She smiled and replied.
Me too. See you tomorrow. ❤️
Just as she locked her phone, a chair slid back across from her.
“You really are early.”
Elena looked up.
Damian was carrying two notebooks and a laptop.
“I don’t like keeping people waiting.”
He sat down.
“I’ll remember that.”
For a brief moment, they simply looked at each other.
Then Elena cleared her throat.
“Should we start?”
Damian nodded.
“Let’s do it.”
An hour passed.
They divided the project into sections, compared ideas, and planned their interviews.
To Elena’s surprise…
Damian took the assignment seriously.
“I thought you hated studying,” she admitted.
He looked up from his notebook.
“What gave you that idea?”
“I don’t know…”
She smiled sheepishly.
“You just don’t look like someone who spends time in the library.”
He laughed quietly.
“I don’t.”
She raised an eyebrow.
“So how are you good at this?”
“My dad expects perfect grades.”
“You get them?”
“Most of the time.”
She blinked.
“I definitely judged you too quickly.”
“It happens.”
His smile faded slightly.
“Most people do.”
Something in his voice caught her attention.
For the first time…
She wondered if there was more to Damian than the rumors.
Around four o’clock…
Elena rubbed her eyes.
“I’m starving.”
Damian glanced at his watch.
“So am I.”
“The café?”
“It’s packed on Fridays.”
She sighed dramatically.
“So what do we do?”
A small smile appeared on Damian’s face.
“I know somewhere better.”
Ten minutes later…
They walked to a small café just outside the university gates.
It was quiet.
Comfortable.
Nothing like the busy places on campus.
“This is nice,” Elena said.
“Told you.”
The waitress approached.
“What can I get you?”
Elena smiled.
“Hot chocolate, please.”
Damian looked at her with amusement.
“You really love hot chocolate.”
“I told you.”
“And I’ll have an iced coffee.”
When the waitress left, Elena looked around.
“You come here often?”
“Sometimes.”
“When I need to think.”
She smiled.
“I like it.”
For a few seconds…
Neither of them spoke.
The silence felt comfortable.
Not forced.
Not awkward.
Damian found himself studying her.
She laughed with her whole heart.
She listened when people spoke.
She never tried to impress anyone.
She was unlike every girl he’d ever met.
Their drinks arrived.
Elena wrapped both hands around her mug.
“This is amazing.”
“I told you.”
She smiled at him.
“You were right.”
For some reason…
Those three words made Damian’s chest feel strangely warm.
Then Elena’s phone rang.
The screen lit up.
❤️ Ethan Calling
Her entire face brightened.
“Sorry.”
She stood up.
“I’ll be right back.”
She stepped outside the café.
Damian watched through the window as she answered.
She smiled.
She laughed.
She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
Whatever Ethan was saying…
It made her happy.
Damian looked away.
For the first time since making the bet…
He didn’t feel competitive.
He felt disappointed.
Outside…
“Hi!” Elena answered happily.
“Guess what?” Ethan said.
“I’m leaving early tomorrow.”
“Really?”
“I’ll be on campus before ten.”
She couldn’t hide her excitement.
“I can’t wait to see you.”
“I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you too.”
“I love you.”
“I love you more.”
After hanging up, Elena took a deep breath before walking back inside.
“I’m sorry.”
“No problem,” Damian replied.
“Everything okay?”
She smiled.
“Ethan’s coming tomorrow.”
“He’s arriving earlier than planned.”
“That’s good.”
“It is.”
She didn’t notice Damian forcing a smile.
As they walked back toward campus, the evening sun painted the sky shades of orange and pink.
They reached the entrance to Elena’s dorm.
“Thanks for today,” she said.
“For the project…”
“…and the hot chocolate.”
“You’re welcome.”
She smiled.
“I’ll see you on Monday.”
“Have a good weekend.”
“You too.”
Elena waved before disappearing inside the building.
Damian stood there for a long moment.
His phone buzzed.
It was a message from Mason.
How’s the bet going? Is she falling for you yet?
Damian stared at the screen.
Then he typed three words.
She’s still happy.
He slipped his phone into his pocket and looked once more at the dorm entrance.
Tomorrow, Elena would spend the entire day with Ethan.
And for reasons he couldn’t explain…
That thought bothered him far more than it should have.
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