Fated To Find You

Chapter 6

As the end of the semester approached, Jasmine found herself buried in her studies. The library became her second home, a sanctuary where she could immerse herself in her coursework and prepare for the upcoming exams. She was determined to excel, and her dedication did not go unnoticed.

Jasmine’s hard work and studious demeanor made her stand out among her peers. More and more male students began to take notice of her, whispering about her commitment and beauty. Even Radley, who had been preoccupied with his own studies, heard the murmurs around campus. It was clear that Jasmine was becoming an admired figure, and he couldn’t help but feel a pang of jealousy at the thought.

One afternoon, Radley decided to visit the library, hoping to catch up with Jasmine. He entered the building, scanning the tables until he spotted her in the far corner. To his surprise, she was seated next to another male student, engrossed in a discussion about their assignments.

Radley felt a knot tighten in his stomach as he observed the scene. The boy was leaning in a bit too close, his gaze fixed on Jasmine with an intensity that made Radley’s skin crawl. Jasmine, completely unaware of the attention she was receiving, was focused on helping the boy understand a complex problem.

Radley’s heart raced with an unfamiliar frustration. He didn’t like seeing Jasmine with someone else, especially in such an intimate setting. Couldn’t the guy see that Jasmine was busy?

Taking a deep breath to steady himself, Radley made his way over to their table. He approached with a casual confidence, but inside, he felt a storm of emotions brewing. As he drew closer, he caught Jasmine’s eye.

"Hey,"

Radley said, offering a smile that was more composed than he felt.

"Mind if I join you?"

Jasmine looked surprised to see him.

"Radley? I didn’t expect to see you here today. I thought you had classes."

"I finished early,"

He replied, trying to keep his tone light.

"Thought I’d come by and see what you were up to."

The boy beside Jasmine looked slightly annoyed but quickly masked it with a polite smile.

"Sure, the more the merrier,"

he said, though his eyes were still on Jasmine, which made Radley bristle.

Jasmine shifted in her seat, clearly pleased to see Radley.

"We were just working on some math problems."

Radley shook his head, trying to focus on her rather than the other guy.

"I’m good, thanks. Just wanted to hang out."

As the three of them sat together, Radley couldn’t shake the feeling of discomfort. He watched as Jasmine explained a concept to the boy, her face lighting up with enthusiasm. It was a sight that should have made him happy, but instead, it only fueled his irritation.

Feeling a surge of protectiveness, Radley leaned closer to Jasmine.

"You’ve been spending a lot of time studying lately,"

He said, his voice low.

"I hope you’re not too stressed."

Jasmine smiled, grateful for his concern.

"I’m just trying to keep up. Finals are coming, and I want to do well."

The other boy interjected,

"You’re really doing great, Jasmine. I could use your help on more problems."

Radley shot him a look, but Jasmine didn’t seem to notice the tension.

"I’m happy to help!"

Jasmine replied cheerfully, her focus entirely on her studies.

Radley felt a mix of admiration and frustration, he wanted to remind her that she didn’t have to do everything alone. But before he could say anything, Jasmine turned to him, her expression brightening.

"Have you been studying for finals too? We should study together soon."

"Absolutely,"

Radley said, his heart lifting at the thought.

"How about this weekend? Just you and me?"

Jasmine nodded, excitement in her eyes.

"That sounds great!"

As the conversation continued, Radley made a mental note to ensure that their time together remained special. He didn’t want anyone else getting too close to Jasmine, and he was determined to show her just how much she meant to him.