Behind The Username

CHAPTER 5: CHOOSING TO STAY

«WHISPER

MoonlitInk (7:02 A.M.)

Question.

Orion (7:03 A.M.)

Go ahead.

MoonlitInk

Do you think people become friends by accident... or by choice?

A longer pause than usual.

Orion

I think they meet by accident.

They stay by choice.

Lena read the reply twice before slipping her phone into her bag.»

---

By Friday afternoon, the campus was buzzing with the familiar excitement that came just before the weekend.

Students poured out of lecture halls, making plans for movies, football matches, cafés and much-needed sleep.

Lena stepped out of the Psychology building, hugging a stack of books to her chest.

Her phone buzzed.

Ethan

«I'm heading to the library to look over our notes.»

«If you're free.»

She stared at the message.

It wasn't really an invitation.

It wasn't exactly just information either.

A smile found its way onto her face.

She typed back.

«Give me ten minutes.»

---

The library was quieter than usual.

Ethan was already seated by the window, his laptop open and several papers spread neatly across the table.

Lena placed two takeaway cups on the desk.

"I figured coffee makes studying slightly less painful."

He looked up.

"...You remembered."

"What?"

"You remembered I drink coffee."

She shrugged.

"It wasn't exactly difficult."

He accepted the cup.

"Thank you."

"You don't have to thank me every five minutes."

"I know."

"...Thank you for reminding me."

She laughed, shaking her head.

"You did that on purpose."

"Maybe."

She pointed at him dramatically.

"That was a joke."

"I've been practicing."

"I'm impressed."

---

An hour slipped by.

The project was moving faster than either of them expected.

Lena had finished organizing the interview questions while Ethan refined the technical section.

"You know," Lena said, reading over her notes, "I think people treat AI differently depending on what they're missing."

Ethan looked interested.

"Explain."

"If someone feels lonely..."

"They'll probably become attached more easily."

He nodded slowly.

"And someone who's already surrounded by people?"

"They might see it as just another tool."

He wrote something down.

"What?"

"I liked what you said."

She smiled.

"I'll try not to let it inflate my ego."

"I think it's too late."

She laughed.

"There you go again."

"What?"

"That dry sense of humor."

"I have one?"

"You absolutely do."

---

A loud growl interrupted the conversation.

Lena froze.

Her cheeks turned pink.

"...Please pretend that wasn't my stomach."

Ethan looked at the clock.

"You skipped lunch."

"It wasn't intentional."

"It usually isn't."

She blinked.

"...You noticed?"

"You looked tired yesterday too."

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

He had noticed.

Not in a dramatic way.

Just... quietly.

Before she could respond, Ethan closed his notebook.

"Come on."

"What?"

"Let's eat."

"Oh, no, I'm fine."

"Lena."

"I'm serious."

"So am I."

She hesitated.

"We're in the middle of studying."

"We'll continue after."

She narrowed her eyes playfully.

"Are you always this stubborn?"

"I've been told I am."

"...Fine."

"But only because my stomach has embarrassed me."

---

The campus café was lively.

Students filled nearly every table.

After a few minutes, they found a small corner booth.

Lena studied the menu.

"I can never decide."

"You ordered the same thing last time."

She looked up in surprise.

"...You remember that too?"

"You like chicken wraps."

"And iced coffee."

She stared at him for a second before smiling.

"You notice a lot."

"I guess I do."

When the food arrived, the conversation drifted away from assignments.

They talked about lecturers.

Childhood pets.

Favorite books.

Maya's habit of talking with her hands.

Mason's inability to whisper.

It was easy.

Unexpectedly easy.

At one point, Lena laughed so hard she nearly dropped her drink.

Ethan didn't laugh as loudly.

He simply watched her with that small, almost invisible smile she was beginning to recognize.

She caught him.

"What?"

"Nothing."

"You were smiling."

"I don't think I was."

"You definitely were."

He sighed in mock defeat.

"...Maybe a little."

She grinned.

"I knew it."

For the first time...

Neither of them realized how much time had passed.

The project had been finished nearly thirty minutes earlier.

They were still sitting there.

Still talking.

Not because they had to.

Because neither of them had suggested leaving.

And somehow...

That felt important.

The afternoon sunlight filtered through the café windows, painting warm patterns across the table.

For a while, neither of them spoke.

Not because the conversation had ended.

Because the silence itself had become comfortable.

Lena absentmindedly stirred the ice in her drink.

"So..."

"If you weren't studying engineering..."

"...what would you be doing?"

Ethan thought for a moment.

"I honestly don't know."

"No secret dream?"

He looked out the window.

"I used to like photography."

Her eyes lit up.

"Really?"

"My brother bought me my first camera."

The words left his mouth before he could stop them.

A shadow crossed his expression.

Lena noticed it immediately.

"You don't have to tell me if it's difficult."

He looked back at her.

"...He's gone."

She didn't ask how.

Or when.

Or why.

Instead...

"I'm sorry."

It wasn't the automatic apology she gave everyone.

It was quiet.

Sincere.

Ethan nodded once.

"Thank you."

The conversation moved on naturally.

No awkwardness.

No forced sympathy.

Just understanding.

---

"What about you?" he asked.

She smiled.

"I've always wanted to write."

He looked surprised.

"Books?"

She nodded.

"Novels."

"I make up stories all the time."

"My mum says I disappear into my own head."

He tilted his head slightly.

"I can believe that."

She laughed.

"Is that another Ethan compliment?"

"It might be."

"You really are getting better at this."

"I've had a good teacher."

She blinked.

"...Was that flirting?"

"I don't think so."

"I don't think you know."

"...Probably not."

They both laughed.

---

As they stepped outside, a cool breeze swept across the courtyard.

Dark clouds had gathered overhead.

"I think it's going to rain," Lena said.

Right on cue...

A single raindrop landed on the back of her hand.

Then another.

Within seconds, the drizzle turned into steady rain.

Students scattered in every direction, laughing as they ran for cover.

Lena instinctively hugged her books closer.

"Oh no..."

Without a word, Ethan unzipped his backpack.

He pulled out a folded umbrella.

She smiled.

"You actually carry one?"

"My weather app is usually right."

She laughed.

"Of course it is."

He opened the umbrella and held it out to her.

"You should take it."

She looked at him.

"...What about you?"

"I'll be fine."

She glanced at the rain pouring down beyond the shelter.

"No, you won't."

"I don't mind rain."

"I do."

A small pause.

"Then we'll both use it."

For the first time...

Ethan hesitated.

Then he nodded.

"...Okay."

The umbrella wasn't particularly large.

As they walked toward the university gates, their shoulders brushed every now and then.

Neither commented on it.

Neither moved away.

Halfway across the courtyard, Lena noticed something.

The umbrella wasn't centered.

Ethan was holding it slightly toward her.

His left shoulder was already damp.

She reached up and gently adjusted the handle until it sat evenly between them.

He looked at her.

"You'll get wet."

She smiled.

"So will you."

A tiny smile appeared on his face.

"...Fair enough."

They continued walking.

Side by side.

The rain falling softly around them.

For anyone watching...

It looked ordinary.

For Lena...

It was the nicest walk home she'd had in a very long time.

For Ethan...

It was the first time in years that silence didn't feel lonely.

---

That night...

«WHISPER

MoonlitInk

Did you get caught in the rain today?

Orion

A little.

MoonlitInk

I hope you didn't get sick.

Ethan looked at the message and smiled.

Orion

I don't think I will.

It was worth it.

Lena frowned curiously.

Worth getting rained on?

After a moment...

Orion

Some things are.

She smiled at the mysterious reply.

Goodnight, Orion.

Orion

Goodnight, Moonlit.

Outside, the rain continued long after both of them had fallen asleep.

Neither of them knew...

Today was the first time they had chosen each other's company without needing a reason.

It wouldn't be the last.»