Chapter 4: The Library Study Session
612 Words
Megan's POV
The St. Vivienne library was more of a cathedral than a study hall. Towering mahogany shelves, stained-glass windows, and the suffocating smell of old paper. Normally, this was my sanctuary. Today, it felt like a trap.
"You're late," I said, not looking up as a heavy bag thudded onto the table next to mine.
"Technically, I'm on 'Liam Time,' which means I arrive exactly when the party starts," Liam replied. He pulled out a chair, his knee brushing against mine under the small wooden table.
I jumped as if I'd been shocked. "Space, Carter. There's no one in this aisle to see us."
"Force of habit, Foster," he muttered, though he didn't move his leg. He opened his physics textbook to a page that looked like it hadn't been touched since the day it was printed.
"Besides, Sophie has spies everywhere. If we aren't 'on' even when we think we're alone, someone will catch the slip."
I sighed, clicking my pen repeatedly.
"Fine. But focus. If I'm going to be your 'stable' girlfriend, you actually have to pass this midterm. I have a reputation for brilliance to uphold."
Liam let out a short, dry laugh. "God, you're still so bossy. Some things never change."
"And you're still a slacker. Some things never change," I retorted.
We sat in silence for twenty minutes, the only sound being the scratching of my pencil. But I couldn't focus. I could feel the heat radiating from him. Every time he shifted or sighed, I was acutely aware of him.
Liam's POV
I wasn't studying. I was staring at the way Megan's tongue poked out of the corner of her mouth when she was concentrating. It was a habit she'd had since we were ten. Back then, it was cute. Now, it was... distracting.
"You're doing the force equations wrong," I said suddenly, reaching over.
"I am not," she snapped, pulling the paper away. "I have a 4.0, Liam. I think I know how gravity works."
"Evidently not, because you forgot to account for the friction of the slope." I didn't wait for her permission. I leaned in, my chest nearly touching her shoulder, and grabbed her hand to guide the pencil.
Megan froze. Her breath hitched, and I realized how close we were. I could see the golden flecks in her dark eyes and the way her pulse was fluttering at the base of her throat. The air in the library suddenly felt ten degrees hotter.
"Liam," she whispered, her voice breathy.
"I'm just... fixing the math," I murmured. I wasn't looking at the paper anymore. I was looking at her lips.
For a second, the fake dating, the scholarship sabotage, and the three years of hating each other vanished. It was just us. I started to lean in, my heart hammering against my ribs like a trapped bird.
THUD.
A book dropped in the next aisle. Megan jerked back so fast she almost tipped her chair over.
"I-I think I have enough notes," she stammered, frantically shoving her supplies into her bag. Her face was a deep, beautiful crimson.
"Megan, wait-"
"See you at practice, Liam!" she called out, already halfway down the aisle.
I sat there, staring at the empty chair. My hand was still hovering where hers had been. I was supposed to be the one in control, the one who knew this was all a game. So why were my palms sweating?
"Smooth, Carter," I muttered to myself, rubbing my face. "Real smooth."
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