TWISTED AFFECTION

Chapter 3 - Closer

After lunch, Lynn hurried off to her next class while I stayed behind, pretending to scroll through my phone. My eyes felt heavy. I barely slept last night, and my body was starting to give up.

Maybe I should rest for a bit.

I walked toward the garden behind the psychology building. Not many students went there, so it was quiet, shaded, and full of old benches. It was my secret spot — the place I went whenever I wanted to disappear.

Dropping my bag onto a bench, I stretched my arms and let out a soft sigh. I closed my eyes for a moment, letting the distant sounds of campus fade.

When I opened them again, I almost jumped.

Someone was sitting a few steps away.

He leaned on the wooden railing, holding two cups of coffee. That same white polo. Slightly messy hair, like he’d been working on something.

For a moment, I forgot how to breathe.

He looked up and saw me.

“You dozed off,” he said in that calm voice I knew too well.

My mind scrambled. “I usually come here when I’m tired,” I said, my voice smaller than I expected.

He nodded once, then stood and walked toward me. He held out one of the cups.

“Here. You look sleepy.”

I stared at it… then at him. My chest tightened.

Lynn gave him coffee earlier.

Is this the same one?

Probably not. It would’ve been cold by now.

“No, thanks,” I said quickly.

He raised an eyebrow. “It’s just coffee.”

“I’ll hyperventilate.”

A stupid lie. Obviously.

He studied me for a second, trying to figure me out. “You sure?”

“Yes.” My voice came out sharper than I intended.

He didn’t push. He set the cup on the bench beside me and sat down a short distance away.

My fingers curled against the wood. I hated how easily he could still affect me.

He took a slow sip from his own cup.

“You always look like you’re trying to run away from me,” he said quietly.

I glanced at him. “We’re not friends.”

“Yeah?” His tone wasn’t offended. Just curious.

“You shouldn’t be here,” I muttered. “This is my spot.”

A small smile tugged at his lips. “Then maybe we can share.”

I exhaled slowly, trying to steady myself. “I don’t share,” I muttered.

He didn’t move away. He didn’t argue. He just stared ahead at the plants swaying softly in the breeze, like he had all the time in the world to wait for me to calm down.

My head leaned back against the bench. The shade made everything feel peaceful, like any moment I could fall asleep. But he was only a few feet away, and that alone kept me awake.

“Why are you here?” I asked quietly.

He tapped his cup lightly. “Wanted fresh air. Needed to think.”

“You have an entire campus for that.”

“And yet I came here,” he said, glancing at me. “Funny, right?”

My stomach tightened. I didn’t want to think about what that meant. I didn’t want to guess.

“You know this is our department’s garden, right?” I said. “People come here to reflect. Or cry. Or hide from life.”

“Which one are you doing today?” he asked.

I stiffened. He always did this — pushed just enough to make my heart stumble.

“I’m resting.”

“Resting,” he repeated, like he wasn’t convinced. “Or running?”

I glared at him, but he wasn’t smirking. He looked… tired. A different kind of tired. A kind I recognized in myself.

“What do you want—”

I didn’t finish.

He had leaned back… and fallen asleep.

His head tilted slightly, eyes closed, chest rising and falling in slow, even breaths.

I couldn’t look away.

He was… gorgeous.

Not just the handsome kind. The kind that made hearts betray reason. Even mine.

A bitter smile tugged at my lips as I closed my eyes, letting my heartbeat slow for just a second.

Last year, I roamed this university countless times without ever noticing him — even though I knew from day one that he studied here.

I had gone out of my way to ignore him. Avoiding sports fest. Avoiding hallways. Avoiding anything that might remind me of him.

Pretending he didn’t exist was the only way I survived.

But now… destiny was playing with me. Because he was here. In my safe place. Sitting close enough that I could hear the rhythm of his breathing.

My phone suddenly rang, making me jerk. I opened my eyes again.

He was still asleep.

I swallowed and answered when Lynn’s name flashed across the screen.

“Where are you at?”

I glanced at him, still leaning against the railing like he belonged there.

“I… I’m at the library,” I said, lying before I could stop myself.

There was a small pause.

“I just wanted to rest for a bit. I’ll go to class later…”

“Okay,” she said softly before ending the call.

I released a slow breath, finally letting my shoulders relax. Just for today… I would let myself breathe. Let myself be here. Let myself feel whatever this was.

Before the bell rang, I stood up reluctantly. I considered waking Maverick, but he looked exhausted, and I couldn’t bring myself to disturb him.

I left quietly.

When I reached the corridor near our classroom, Lynn was already waiting. She leaned against the lockers, arms crossed, a slight crease between her brows. But the moment she saw me, she flashed a bright grin.

“There you are,” she said lightly. “Where did you go? I passed by the library earlier… you weren’t there.”

I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, trying to look casual.

“Hmm… maybe we didn’t pass at the same time. I bought chocolate from the canteen. Maybe that’s when you went by.”

Wow, Tali. Smooth.

Lynn’s lips pressed into a thin line.

“Uh-huh,” she said slowly. “You’re full of surprises, Thaira.”

I returned her smile. “Just trying to survive the day.”

She nodded and started walking ahead. I hurried to walk beside her, my thoughts drifting back to the garden.

Without meaning to, I smiled.