---
I wasn't sure when I started noticing it — the way Rav's eyes lingered a little longer than normal, not with intensity, not with expectation… just quiet awareness. A softness.
He never hovered. Never pushed. Never tried to pull me into anything.
He simply existed near me in this calm, steady way that didn't make my heart panic — only breathe.
Sometimes he'd walk past and give me that tiny smile of his, the kind that held warmth without any claim. And every time, it made something in my chest loosen.
And in the middle of the messiness of my feelings, comfort was something I didn't know I needed.
---
Lily's birthday came like a burst of color in the middle of the week. Her boyfriend had been acting suspiciously sweet for days — whispering into his phone, sneaking away, giving me "Don't you dare spoil it" looks.
When the surprise finally happened, it was perfect.
He decorated a small rooftop space behind the dorms with fairy lights, balloons, and a playlist of all her favorite songs. Lily walked in confused, then froze, her eyes widening as everyone shouted, "Happy birthday!"
She started crying — the happy kind — and I couldn't stop smiling.
She'd been glowing these days, genuinely happy, like she was finally living in the romance she'd always dreamed about.
Seeing her like that made me feel warm in a way I couldn't explain.
Sometimes happiness is contagious.
Sometimes seeing someone else's joy makes your own heart ache — but in a sweet, hopeful way.
---
The next day, life went back to being a little more chaotic.
I had a problem with my files for one of my assignments — my laptop refused to open them no matter how many times I clicked. After almost spiraling in frustration, I closed the laptop, grabbed my bag, and hurried to the faculty building in hopes someone could help.
That was where I ran into Denzel and Sarah.
They were standing outside one of the classrooms, quietly going through a set of notes together. Sarah noticed me first and smiled brightly; Denzel's eyes lifted a second later, warm and steady as always.
"You look stressed," Sarah said, half-laughing.
"That obvious?" I exhaled.
"Only a little," Denzel replied, the corner of his mouth shifting upward. "What happened?"
"My file won't open and I'm two seconds away from giving up on this assignment entirely."
He didn't tease. Just nodded thoughtfully.
"Bring it tomorrow. I'll check it for you. It might be a formatting thing."
"Really?" I blinked.
"Yeah," he said simply. "It's not a big deal."
Sarah nudged him. "He likes fixing people's problems. It makes him feel useful."
He gave her a look. She grinned. I laughed.
Natural. Warm. Like being around them made the world soften a little.
---
But even with laughter, with friends, with things working out piece by piece… there was still a quiet ache I couldn't deny.
The silent yearning.
Not for Kade.
Not anymore.
But for love — real love.
Something steady, something honest. Something that didn't break me quietly in the background.
Sometimes it hit me late at night, slipping into my chest when the dorm was silent.
Sometimes it showed up when I saw a random couple laughing.
Sometimes it came when I caught Rav's soft gaze or when I heard Denzel's quiet understanding in his tone.
I didn't want to rush anything.
I didn't want to jump into anyone's arms for comfort.
But I wanted… something.
To be seen.
To be chosen.
To be loved without fear.
I wasn't desperate.
Just hopeful — in a slow, quiet way.