Kara noticed it on Monday.
Actually—no. That was a lie.
She noticed it the second Adam walked into school and immediately dropped his entire body weight onto her like a human backpack.
"Oof—what the hell?" Kara staggered forward, barely keeping her balance as Adam's arms wrapped around her shoulders from behind, his chin resting comfortably on the top of her head.
"Morning," he mumbled.
"Adam," she snapped, prying at his arm. "Why are you attached to me."
He didn't move.
In fact, he leaned more.
Like a cat.
A very heavy, muscular, extremelyinconvenient cat.
"I'm tired," he said.
"You are always tired."
"Yeah, but today I'm tired emotionally."
"That is not my problem."
She tried stepping sideways. Adam followed.
She stepped forward. Adam followed.
She stopped abruptly. Adam bumped into her back.
"Dude," Kara said, turning around. "Why are you clinging to me like I owe you rent?"
Adam blinked down at her, unfazed. "You're warm."
Her eye twitched.
"Get. Off."
He grinned and—shockingly—did not.
By second period, it had escalated.
Kara sat at her desk, focused, pen moving quickly across her notebook. For exactly twelve seconds, life was peaceful.
Then something tugged on the sleeve of her hoodie.
She looked up.
Adam had excused himself from his class and arrived to Kara's like he belonged in her class.
"What," Kara said slowly, "are you doing."
"Listening," he replied, eyes half-closed.
"To what?"
"You."
"I'm not talking."
"You're thinking loud."
"I swear to God—"
The teacher cleared their throat.
"Adam. Why aren't you in your own class?"
Adam lifted his head lazily. "Uhm. Was just leaving miss."
Kara forced a smile. "Yup. He was just leaving."
The teacher stared at them for a long moment before sighing.
"Get out of my class Adam."
Adam nodded obediently.
He put a woeful look on his face as he left the classroom.
Kara sighed.
What the fuck is up with him. I mean I know he was sorta clingy, but last week at the meadow he's been praying around like my little fucking pony all over me.
Kara lifter her head gazing at the door where he had entered and left. A detective-like expression spread across her face.
Lunch was worse.
Adam sat next to her outside on a bench. Then closer. Then closer again.
At some point, his arm slipped around the back of her chair. Then his head leaned against hers. Then—somehow—she had become his personal armrest.
Kara stared straight ahead, jaw clenched.
People were staring.
"Oh my God," she muttered. "Why are you acting like this."
Adam shrugged, squeezing her slightly. "You didn't tell me to stop."
"I should not have to."
"Well," he said mildly, "communication is important."
She elbowed him in the ribs.
"Ow," he said, smiling.
That smile.
That stupid, soft, unbothered smile.
She glanced at him sideways. "Did something happen?"
He paused.
Just for a second.
Then he shrugged again. "Nah."
Liar.
After school, it finally clicked.
They were walking together as usual when Adam casually reached for her hand again—this time not even pretending it was an accident.
Kara stopped dead.
Adam stopped too, still holding her hand.
She slowly turned to face him.
"Okay," she said flatly. "What the hell is going on."
He blinked. "What do you mean?"
"You've been glued to me all week. You're touching me like I'm a stress ball. You hugged me three times. You came to my class during math. You tried to nap on my shoulder."
"That one was strategic," he said.
She dropped his hand. "Adam."
He looked down at her, expression suddenly softer. Less teasing. More… honest.
"I just feel better when you're close," he said simply.
Her brain short-circuited.
"…Excuse me?"
He scratched the back of his neck. "I don't know. I guess it was just something my mom and dad said."
"Well what did they say?"
Adam shrugged
"Dunno. But it made me realize that I wanna see you more often." He said with a smile as they continued walking.
Kara stared at him, heat creeping up her neck.
"So your solution," she said slowly, "was to become a clingy menace."
He smiled sheepishly. "Pretty much."
She groaned, dragging a hand down her face. "You're unbelievable."
"But," he added, stepping closer, "you didn't shove me off."
She opened her mouth.
Closed it.
"…That's not the point."
"Sure it is."
She rolled her eyes and turned toward the car. "You're lucky I tolerate you."
Adam followed easily, close again—too close.
"Yeah," he said, grinning. "So...wanna come over. I wish you could meet my parents but they will gone for a few hours," he said nudging her shoulder slightly. "So you can hang out with me till they come back."
"You want me to meet your parents?" Kara asked looking up at him.
"Yah why not."
Kara paused. This was new. She thought about how it would go. How akward I would be. But then she looked at Adam's handsome smile and gave in.
"Fine. Fine." She sighed, already regretting her answer.
"Yippee!" Adam said with glee.