Autumn looks genuinely surprised to see me.
Which is fair. I didn't plan this.
I'm not exactly the type of guy who waits outside classrooms like some lovesick idiot.
But after last night, concentrating on anything else felt impossible.
"You skipped class to say hello?" she asks.
"Yes."
"That is a terrible academic strategy."
"I've never been great with school."
She studies my face carefully.
"You look tired."
"So do you."
"That's because I stayed up thinking."
My eyebrows lift slightly.
"About?"
She hesitates.
Then she says quietly,
"Us."
The word lands harder than I expect.
Us.
I glance down the hallway to make sure no teachers are paying attention before stepping a little closer.
"You're overthinking," I say.
"I do that."
"I noticed."
Her eyes search my face.
"What are we doing, Luca?"
That's the real question.
Because the truth is—
I don't actually know.
But walking away from her doesn't feel like an option anymore.
So I answer honestly.
"We're trying not to mess this up."
Her expression softens slightly.
"That's not a very clear plan."
"No."
"But it's the best one I've got."
For a moment neither of us moves.
Then she says quietly,
"You're worth the risk."
And hearing that does something dangerous inside my chest. I feel my heart start to beat faster.
Because if she keeps saying things like that—
I might start believing her.