JULIETTE

When I walked into the lecture hall, I wasn’t expecting much. It was just another day, another class, another cup of coffee, barely keeping me awake. But the moment my eyes landed on the podium, I froze.

Adrian.

He stood there, leaning against the desk at the front of the room, his sharp suit somehow both intimidating and effortless. Adrian wasn’t just here. He wasn’t just another student. He was the professor. My breath caught in my throat, and I swore the world tilted beneath me. My pulse thundered in my ears as I stood rooted to the spot, unable to move, unable to think.

“This couldn’t be real,” I thought, my fingers tightening around the strap of my bag. Adrian, my coffee-shop flirt—that smooth-talking, magnetic man—was teaching the class?

My heart raced, and a wave of panic surged through me. Did he know? Was it just a cruel coincidence, or did he already know when he sat with me at the cafe?

I forced myself to move, stumbling toward an empty seat in the middle of the room. My cheeks burned as I kept my eyes on the floor, avoiding his gaze like it was on fire. Sliding into the chair, I barely heard the chatter of students around me over the rush of blood in my ears.

When I dared to look up, I felt it—his gaze. Adrian’s gaze met mine; I felt a shock, as if the earth shifted. His expression was unreadable, his lips set in a neutral line, but the weight of his stare felt like it carried a thousand unspoken words. Did his surprise match mine? Or had he known all along?

I swallowed hard and turned my focus to my notebook, but my hands were shaking. I felt the urge to flee. It was overly intricate and hazardous. I avoided contemplating potential repercussions. But another part of me, one I didn’t understand, wanted to stay. Despite the panic swirling in my chest, there was a pull I couldn’t shake, an ache that had nothing to do with logic or reason.

It was just one conversation; I told myself, flipping through the blank pages of my notebook. He flirts with everyone. There’s no way he feels anything for me.

His smile, the warmth in his voice, and the lingering gaze of his eyes made it impossible for me to believe my own lies. When Adrian began the lecture, his voice was calm and measured, composed. I tried not to notice how his gaze swept over the room, lingering for only a fraction of a second longer when it passed over me.

“Juliette Carter?” 

The sound of my name startled me, and I snapped my head up as his eyes locked on mine again. His tone was professional, but I swore there was something beneath it—something only I could hear.

“Here.” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. My cheeks burned as I dropped my gaze, feeling the weight of his attention even after he moved on to the next name.

The rest of the lecture passed in a blur. I didn’t hear half of what he said, too consumed by analyzing every glance, every gesture, every inflection in his voice. Did he falter when he said my name? Did he look at me differently than the others? Or was I imagining it all?

When class ended, I felt like I could breathe again. Torn between flight and lingering hope, I packed my belongings. I glanced toward him, my heart pounding as I saw him still standing by the podium, speaking with a student. He didn’t look at me, didn’t acknowledge me, but somehow, I still felt his presence, like a shadow I couldn’t escape.

As I slung my bag over my shoulder and made my way to the door, I stole one last glance over my shoulder. Adrian’s eyes met mine for the briefest of moments, and a small, unreadable smile tugged at his lips. It left me more confused than ever.

The library offered refuge; books provided escape. Today, though, no matter how many times I read the same paragraph, the words wouldn’t sink in. My mind kept drifting back to him—to Adrian. His voice during class, smooth and commanding, played on a loop in my head. The memory of the fleeting moments when our eyes met sent an unwelcome shiver down my spine. I shook my head and sat back in my chair, glaring at the open book in front of me.

“This is ridiculous,” I muttered under my breath, shutting the textbook with more force than necessary. I gathered my things, deciding that wandering the aisles might help clear my head.

The soft hum of the library surrounded me as I weaved between the towering shelves. Dust motes floated in the streams of sunlight filtering through the tall windows. My fingers trailed along the spines of books as I searched, the quiet comfort of the space soothing my racing thoughts. But then, as I rounded the corner of a shelf, I slammed straight into someone.

“Oh my god, I’m so sorry!” I gasped, my books and notes spilling to the ground in an embarrassing heap.

I dropped to my knees to gather the mess, cheeks already flushing.

“Hello, Juliette.”

The voice stopped me cold. Deep and smooth, it was impossible to mistake.

I froze, my heart stuttering in my chest, before I forced myself to look up. Adrian crouched in front of me, already reaching for my fallen notes. His dark eyes, calm and unreadable, locked onto mine, and for a moment, I forgot how to breathe.

“Hi.” I managed, my voice barely above a whisper.

The faintest smile played on his lips as he handed me a stray notebook. “Didn’t expect to see you here.” He spoke so casually, like it was normal to run into your professor in the most awkward of circumstances.

I swallowed hard, willing my pulse to slow. “It’s a pleasant spot to study,” I said, my voice barely steady.

“How’s your first week going?” he asked, his tone light and conversational, but the weight of his gaze sent a spark of unease through me.

“It’s… fine,” I stammered, clutching a pile of notes to my chest like a shield. “Just trying to keep up with everything.”

I debated for a split second whether to mention the coffee shop, but the composed look on his face made me falter. Did he remember? Did I misinterpret this?

“Good,” Adrian said, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “I’d hate to think my class is already overwhelming you.”

Something in his tone—something warm yet teasing—sent a flush creeping up my neck.

“No, not yet,” I said, my laugh nervous and airy. “It’s just… a lot to adjust to.”

I reached for the last book, and his hand brushed against mine. The contact was brief, but enough to make my breath catch. I pulled my hand back, clutching the book like it might anchor me. Adrian straightened, and I followed suit, hoping the height difference would make me feel less exposed. It didn’t.

“If you ever need help,” he said, leaning against the bookshelf with a posture so casual it felt deliberate, “I hope you feel comfortable coming to me. I like to keep things… approachable.”

Approachable. The word lingered in the air between us, heavier than it should have been, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that there was a double meaning I wasn’t supposed to catch.

I nodded, my face burning. “Thanks,” I said, my voice tight. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

I tried to step around him, but he didn’t move, his eyes lingering on me for one second too long. When I made it back to my table, my hands trembled. I sank into the chair and stared at my open textbook. The room felt smaller, the walls closer, and his voice echoed in my mind. What had just happened?

The sun filtered through the towering oaks in the campus quad, dappling the grass with patches of gold. Students milled about in groups, some sprawled lazily on blankets, others perched on benches or leaning against trees. Laughter and snippets of conversation drifted through the air, mingling with the faint hum of distant traffic.  

I sat rigidly on the edge of a weathered bench, my coffee clutched between trembling hands. The comforting warmth seeped into my fingers, but it wasn’t enough to quiet the turmoil inside me. Across from me, Maya lay on her stomach in the grass, her notebook propped open as she scribbled notes. She was the picture of serenity, her soft curls catching the sunlight, her lips curved in a relaxed smile.  

“Jules, you’re looking a little… off. What’s going on?” Maya’s voice was gentle but probing as she glanced up from her notebook. Her dark eyes sparkled with concern, the kind that made me feel like she could see right through me.  

I forced a laugh, the sound brittle and unnatural. “Nothing, just… first-week jitters. So many assignments already.”  

Maya tilted her head, her pen hovering in midair. She didn’t look convinced, but before she could press further, Layla spoke up.  

“You seem extra distracted today, Jules,” Layla drawled, not even bothering to look up from her phone. She sat cross-legged in the grass, her sleek hair spilling over one shoulder as she scrolled lazily. “Maybe you’ve got some things on your mind?”  

Her voice was light, almost sing-song, but there was an edge to it, a subtle sharpness that set my nerves on edge. I glanced at her, catching the faint smirk playing on her lips, but I glanced away.  

“I’m fine,” I said quickly, too quickly. My hands tightened around the coffee cup, the lid creaking faintly under the pressure. “Just overthinking. I’m fine, really.”  

The words felt hollow, even to me.  

Beside me, Ryan shifted slightly on the bench, his broad shoulders brushing mine. He leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees, as he turned to face me. His dark brown eyes were soft, his expression carefully measured.  

“You sure?” he asked quietly, his voice low enough that only I could hear. “You’ve been kind of distant lately.”  

I hesitated, the weight of his gaze pressing down on me. Ryan had always been the steady one in our group, the one who noticed the little things, who asked the questions no one else dared to. I wanted to tell him, to confide in someone about the impossible situation I’d found myself in, but the words wouldn’t come.  

“I’m just not used to the workload this semester, I guess,” I mumbled, dropping my gaze to the coffee in my lap. “I’m sure it’ll pass.”  

Ryan didn’t push, but his brow furrowed slightly as he leaned back, giving me space.  

Layla let out a soft snort, her fingers still flying across her phone screen. “Sure,” she said, her tone dripping with feigned casualness. “But if it were me, I’d be worrying about something a little more… personal.”  

My head snapped up, my heart skipping a beat at the pointed edge in her voice. Her smirk deepened, her eyes glinting with something I couldn’t quite place. It felt like a challenge, but I didn’t understand why.  

Maya shot her a sharp look, her normally soft features hardening. “Layla,” she said warningly, her tone cutting through the tension. Then she turned back to me, her expression softening once more.  

“Hey, Jules,” she whispered. “You don’t have to pretend like everything’s fine if it’s not. If you need a break, we can totally do something fun this weekend, just the three of us. No stress.”  

Her kindness made my throat tighten, a wave of guilt crashing over me. I nodded quickly, unable to meet her eyes. “Yeah. I’ll be fine. Just… new semester nerves.”  

Ryan nudged me lightly with his elbow, a playful grin tugging at his lips. “Okay, okay, but seriously,” he said, his voice warm and teasing. “We’re dragging you out this weekend. You deserve some fun. A little stress relief hurt no one.”  

His words were harmless, but they twisted something inside me. My mind drifted, unbidden, back to Adrian. His voice, low and steady, as he lectured the class. The way his eyes had lingered on mine for a fraction too long. The faint curl of his lips when he’d handed me that book in the library.  

Layla leaned back against the tree behind her, her phone forgotten in her lap. Her lips curled into a strange, knowing smile that made my stomach twist. “Fun, huh?” she murmured, her tone almost sing-song. “I hope you have fun with that.”  

The words were casual, but they felt loaded, like a secret wrapped in layers of implication. I stared at her, trying to decipher her expression, but she gave nothing away.  

Maya clapped her hands together suddenly, breaking the heavy silence. “Alright, Jules, we’re gonna need a decision soon. What are we doing this weekend? No more avoiding it.”  

Her bright energy felt like a lifeline, but I could only muster a weak smile in return. The knot in my chest hadn’t loosened, and I knew it wouldn’t. Not as long as Adrian’s shadow loomed over everything.  

I forced myself to nod, to focus on Maya’s expectant face, but my thoughts were elsewhere. What would happen the next time I saw him? The next time he looked at me with that unreadable gaze?  

And would I be able to resist whatever pull he had over me?

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