1: UNWRITTEN
The library was quiet, save for the soft rustling of pages.
Alex had found his usual corner, the one where the light was just dim enough to make the books feel like they were whispering secrets.
He wasn't looking for anything specific, but the right book always seemed to find him here.
He'd discovered more about himself between these shelves than anywhere else.
Clara wasn't exactly like him.
She was always in motion, always ready to make a joke, or find the perfect book for someone else.
She'd met him here, after bumping into him in the philosophy section and nearly knocking over a stack of books.
That was how they'd started talking—an awkward introduction, like two people in parallel worlds, but somehow, they'd clicked.
Clara had a certain energy that Alex didn't know what to do with. He'd seen her flit between shelves, her laughter echoing through the aisles, as if she knew exactly how to fill a room.
She didn't stay in one place for too long, but she was magnetic. Alex caught himself watching her now, when he should've been reading.
She was talking to Hayley by the counter, looking effortlessly carefree while Hannah laughed at something she'd said.
Why can't I just be like that? Alex thought to himself.
Hannah caught his eye and grinned, staring as if she was trying to say, "Still trying to figure her out?"
Alex chuckled, just like that, but it wasn't really funny. He wasn't sure what to think of Clara anymore.
It was becoming harder to ignore how he felt when she was around.
Clara glanced over at him then, catching his eye for a brief moment before looking away. Why does she do that? Alex wondered.
It was like she could see right through him, and yet, she never asked him to explain himself. But then again, maybe she didn't want to know.
"Ready to head out?" Clara asked, walking over with Hannah in tow. She always had that warm, approachable smile, like she was offering an invitation to a world Alex wasn't sure he belonged in.
"Yeah," Alex said, packing his things into his bag, though his mind was elsewhere.
They left the library together, the late afternoon light casting long shadows on the pavement.
The campus was quieter than usual, the air cool and crisp, hinting at the change of season.
It was the kind of evening that felt like a transition, but Alex couldn't shake the feeling that something was shifting between him and Clara.
"So, how's your law stuff going?" Clara asked, breaking the silence as they walked side by side, with Hannah trailing behind.
"Same as usual.
Lots of boring lectures," Alex replied with a half-smile, but his eyes were still distant. He couldn't quite put his finger on why he felt uneasy.
Clara's pace slowed. "You seem… off. Everything okay?"
Alex hesitated, unsure of how to answer. He wasn't sure what he was feeling. "I don't know. Just thinking," he said, trying to brush it off, but his heart was beating faster than usual.
Clara stopped walking, turning to face him with a more serious expression. "You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to, but... you know I'm here, right?"
Alex swallowed. He hadn't realized how much he'd needed to hear that until now. But instead of responding, he just nodded and forced a smile. It wasn't much, but it was all he could give.
The silence lingered as they walked the rest of the way back to the dorms, both lost in their own thoughts. Clara reached the turning point where they usually went their separate ways.
She hesitated for a moment before offering a small, genuine smile.
"Take care of yourself, okay?" she said softly, before turning to leave with Hayley.
"Bye Alex", Hannah waved, before they disappeared.
Alex watched them walk away, his heart still racing. He was supposed to know what to feel by now, but instead, all he could think was, Do I like her?