A Small Shift in the Air

Elara walked out of the library feeling… different. She couldn't quite put a name to it, but something had shifted. Maybe it was the way Theo had spoken to her, or how their conversation had flowed so naturally.

Or maybe it was just the fact that, for once, she hadn't completely embarrassed herself.

Her phone buzzed again.

"Daily Challenge Unlocked: Initiate a casual meet-up."

Elara groaned. "This thing is relentless."

She shoved her phone into her pocket, pretending she hadn't seen the notification. There was no way she was casually suggesting a meet-up. That was too much, too fast. Besides, she had already pushed herself today. Didn't she deserve a break?

But as she walked toward the campus café, her mind kept replaying her conversation with Theo. The way his smile had faltered ever so slightly when he talked about feeling lonely. The way his voice had softened when he admitted to enjoying familiar faces around him.

Maybe… just maybe… he wouldn't mind if they ran into each other again.

The next morning, Elara arrived at the café earlier than usual, claiming a table near the window. She told herself she wasn't waiting for Theo. She just happened to be here. Drinking coffee. Like a normal person.

She pulled out her laptop and tried to focus, but her eyes kept drifting to the entrance every time the door opened. It wasn't until she had fully convinced herself that he wasn't coming that she heard a familiar voice.

"Elara?"

She looked up so fast she nearly knocked over her coffee.

Theo stood in front of her, a little surprised but smiling. "Didn't expect to see you here."

Elara scrambled for a response. "Oh, yeah. I come here sometimes. Good coffee." God, why am I like this?

Theo chuckled. "Mind if I join you?"

Her heart did an unnecessary little flip. "Sure."

He slid into the chair across from her, setting his coffee down. "What are you working on?"

Elara glanced at her screen. "Uh, totally not just staring at my notes while I zone out."

Theo laughed. "Sounds like peak student productivity."

They fell into easy conversation after that, talking about classes, professors, and the general struggles of university life. And for the first time, Elara didn't feel like she had to overthink every word.

Her phone vibrated in her pocket.

"Challenge Completed! +10 Confidence Points."

She ignored it again.

Because right now, she wasn't doing this for the app.

She was doing it for herself.