Chapter 6: Denial in the Midst of Closeness

The days after the rooftop incident passed in a blur of classes, assignments, and stolen glances neither Kol nor Sara dared to hold too long. They moved around each other like planets caught in an awkward orbit, close enough to feel the pull, but convinced there was no gravity between them.

Kol sat in the back of the lecture hall, tapping his pen absentmindedly against the desk as Professor Rao droned on about market theories. His mind wasn't on economics. Instead, his thoughts tangled around Sara's laugh from last night, how it made his chest tighten in ways he refused to analyze. He scolded himself silently — It's just a laugh. Stop.

On the other side of the room, Sara twirled a strand of her hair, her gaze fixed somewhere beyond the window. She caught Kol's eye for a brief second. She quickly looked away, biting her lip to keep herself from smiling. It's nothing, she told herself. Just friendship. Nothing more.

At lunch, the usual group gathered in the cafeteria — Kol, Sara, Lina, and Aarav — but the air was thicker than usual. Lina teased with her usual sharp grin, dropping hints about "the chemistry no one can deny," while Aarav rolled his eyes but threw knowing looks toward Kol.

"Seriously," Lina said, nudging Sara, "You two are like a rom-com waiting to happen. Just admit it — you're both terrified to say it out loud."

Sara flushed, quickly looking down at her tray. "Stop it, Lina. We're just friends."

Kol laughed nervously, adding, "Yeah, what she said."

But neither of them could deny how often they caught themselves replaying the rooftop moment, how every accidental brush of fingers sent sparks up their arms, how the silence between them held more meaning than any conversation.

Later that evening, Kol found himself sketching under the same old oak tree. His pencil strokes were rough, unfocused, but his mind sketched Sara's profile over and over. He shook his head. You're imagining things. She's just a friend.

Just then, Sara appeared beside him, surprising him out of his thoughts.

"You're late for Economics," she teased, her voice soft.

Kol shrugged. "I'm not exactly into lectures right now."

They sat in comfortable silence. Sara's hand accidentally touched Kol's as they both reached for a book. Neither pulled away immediately. When Kol finally looked over, Sara's cheeks were tinged pink.

"Nothing," she said quickly.

"Yeah," Kol agreed, heart thudding. Nothing.

They shared a glance that lingered a second too long before both looking away.

Neither would admit what they both already knew — but in their quiet way, they were speaking volumes.

After their quiet moment by the oak tree, Sara and Kol returned to campus, blending back into the bustling crowd but never fully escaping the magnetic pull between them. Both wore invisible masks of casual indifference — but inside, the storm raged.

Meanwhile, Lina and Aarav were carving out their own path, a different kind of tension altogether — one tinged with hopeful excitement and awkward confessions.

---

Lina caught Aarav's eye across the cafeteria. He was halfway through a story about a disastrous attempt at cooking ("Dude, who knew a smoke alarm could be so loud?") and she laughed, the sound bright and genuine.

Lina felt a strange warmth in her chest — something soft and fluttering, unlike the usual teasing and banter she shared with everyone.

She was starting to care.

Walking over, she grabbed a seat beside him.

"So, what's the plan for tonight?" she asked, trying to sound casual.

Aarav grinned, his eyes sparkling with something more than just friendship. "Was thinking maybe we hit that new music lounge downtown. You in?"

Lina's heart skipped. "Yeah. Sounds... fun."

She caught herself smiling like a fool.

---

He noticed how Lina's eyes lit up when he mentioned the music lounge — a little shy, a little hopeful. It made his chest tighten in a good way, the kind that made him want to protect her and impress her at the same time.

Aarav wasn't the best at words, but he was good at showing up.

He planned to make tonight count.

The next few days were a dance of near-misses and accidental touches. They bumped into each other at the library, their hands brushing over the same book. Kol's heart raced, but he forced a grin and stepped back.

Sara caught his smile but looked away quickly.

Their friends noticed.

Lina nudged Sara, whispering, "You know, denial is a funny thing. It's loudest when the truth is closest."

Sara rolled her eyes but didn't deny it.

---

Evening — Lina and Aarav

Under neon lights and the hum of music, Lina and Aarav found themselves sitting close in a dim corner of the lounge.

"Glad you came," Aarav said, voice low.

"Me too," Lina whispered, her gaze dropping.

A moment stretched between them, charged and delicate.

Then Aarav reached out, brushing a stray hair from her face.

Lina's breath hitched.

"I... like this," he admitted.

Lina smiled softly, heart pounding. "Me too."

---

Meanwhile, Kol and Sara, miles away, sat separately on their dorm beds, their minds tangled with thoughts they refused to name.

Neither would say it aloud, but both felt the undeniable pull growing stronger.

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