Thinking about her

Daniel had never been good at admitting when he cared.

He was better at teasing.

At brushing things off.

At pretending he wasn't paying attention.

But lately?

He couldn't stop thinking about Sophia.

Not just as Nathan's sister.

Not just as the girl who used to follow him around with shy eyes and a quiet smile.

But as Sophia.

The woman she had become.

The one who was now studying at the same university he passed every day.

The one who had stopped hiding behind hoodies and started walking with confidence.

And the one who still made his chest tighten every time she said his name.

He had started sending her messages.

Not texts.

Not emails.

But actual letters.

Handwritten notes tucked inside books he thought she'd like.

Packages with study guides he knew she'd need.

And even a small care package with coffee, a mug, and a sticky note that read:

"You better not burn it."

He knew she'd think it was just him being nice.

Being Daniel.

Being the guy who had always looked out for her.

But the truth?

It was more than that.

He just didn't know how to say it yet.

Sophia found the first letter in a book she borrowed from the campus library.

It was "Psychology of Emotion" — one of her required readings.

And tucked inside the back cover was a folded note.

She opened it slowly.

"Thought this would help. And I know you. You'll forget to eat during finals week. So I added a snack bar. Don't say I never gave you anything."

She stared at the handwriting.

Her heart did that stupid, familiar flip.

She had not imagined this.

Daniel had been sending her things.

Books.

Snacks.

Study guides.

And she had missed every single one — because she had stopped checking for signs.

Because she had stopped believing he'd ever see her.

And now?

Now she wasn't sure what to think.

That night, she called Lena.

It rang twice before Lena answered.

"Okay, I'm assuming this is important because you never call unless something life-changing is happening."

Sophia took a deep breath. "He's been sending me stuff."

There was silence.

Then:

"Daniel?!"

Sophia nodded, even though Lena couldn't see her. "Books. Notes. Study guides. I didn't notice before. I just thought it was random."

Lena's voice was stunned. "Wait… he's been trying to stay in your life?"

Sophia bit her lip. "Maybe."

Lena groaned. "Oh my god. He's been trying to tell you something all along."

Sophia's heart pounded.

She whispered, "Do you think he finally sees me?"

Lena sighed. "I think you should find out."

The next time they met, it wasn't at a café.

It was at the university library.

He texted her:

"Free for lunch? I have a break. Thought we could grab something."

She had stared at the message for a full five minutes before replying.

"Sure."

She had almost typed "I'll wear something nice" — then deleted it.

Then typed "I'll be there" — and sent it.

Because she wasn't a child anymore.

She was a psychology student.

A woman.

And if Daniel was finally paying attention?

She was ready to let him see.

They met outside the library steps — Sophia in a soft sweater and jeans, Daniel in a collared shirt and a leather jacket that still made her stomach do somersaults.

"You made it," he said, smiling.

She smirked. "You were the one who asked."

He walked beside her toward the campus café, hands in his pockets.

Then he said, "You've been doing well in your classes."

She blinked. "How do you know that?"

He hesitated. "I asked Nathan."

She gave him a long look. "You're not subtle."

"I'm not trying to be," he said simply.

They sat down, ordering coffee and sandwiches.

Then he said, "There's a study group I know about. Smart people. Great food. And the leader's kind of a genius."

She raised an eyebrow. "You're trying to get me into a study group?"

"I'm trying to get you to excel," he corrected. "You deserve that."

She stared at him.

He met her gaze — steady and real.

And for once, she didn't look away.

Because she was starting to think…

Maybe Lena was right.

Maybe he hadn't stopped caring.

Maybe he had just been waiting for the right moment to show her.

After lunch, they walked back toward campus.

The sun was lower in the sky now — casting golden light across the trees.

"You know," Daniel said after a while, "I wasn't sure you'd take me seriously."

She frowned. "Take you seriously?"

"If I tried to be more than just your brother's friend."

She stopped walking.

He turned to face her.

She studied him — really studied him — and whispered, "Have you changed your mind?"

He didn't answer right away.

Instead, he said, "I think I finally figured out what I've been missing."

Her heart skipped.

She looked away.

Then said, "I should probably call my parents."

Daniel raised an eyebrow. "You just left them."

"I know," she admitted. "But I haven't told them everything yet."

He tilted his head. "What haven't you told them?"

She hesitated.

Then said, "That I still love you."

The words came out soft.

Not desperate.

Not dramatic.

Just honest.

Daniel froze.

She looked at him — steady and unafraid.

And added, "I don't know if that's ever going to change."

He swallowed hard.

"I think I've known for a while," he admitted. "I just didn't know what to do about it."

She smiled faintly. "So what are you going to do about it now?"

He didn't answer.

Not yet.

But he didn't walk away either.

Later that night, she called her parents.

Her mom answered with her usual warmth.

"Sophia! How's everything?"

Sophia smiled. "Good. I just wanted to check in."

Her mom sighed. "You're so busy now. I barely see you."

"You saw me two weeks ago," Sophia reminded her.

"I know," her mom said. "But I miss you already."

Sophia laughed. "I miss you too."

There was a pause.

Then her mom said, "Did you talk to Daniel yet?"

Sophia blinked. "Huh?"

Her mom chuckled. "Nathan mentioned he's been asking about you."

Sophia's heart skipped.

She whispered, "He has?"

"He said he wants to make sure you're doing well in school," her mom said gently. "And that he's proud of you."

Sophia didn't know what to say.

Because pride wasn't what she wanted.

She wanted to be seen.

Wanted to be chosen.

Wanted to be loved.

And maybe — just maybe — he was finally trying.

She called Nathan next.

He answered on the third ring.

"Hey, Soph. What's up?"

She hesitated. "Did you know Daniel had been sending me things?"

There was silence.

Then Nathan said, "Yeah. He asked me about your schedule. Said he wanted to help."

She swallowed. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"You looked like you were finally moving on," Nathan said gently. "I didn't want to mess with that."

She smiled faintly. "I don't think I ever did."

Nathan sighed. "Then maybe it's time he figures that out."