The last bell rang, and the classroom slowly emptied, chairs scraping softly against the floor as students rushed out, laughing and talking about anything but school. The light outside had changed—it was softer now, warmer, like the day itself was slowing down.
Viviana stayed seated for a moment, her fingers resting lightly on her phone. She could feel it again—that calm presence, familiar now, like a second heartbeat.
Luka.
He was already looking at her.
Not directly at first—just from the side, like he always did when he wasn't sure if she was already thinking about him too.
She was.
Her lips curved into a small smile.
Ioana suddenly dropped into the chair in front of them, spinning it around dramatically. "Okay," she said, leaning forward, resting her arms on the back of the chair. "Important question."
Viviana blinked.
"What kind of question?" Luka asked, raising an eyebrow.
Ioana grinned. "Do you guys want to go out?"
Viviana tilted her head slightly.
Ioana pointed toward the window, where the city stretched beyond the school yard. "Not like… crowded places. I know a spot. Quiet. You can see almost the whole city from there."
Viviana felt something warm flicker in her chest.
She quickly typed: Sounds nice.
Luka glanced at her, then back at Ioana. "I'm in."
Ioana clapped once, satisfied. "Perfect. Then it's decided."
The streets were quieter now as they walked, the noise of school fading behind them. The sky was painted in soft shades of orange and pink, and the air carried that calm feeling of late afternoon turning into evening.
Viviana walked between them at first.
But slowly, without even noticing when it happened…
Her hand found Luka's.
Just like before.
Not by accident.
Not this time.
Their fingers intertwined naturally, like it had always been that way.
Luka didn't look at her immediately, but his grip tightened just a little.
You're doing it again, he said softly in her mind.
Viviana looked down at their hands for a second, then back up.
I know.
A small pause.
I don't want to stop.
Something in Luka's chest shifted.
He didn't answer with words.
He just didn't let go.
Ioana walked slightly ahead of them, but not far enough to miss it. Her eyes flicked back once… then again.
She didn't say anything.
But she noticed.
The hill wasn't far, but it felt like a different world.
Grass moved gently in the wind, and the city below stretched endlessly—buildings, lights starting to flicker on, streets glowing faintly like lines of gold.
Ioana sat down first, dropping her bag beside her. "Told you," she said, smiling. "Best place."
Viviana stepped closer to the edge, her eyes widening slightly as she looked down.
It was beautiful.
The wind moved her hair softly, brushing it across her face.
Luka stepped beside her.
Close.
Not too close.
But enough.
It's nice, she thought.
"Yeah," he said quietly. "It is."
A pause.
I meant… being here.
Another pause.
With you.
Luka felt his heartbeat shift.
For a second, he didn't trust himself to speak.
So he didn't.
He just stood there, letting the moment stay exactly as it was.
They sat down after a while.
The grass was cool under their hands, and the sky slowly darkened above them.
For a few minutes, no one spoke.
It wasn't awkward.
It was peaceful.
Then Ioana suddenly turned toward Viviana, resting her chin on her hand. "Okay," she said casually. "I have another question."
Viviana looked at her.
Ioana's eyes sparkled slightly.
"When did you start liking him?"
Silence.
Luka froze.
Viviana blinked.
Once.
Twice.
Her heart skipped so suddenly it almost hurt.
She stared at Ioana, completely caught off guard.
Her fingers tightened slightly around her phone.
"What?" Luka said quickly, trying to sound normal—but there was a slight tension in his voice now.
Ioana shrugged like it was nothing. "What? It's obvious."
Viviana felt heat rush to her face.
Her cheeks turned pink.
Then red.
She looked down quickly, typing—then stopping—then deleting—then typing again.
Her thoughts were a mess.
When did it start…?
Her mind drifted.
Back.
To the hospital.
The white walls.
The quiet.
The moment she saw him.
Her fingers moved slowly now.
She turned the screen toward Ioana.
I think… the first time I saw him.
Ioana's smile softened.
Luka looked at the screen.
Then at her.
Something in his expression changed.
Just slightly.
"First time?" Ioana repeated softly.
Viviana nodded.
Her fingers trembled a little as she typed again.
At the hospital.
When my parents were talking to a doctor…
She paused.
Her throat tightened slightly.
Then she continued.
I saw him.
And I thought… he was beautiful.
Silence fell again.
But this time it was heavier.
Softer.
Real.
Luka's breath caught.
Just for a second.
Viviana didn't look at him.
She couldn't.
Her face was burning now.
Her heart was beating too fast.
Ioana smiled gently, not teasing anymore. "First sight," she murmured. "That's rare."
Viviana gave a small, shy nod.
Then quickly added, typing faster now:
I didn't understand anything then.
I was confused.
Scared.
But when I started talking to him… like this…
She hesitated.
Then finished.
Everything felt less scary.
Luka looked at her.
Really looked at her.
And for the first time, there was something different in his eyes.
Not just calm.
Not just warmth.
Something deeper.
Something that scared him a little.
Because it mattered.
A few meters away, someone stood partially hidden behind a tree.
Watching.
A notebook rested in his hand.
A pen moved slowly across the page.
Observing.
Recording.
Ethan Cole didn't interrupt.
He didn't move closer.
He just watched.
And wrote.
"Connection appears stronger than expected… emotional synchronization increasing."
His eyes lifted again, focusing on them.
Especially on Viviana.
Then Luka.
He closed the notebook quietly.
Back on the hill, Ioana leaned back on her hands, looking up at the sky. "You know," she said softly, "you two are really bad at hiding things."
Viviana covered her face slightly with her hand.
Luka exhaled quietly.
"Is it that obvious?" he asked.
Ioana turned her head toward them and smiled. "Only if you're paying attention."
A small pause.
Then she added, softer now, "Don't worry. I'm not saying anything."
Viviana looked at her.
Something changed in that look.
Trust.
Real trust.
She typed slowly.
I'm glad you came with us.
Ioana's expression softened.
"Me too," she said.
And for the first time, it didn't feel like she was just observing.
She was part of it.
The sky had turned darker now, the first stars barely visible.
The city lights below were brighter.
Closer.
Like they were glowing just for them.
Viviana leaned slightly closer to Luka.
Not fully.
Just enough for their shoulders to touch.
He didn't move away.
Are you okay? he asked softly in her mind.
She smiled faintly.
Yes.
A pause.
Then, quieter:
I think I really like you.
Luka's heart stopped for a second.
Then started again—faster.
He looked at her.
This time, she didn't look away.
Her cheeks were still red.
But her eyes were steady.
He didn't answer with words.
He just moved his hand slightly…
and intertwined their fingers again.
Tighter this time.
And that was enough.
From a distance, Ethan watched one last time.
Then turned away.
Silently.
Like he had never been there.
But the page in his notebook remained.
And whatever he had written…
wasn't finished.