The next day's surprise test wasn't actually that hard.
Ariana finished early and double-checked every answer.
Across the classroom, Lily gave her a tired look as if silently asking for help.
Ariana shook her head slightly, trying not to laugh.
After school, while waiting for the bus, Lily nudged her.
"You've been quieter these days."
"I'm always quiet."
"Not like this. You're thinking about something."
Ariana shrugged. "Exams."
Lily didn't look convinced.
At home, her father was watching the news.
"Top marks again?" he asked casually.
"Maybe."
He smiled. "Keep it up."
Upstairs, she lay on her bed scrolling absentmindedly before opening the app.
He was online.
But she didn't message first.
Two minutes passed.
Then—
UnknownUser: How was the test?
She rolled onto her stomach.
SilentStar15: Easy.
UnknownUser: You're smiling while typing.
Her heart skipped slightly.
SilentStar15: How would you know that?
UnknownUser: Because you only use short replies when you're confident.
She blinked.
He noticed typing styles too?
SilentStar15: You analyze too much.
UnknownUser: You overthink too much.
She frowned slightly.
He wasn't wrong.
SilentStar15: I don't overthink.
UnknownUser: You're doing it right now.
She almost blocked him out of irritation.
Almost.
Instead—
SilentStar15: Annoying.
Pause.
UnknownUser: Honest.
She couldn't help smiling.
It wasn't flirting.
It was something else.
Comfortable argument.
Later—
UnknownUser: Why do you hesitate before replying sometimes?
Her fingers slowed.
SilentStar15: Because words matter.
There was a longer pause this time.
UnknownUser: That's rare.
Her chest felt warm.
Not because it was romantic.
But because he didn't laugh at her seriousness.
He understood it.
And that felt new.