After the break, Luisa walked toward the cafeteria.
The place was busy with students talking, laughing, and eating. She picked up her lunch and found an empty table. Sitting down quietly, she began eating alone.
A few moments later, someone sat down beside her.
Luisa looked up in surprise.
It was Ben.
She hadn't expected him to sit with her.
For a moment she looked slightly startled, but then she greeted him.
Luisa:
"Hi."
Ben:
"Hey. How are you?"
Luisa:
"I'm good. How about you?"
Ben:
"I'm fine."
But something about his voice didn't sound convincing.
Luisa could tell.
Ben looked tired. His eyes seemed heavy, and there was a quiet sadness in his expression.
Luisa:
"That's good."
For a while, Ben ate silently. But he didn't look like he really wanted to eat. He kept pushing the food around his plate.
Luisa watched him for a moment before speaking.
Luisa:
"Are you really fine?"
Ben looked up at her, his tired eyes meeting hers.
Ben:
"Why are you asking me that?"
Luisa hesitated slightly.
Luisa:
"Because… you look very tired."
Ben lowered his gaze back to his food.
Ben:
"Yeah… just a little. University work."
Luisa nodded.
Luisa:
"You should get some rest. Don't push yourself too hard."
Ben looked at her quietly.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then Ben said softly,
Ben:
"I will. And… thank you for saying that."
Luisa shook her head slightly.
Luisa:
"Please don't thank me."
Ben smiled faintly.
Ben:
"Luisa… you're really a kind person."
Luisa didn't know what to say, so she remained quiet.
The two of them finished their lunch in a calm silence.
Later
After lunch, Luisa walked toward the library.
She slowly walked through the shelves, looking for a book she needed.
While reaching for one, she suddenly bumped into someone.
Luisa:
"Oh! I'm sorry—"
She stopped when she saw who it was.
It was David.
David smiled slightly.
David:
"It's okay, Miss Clumsy."
Luisa blinked in surprise before laughing a little.
Luisa:
"Oh my God, it's you! I'm really sorry."
David chuckled.
David:
"It's fine."
Luisa turned and continued looking for her book.
David quietly followed her.
Luisa pulled a book from the shelf.
Suddenly, she turned around and accidentally walked straight into David's chest.
Luisa:
"Ah!"
David quickly held her arms to steady her.
For a moment, they stood very close to each other.
Luisa slowly looked up.
Their eyes met.
She immediately felt shy and awkward.
Luisa:
"A-are you following me?"
David let go of her arms and stepped back.
He pretended to look innocent.
David:
"Nope. Not at all."
But a moment later, he followed her again.
Luisa noticed and became even more embarrassed.
She walked to a quiet corner table and sat down.
David sat down across from her.
Luisa opened her book and tried to focus on studying.
But her mind kept replaying what just happened.
That was so awkward…
Why do these things always happen when David is around?
She felt slightly embarrassed.
David, meanwhile, quietly glanced at her from time to time.
Luisa looked beautiful while studying.
Her half-tucked hair rested behind her ear, and her eyes were focused on the book in front of her.
She was concentrating on the pages.
But David was concentrating on her.
After a while, Luisa noticed his gaze.
She leaned slightly toward him and whispered,
Luisa:
"What are you doing?"
David looked up innocently.
David:
"Nothing. I'm just reading."
Luisa narrowed her eyes.
Luisa:
"Stop lying. You were staring at me."
David pretended to think for a moment.
David:
"Oh… actually, I was wondering what you were reading."
Luisa slowly lifted the book and covered half of her face with it, squinting her eyes at him.
Luisa:
"Is there something on my face?"
David nodded.
David:
"Yes."
Luisa's eyes widened.
Luisa:
"What? What is it? Is there really something?"
She quickly lowered the book, looking worried.
David leaned slightly forward and gently tapped the tip of her nose.
David:
"It's cuteness."
Luisa froze for a second.
Then she looked at him in disbelief.
Luisa:
"Ahh, David! You're so silly."
She couldn't help but smile softly.
David sat back in his chair, quietly watching her.