Chapter 2
I didn't know why I was nervous. It didn't make sense.i had sat beside girls before. Talked to them. Even flirted with some of them without thinking twice. But sitting beside her felt different… like I was suddenly aware of every movement I made.She kept writing in her notebook, I watched her from the corner of my eye, trying not to make it obvious.Her handwriting was neat,Small and Careful.
Everything about her felt careful.Like she was afraid of making mistakes.
I cleared my throat quietly and shifted in my seat. She noticed and Her eyes moved toward me for a brief second, then quickly back to her book.She was shy.I could tell,
And somehow… that made me want to talk to her even more.
"You're new, right?" I asked finally.
She paused and Her pen stopped moving.Then she nodded slowly. "Yes."Her voice was soft again, almost like she didn't want anyone else to hear."I figured," I said.
She looked at me this time. Fully.
Her eyes were darker than I thought. Calm, but guarded. Like she had built invisible walls around herself.
"I'm Dennis," I said.
She hesitated for a moment before answering."…Lena."
The name settled in my chest like it belonged there."Nice to meet you," I said.
She gave a small nod. "You too."
But it wasn't awkward. Not exactly. It felt… warm. Like we didn't need to say much.The lecturer began explaining something on the board, but I wasn't listening anymore. My attention kept drifting to her. The way she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. The way she leaned forward slightly when she didn't understand something.She suddenly stopped writing and frowned.
I leaned closer. "You okay?"
"I missed the last part," she whispered.Without thinking, I turned my notebook toward her.She blinked, surprised."You can copy," I said.
"Thank you," she replied softly.She leaned too closer.My heart started beating faster. I could feel the warmth of her arm near mine. I tried to stay calm, but every second felt louder inside my chest.She began copying quickly, her shoulder brushing mine slightly.It was a small touch.But it did something to me.
Something dangerous.I exhaled slowly.Get a grip.This is just a girl.
But she didn't feel like just a girl.
After class ended, students started leaving noisily. She closed her notebook carefully and stood up.
I stood too.
"Do you know where the library is?" she asked quietly.I nodded. "Yeah. I'm going there."That was a lie.
I wasn't planning to go anywhere.
But suddenly, I was."I can show you," I added.She looked relieved. "Thank you."
We walked side by side through the hallway. She kept her eyes forward, holding her bag tightly. I noticed how she avoided bumping into people, like she didn't want attention.
"You transferred?" I asked.
She nodded. "Yes.""From where?"
"…Another city."She didn't elaborate.
And I didn't push.We reached the library. It was quieter here. She relaxed a little, her shoulders dropping slightly."This place is big," she murmured."You'll get used to it."
She turned to me. "You've been here long?""yes three years."
Her eyes widened slightly. "Oh."
We walked between the shelves. She stopped near the literature section and started scanning the titles."You like reading?" I asked.
"Yes.""What kind?"
"Romance," she admitted softly.
I smiled. "Figures."
She looked at me, confused. "What?"
"You look like someone who believes in love."Her cheeks flushed faintly.
And that moment… that tiny blush… nearly destroyed me.She looked away quickly. "I should find a seat."
I nodded.We sat across from each other at a small table. She opened a book and started reading quietly. I pretended to scroll on my phone, but I kept watching her.Minutes passed.
Then she smiled.Not at me buy At the book.that smile hit me like lightning.It was small… gentle… real.
And I knew then — I was already in too deep.She suddenly looked up.
Our eyes met again.This time, neither of us looked away immediately.Something passed between us.Something quiet and Something new.Then her phone buzzed.She glanced at the screen… and her expression changed.
The softness disappeared.her fingers tightened around the phone.
"Is everything okay?" I asked.
She quickly stood up. "I… I have to go.""Now?"She nodded, avoiding my eyes. "Yes."She started packing her things hurriedly.
"Lena—""I'm sorry," she said, her voice slightly shaky. "I'll see you later."Then she turned and walked away too fast.I sat there, confused.
What just happened?
I watched her leave the library, her steps rushed almost like she was running from something.Something didn't feel right "I said to myself".I stood up.I don't know why.
But my instincts told me to follow her.
I stepped outside and saw her near the staircase. She was talking to someone.A tall older guy.He grabbed her wrist.My jaw tightened.She tried to pull away.He leaned closer and said something I couldn't hear.
She looked scared.Really scared.
My chest burned.I started walking toward them.That was when I heard her whisper —"Please… you promised you wouldn't come here."
The guy smirked."I came to take you back," he said.My steps froze.Take her back?Back to where? All these were running through my mind,
She shook her head desperately. "I'm not going."He tightened his grip.
"You don't have a choice."Something inside me snapped.I moved forward.
But before I reached them…He leaned closer and whispered something in her ear.Her face turned pale instantly.Then she looked straight at me.Our eyes locked And I saw real fear.She mouthed one silent word."Help."Then the guy started dragging her away.And I realized…
I had already fallen.But I might be too late.