Eva's phone rang, its sharp tone cutting through the early morning silence. She reached out groggily, fumbling for the device on her bedside table, eyes still closed. Finally finding it, she pressed it to her ear, mumbling a barely coherent greeting.
"Hello?"
"Eva, it's Zack," came the familiar voice on the other end. Zack was her chemistry lab partner—a good-looking, charming guy with light brown hair. Half the girls in college were infatuated with him, though he was not particularly talkative. His call was unexpected, especially at this hour.
"Zack?" Eva rubbed her eyes, sitting up in bed. "What's up?"
"Just a reminder about our chemistry project. We need to finish it today."
Eva sighed, running a hand through her knee-length hair. "Right. Thanks for the reminder. I'll be there soon."
She hung up and stretched, her body protesting the movement after a short night of sleep. After a quick shower, she brushed her hair, dressed up, and grabbed her bag. Before leaving, she glanced out the window of her room at the orphanage, waiting for the mysterious boy who always passed by.
Every morning, she saw him. He was always masked, his face hidden, yet something about him intrigued her. He was tall, with a strong build, and his eyes—those she could see—were a deep, captivating blue. She didn't know his name or where he went every day, but she looked forward to those brief moments when she caught a glimpse of him.
Today was no different. As she waited, she saw him approaching, his stride confident and purposeful. He never looked up, never acknowledged her presence, but she felt a strange connection to him. As he passed, she took a deep breath and headed towards the library, her mind lingering on the mysterious boy.
When she arrived, Zack was already there, setting up their workspace. He greeted her with a smile, his usually reserved demeanor softening. They worked diligently, their minds focused on the complex chemical reactions they needed to document. Within an hour, they had finished their project, their efficiency a testament to their combined intelligence.
Feeling exhausted, Eva slumped into a chair, her eyes heavy. Zack watched her, concern etched on his face. Despite his feelings for her, he hadn't yet found the courage to express them. As Eva drifted off to sleep, Zack couldn't help but admire her. She was beautiful, with white skin, hazel eyes, and a thin waist. A scar on her face, right next to her left ear, only added to her unique charm.
As she slept, Zack sat beside her, his eyes filled with tenderness. He leaned over and kissed her forehead gently, then settled back, watching over her as she slept.
In her dream, Eva found herself in a fancy restaurant with the masked boy. Candles flickered softly on the table, casting a warm, intimate glow over the elegantly decorated space. The soft hum of a piano played in the background, setting the perfect mood for the evening. At a secluded corner table, Eva and the masked boy sat across from each other, their eyes locked in a gaze that spoke volumes.
Eva looked stunning in a deep emerald dress that accentuated her eyes, while the masked boy was dashing in a tailored black suit. The waiter had just poured them each a glass of fine red wine, and they raised their glasses in a silent toast.
"To us," the masked boy murmured, his voice low and filled with emotion.
"To us," Eva echoed, her smile lighting up her face as their glasses clinked gently.
They each took a sip, savoring the rich, velvety taste of the wine. The masked boy reached across the table, taking Eva's hand in his. His thumb brushed over her knuckles, sending a shiver of excitement up her spine.
"You look absolutely breathtaking tonight," he said, his eyes never leaving hers.
Eva blushed, her heart fluttering at his words. "You don't look too bad yourself," she teased, her voice soft with affection.
A waiter approached their table with their first course, setting down plates of beautifully arranged appetizers. They thanked him and turned their attention back to each other.
The masked boy leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a whisper. "I've been thinking about this night all week. Just being here with you… it's perfect."
Eva's eyes softened. "Me too. I feel like we're in our own little world right now."
They began to eat, sharing bites of food and stories about their day. The conversation flowed easily, filled with laughter and stolen glances. Each touch of their hands, each shared look, deepened the connection between them.
As the main course arrived, the masked boy reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a small velvet box. Eva's breath caught in her throat as he opened it to reveal a delicate necklace with a heart-shaped pendant.
"It's beautiful," she whispered, her eyes shining with tears.
"I wanted you to have something to remind you of tonight," he said softly. "A symbol of my love for you."
He stood and moved behind her, gently fastening the necklace around her neck. As he did, he leaned down to whisper in her ear, "I love you, Eva."
Her heart swelled with emotion, and she turned to look up at him. "I love you too," she replied, her voice trembling with happiness.
As they lost themselves in each other's presence, knowing they had found something truly magical, a loud sound shattered the dream.