The next morning, the sun peeked through the blinds in Liam's dorm room, casting a soft glow on the scattered textbooks and clothes on the floor. He stirred awake, the events of the previous night still fresh in his mind. Mei's words echoed in his thoughts, and the memory of holding her hand lingered like a pleasant dream.
He knew that something had shifted between them, something that couldn't be ignored. But with that realization came a new wave of uncertainty. What would this mean for their friendship? For their lives as students navigating the pressures of university?
Liam shook his head, trying to clear his mind. He needed to focus—there was an exam coming up, and he couldn't afford to let his emotions distract him. But no matter how hard he tried, his thoughts kept drifting back to Mei.
As he got ready for the day, his phone buzzed with a message. His heart skipped a beat when he saw it was from Mei: Good morning! Want to grab coffee before class?
A smile tugged at the corners of his lips. Sure, he replied, feeling a mixture of excitement and nervousness.
They met at the small café near the library, a cozy spot where students often gathered before the rush of the day began. When Liam arrived, he saw Mei already seated by the window, her hands wrapped around a steaming cup of coffee. She looked up as he approached, and their eyes met, both of them smiling.
"Morning," she said softly.
"Morning," Liam replied, taking the seat across from her. The warmth of the café, combined with Mei's presence, made him feel at ease despite the tension brewing inside him.
They chatted about their classes and the upcoming exam, trying to keep the conversation light and casual. But the underlying current of their unspoken feelings was palpable, and both of them could sense it.
As they finished their coffee, Mei glanced at the clock on the wall. "We should probably get going," she said, but her voice lacked the usual enthusiasm. It was clear she had something else on her mind.
"Yeah," Liam agreed, though he felt the same reluctance to leave. "But… before we go, can I ask you something?"
Mei looked at him, her eyes searching his. "Of course."
Liam hesitated, gathering his thoughts. He wasn't sure how to phrase what he wanted to say, but he knew he needed to get it out. "Last night, when we talked… I couldn't stop thinking about it. About us. I just… I want to make sure we're on the same page."
Mei's expression softened, and she reached across the table, placing her hand over his. "Liam, I've been thinking about it too. I know this is new, and it's a little scary, but I meant what I said. I want to explore whatever this is between us. I think it's worth it."
Liam felt a weight lift off his shoulders at her words. "I feel the same way. I just didn't want to rush things or make you feel pressured."
"You're not," Mei assured him. "I think we both know this is something special. We don't have to figure it all out right now. Let's just take it one step at a time."
Liam nodded, relief washing over him. "One step at a time," he repeated, liking the sound of it.
They left the café together, walking side by side to their first class. As they walked, Liam couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment. The uncertainty was still there, but so was the excitement. They were embarking on something new and unknown, but they were doing it together.
Later that day, Liam found himself back at the library, this time with his nose buried in his textbooks. The exam was looming, and he knew he needed to focus. But every so often, his thoughts would drift back to Mei, and he would catch himself smiling.
As he studied, a familiar figure slid into the seat across from him. It was Mei, her expression warm and friendly as she pulled out her own books.
"Mind if I join you?" she asked, though she had already settled in.
"Not at all," Liam replied, feeling a sense of déjà vu. How many times had they studied together at this very table? But today felt different—there was a new layer to their connection, something unspoken yet undeniable.
They studied in companionable silence for a while, the only sounds being the rustle of pages and the occasional tapping of a pen. But despite the quiet, Liam could feel the bond between them growing stronger with each passing minute.
At one point, Mei looked up from her book and caught him staring at her. She raised an eyebrow, a playful smile tugging at her lips. "What?"
"Nothing," Liam said quickly, though his face betrayed him with a blush. "Just… thinking."
"About what?" she asked, her tone light, but her eyes curious.
Liam hesitated for a moment, then decided to be honest. "About how things are changing between us. But in a good way."
Mei's smile softened, and she reached across the table to give his hand a quick squeeze. "I feel the same way, Liam. And I'm glad we're on this journey together."
He squeezed her hand back, feeling a warmth spread through his chest. "Me too, Mei. Me too."
As they returned to their studies, Liam realized that, for the first time in a long while, he wasn't worried about what the future might hold. He was just happy to be in the moment, sharing it with Mei.
And that was enough.