The last rays of the afternoon sun filtered through the large oak trees surrounding the campus courtyard, casting long shadows across the grass. Mei stood near the fountain, her gaze distant as she stared at the water, lost in thought. She had always loved the serenity of this place, but today, her mind was anything but calm. Graduation was just around the corner, and the future, once something she had anticipated with excitement, now seemed uncertain.
Behind her, Max approached quietly, his hands tucked in his pockets. He had watched Mei from a distance, noticing the tension in her shoulders and the way she occasionally sighed, as if carrying a weight too heavy for words. He could sense that something was bothering her, but he knew Mei well enough to understand she wouldn't say anything unless he pressed her.
"Hey," he said softly, coming to stand beside her. His voice was gentle, like a breeze brushing against her skin.
Mei blinked, snapping out of her thoughts. She smiled, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Hey," she replied.
Max studied her for a moment, then reached out, taking her hand. "You've been quiet lately. What's going on in that beautiful head of yours?"
For a moment, Mei hesitated. She looked down at their hands, intertwined, and bit her lip. "I'm just… thinking about everything. About what comes next. Graduation, jobs, life… us."
Max's expression softened, and he gently tugged her hand, pulling her closer. "Mei, we've got this. We're a team, remember? No matter what happens, we'll figure it out together."
She looked up at him, her heart warming at his words, but the doubts still lingered. "I know," she whispered, "but it feels like everything's changing so fast. What if we get jobs in different places? What if things don't work out the way we planned?"
Max chuckled softly, his thumb brushing over her knuckles. "Mei, you're talking to the guy who somehow managed to get through university with you by my side, even when I didn't have a clue what I was doing half the time. If we could do that, we can handle anything."
Mei laughed, and the sound seemed to ease some of the tension in her chest. Max always had a way of making her feel lighter, as if the weight of the world didn't seem so heavy when he was around.
Just then, they heard footsteps approaching. Turning, they saw Liam and Eva walking toward them, their faces bright with excitement. Liam held up a small white envelope, waving it in the air as he neared.
"You guys won't believe it," Liam announced with a grin. "I just got an email about a job offer!"
Mei's heart skipped a beat. "What? That's amazing, Liam! Where?"
Eva chimed in, her eyes twinkling. "It's at this big company in the city! They've been scouting top talent, and it seems like Liam made quite the impression during his internship."
Liam shrugged, trying to downplay it, but the pride in his eyes was unmistakable. "It's not a sure thing yet, but… it's a start."
Max gave Liam a high five, and the mood instantly lifted. The four of them began to chat excitedly about their plans, the conversation flowing easily as they shared their dreams and aspirations. Yet, as they talked, Mei couldn't help but notice the way Eva looked at Liam, her eyes softening every time he spoke.
It was subtle, but Mei had known Eva long enough to recognize the signs. She felt a flicker of something deep inside her jealousy, maybe? No, it wasn't quite jealousy. It was more like a sense of realization, a quiet understanding that things between Liam and Eva had shifted in a way she hadn't noticed before.
As the conversation continued, Liam and Eva exchanged small glances, the kind that spoke of secrets shared, of a connection forming beneath the surface. Mei found herself watching them more closely, and the more she watched, the more certain she became.
Later that evening, when they had all parted ways and Mei was alone with Max, she couldn't shake the feeling. She turned to him, her brow furrowed in thought.
"Max," she began hesitantly, "do you think… something's happening between Liam and Eva?"
Max looked at her, his expression thoughtful. "Maybe. I've noticed them getting a little closer lately, but I haven't thought much about it. Why?"
Mei bit her lip, unsure of how to put her feelings into words. "I don't know. It's just… I feel like something's changed. Like they're moving in a direction I didn't expect."
Max wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a comforting embrace. "Whatever's going on, we'll be there for them, just like they've been there for us. And hey," he added, his voice lighter, "we'll always have each other, no matter what."
Mei nodded, resting her head against his chest. She knew Max was right. Life would change, as it always did, but they would face it together whatever the future held.