The rhythm of Gianna's life didn't change just because of a cute new student. At least, that's what she told herself. The days blurred together in their usual way—school, part-time job, and the occasional hangout with Mia. Gianna wasn't the type to get caught up in every little thing that happened at school, even though Mia always kept her updated on the latest gossip.
Still, Adrian's presence lingered at the edge of her mind. He seemed to pop up everywhere—whether she liked it or not. It wasn't like she was obsessing over him, but there was no denying he had quickly become a topic of conversation. And now, every time she walked into a room, it was as though her eyes instinctively sought him out.
But she had other things to focus on. More important things.
It was Friday afternoon, and as the final bell rang, signaling the end of the school day, Gianna grabbed her backpack and headed out. The sun had just started dipping in the sky, casting a warm glow over the city streets. She had a shift at the café later that evening, and although the work was repetitive, she didn't mind it. The café was a place where she could blend into the background, where no one really expected much from her besides filling orders and keeping things running smoothly.
She liked that. It was simple. Predictable.
Walking down the familiar streets toward her part-time job, she let her mind wander. Things had been off lately—Ethan had been distant, and though she hadn't wanted to admit it, she could feel something was wrong. It wasn't just the usual busyness or the random arguments over stupid things. There was an underlying tension between them, something unspoken but heavy.
And then there was the strange new dynamic with Adrian, though she tried not to give it too much thought. Every interaction, every glance they exchanged at school, felt like a tug of war between indifference and intrigue.
She pushed those thoughts aside as the café came into view. It was a small, cozy place with wooden floors, warm lighting, and the smell of freshly brewed coffee hanging in the air. Gianna slipped behind the counter, tying her apron and greeting her coworker, Taylor, with a quick nod.
"Busy day?" Gianna asked as she organized the cups and glanced at the seating area, which was half-full.
"Eh, not too bad," Taylor replied, sliding a tray of pastries into the display case. "It'll probably pick up in the next hour, though."
The lull between shifts was one of Gianna's favorite times to be at the café. The customers were sparse, mostly regulars who didn't cause much fuss. She found comfort in the repetitive motions—taking orders, making drinks, cleaning tables. It was the kind of mindless work that gave her space to think, but also allowed her to escape from the constant overthinking.
As the evening wore on, the café filled up as expected, mostly with students from nearby colleges or people stopping by for an after-work coffee. Gianna was moving between the counter and the tables when the door chimed, signaling another customer. She glanced up briefly and froze.
Adrian.
Of course.
He stood at the entrance, looking around for a moment before his eyes landed on her. He didn't smile, but there was a flicker of recognition in his gaze, like he wasn't entirely surprised to see her here.
Gianna felt a strange flutter in her chest but quickly buried it, focusing on her work. She wasn't about to make a big deal out of this. People came to the café all the time. He was just another customer.
Adrian stepped up to the counter, hands in his pockets as he glanced at the menu board overhead. He was casual, almost too relaxed for someone who had a habit of turning heads wherever he went. Gianna approached the register, her expression neutral.
"Hey," he said, his voice low but carrying that easy confidence she had noticed the first time she saw him.
"Hey," she replied, trying to keep her tone just as casual. "What can I get for you?"
He studied the menu for a moment longer before meeting her gaze again. "Just a black coffee."
Simple. Like him, she supposed.
"Coming right up," Gianna said, turning to start the order.
The machine hummed behind her as she worked, but she couldn't shake the feeling of his eyes on her. It was unsettling, in a way. She didn't understand why he was always so calm, so unaffected by everything around him. Most guys in his position would have flaunted the attention, but not Adrian. He just existed in his own world, as if none of the usual high school drama touched him.
She handed him the coffee a few moments later, their fingers brushing slightly as he took the cup. The small contact sent an unexpected jolt up her arm, and she quickly pulled her hand back.
"Thanks," he said, giving her a small nod before heading to one of the tables by the window.
Gianna exhaled softly, feeling an odd mixture of relief and frustration. She didn't know why Adrian had this effect on her. He was just… there. And yet, somehow, he managed to unsettle her more than she liked to admit.
The rest of her shift passed without incident, but she couldn't shake the strange feeling that the universe was toying with her. Everything in her life seemed to be moving in a direction she didn't quite understand. Ethan was acting strange, Mia was constantly pushing her about Adrian, and now here he was, popping up outside of school like some sort of reminder that nothing stayed the same for long.
By the time Gianna finished her shift and headed home, the sky had darkened, and the cool evening breeze wrapped around her like a welcome embrace. She walked the quiet streets, her thoughts swirling. There were too many pieces to her life that didn't quite fit together, too many questions she didn't have answers to.
But if there was one thing Gianna knew, it was how to keep going. She had spent most of her life adapting, adjusting, and finding ways to handle whatever was thrown at her. She wasn't about to let herself get distracted by some cute transfer student or whatever was going on with Ethan. Her world was more complicated than that.
Reaching her apartment, Gianna climbed the stairs, letting herself into the familiar space. It wasn't much—a small one-bedroom she shared with her mom—but it was home. The faint sound of the TV drifted from the living room, where her mom was probably dozing off on the couch after a long shift. Gianna set her bag down quietly, not wanting to wake her, and headed to her room.
She sat on the edge of her bed, staring out the window for a moment before lying back with a sigh. Life was complicated, no doubt about it. But Gianna had always found a way to make it work, and this time would be no different