Ever since that day at the diner, Adrian and Gianna had started hanging out more often. It wasn't anything planned, just a natural progression that came from bumping into each other during school hours or at the café where she worked. Their interactions were becoming a routine, an unspoken understanding that they were now part of each other's daily lives.
At school, Adrian would find her between classes or sit with her during lunch, their conversations growing less awkward as they settled into a comfortable rhythm. At the café, he'd show up after her shifts, casually leaning against the counter while she worked. Gianna found herself looking forward to those moments more than she cared to admit.
Mia noticed it too.
"Okay, so are you guys a thing or what?" Mia asked one afternoon as they sat in their usual booth at the café. Adrian had stepped out for a moment to take a call, leaving the two girls alone.
Gianna rolled her eyes, stirring her iced coffee lazily. "We're not a thing, Mia."
Mia raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Right. And I'm the queen of England."
"I'm serious," Gianna insisted, though she could feel a hint of heat rising to her cheeks. "We're just hanging out. It's not like that."
"Uh-huh. Sure," Mia said, leaning back in her seat. "You don't just hang out with someone every single day unless there's something going on. Besides, I've seen the way he looks at you. He's into you."
Gianna frowned, biting her lip. She wasn't sure what to make of Adrian's intentions. He was so guarded most of the time, keeping her at arm's length when it came to his personal life. But there were moments—small moments—when he let his guard down, and she caught a glimpse of something deeper. Something vulnerable.
"I don't know, Mia," she said softly, glancing out the window. "He's got a lot going on. I think he just needs someone to talk to. It's not that serious."
Mia gave her a pointed look. "If you say so. Just don't get too attached, okay? I mean, he's cute, but there's something... off about him."
Before Gianna could respond, Adrian walked back into the café, his phone shoved into his pocket. He slid into the booth beside her, flashing her a small smile. "Sorry about that. Everything good?"
"Yeah, all good," Gianna replied, giving him a quick smile before shooting a look at Mia, who was trying and failing to hide her amused expression.
"So, Adrian," Mia said, her tone teasing. "What's your deal? You just show up out of nowhere, steal my best friend's attention, and now you're practically a regular here."
Adrian chuckled, glancing at Gianna as if asking for help. "I didn't mean to steal her attention," he said, playing along. "I guess we just have a lot in common."
"Uh-huh," Mia said, clearly unconvinced but smiling. "Well, I'm just glad Gianna's not spending all her time reading in a corner anymore. Someone's gotta keep her social."
Gianna groaned, rolling her eyes at Mia's teasing. "Okay, can we not make this a thing?"
Mia laughed. "Fine, fine. I'll leave you two alone. For now."
She grabbed her bag and stood up, giving Gianna a wink before heading toward the door. "See you later, G," she called over her shoulder.
Once Mia was gone, Gianna let out a sigh of relief, shaking her head. "She's such a pain sometimes."
Adrian chuckled softly. "She's just looking out for you. It's nice to have someone like that."
"Yeah, she's like a sister to me," Gianna said, smiling fondly. "We've been friends since forever."
Adrian nodded, his expression thoughtful. "I've never really had anyone like that. A friend, I mean."
Gianna looked at him, surprised. "No one?"
He shrugged, glancing down at the table. "Not really. It's just been me for a long time."
There was a quiet sadness in his words that tugged at Gianna's heart. She wanted to ask more, to get him to open up about his past, but she didn't want to push too hard. Instead, she reached across the table and gently nudged his hand with hers.
"Well," she said softly, "you've got us now. Me and Mia. We're your friends."
Adrian looked at her, something soft and unreadable flickering in his eyes. For a moment, Gianna thought he was going to say something—something important—but then he just smiled, that familiar guarded smile she was getting used to.
"Thanks, Gianna," he said quietly.
And just like that, the moment passed.
They spent the rest of the afternoon talking about lighter things—school, random movies, and the latest gossip Mia had shared. But beneath the surface, Gianna couldn't shake the feeling that there was so much more to Adrian's story. And as much as she wanted to know everything, she knew he'd only reveal it when he was ready.
For now, their easy friendship was enough.
But in the back of her mind, she couldn't help but wonder—how much longer could Adrian keep his secrets hidden?