Friday afternoon swept through campus with a sense of anticipation as students buzzed about their weekend plans. Gianna found herself lingering in the school library, organizing her notes and avoiding the crowded hallways. Despite her talk with Mia, things with Ethan still felt unsettled, and the weekend stretched before her like a question mark she couldn't ignore.
As she closed her notebook, she noticed Adrian walking toward her, his gaze brightening when he saw her.
"Got a minute?" he asked, sliding into the seat across from her.
"Of course," she replied, smiling. "What's up?"
He leaned forward, his expression serious. "So, I've been thinking… I know things have been tense with Ethan, and I don't want to complicate things for you. But I also don't want to keep tiptoeing around it. I'd like to get to know you better, Gianna. Outside of all…this." He gestured to the school around them, his tone open and sincere.
She hesitated, his words sinking in. Part of her wanted to protect the delicate balance of her life, but another part of her—the part that felt alive whenever she was around Adrian—was done hiding.
"I'd like that too," she said finally, feeling a rush of warmth at his hopeful smile.
"Great. How about tomorrow? Maybe I can show you around the art district. There's a street fair going on."
"That sounds perfect," she said, feeling a spark of excitement.
As they stood to leave, they nearly bumped into Ethan, who had been watching them from across the library. His face was a mix of confusion and frustration, his eyes fixed on their close proximity. Gianna's stomach twisted as she saw the hurt in his expression.
"Hey," he said, his voice strained. "Am I interrupting?"
"Ethan, hey!" Gianna greeted him, forcing a casual tone. "I didn't know you'd be here."
He crossed his arms, looking between her and Adrian. "Yeah, I just… wanted to see if we were still on for Sunday. You mentioned a movie?"
Her mind went blank for a second. She'd forgotten entirely. "Right. Yes, Sunday works."
Adrian cleared his throat and gave a polite nod to Ethan. "I'll catch you later, Gianna," he said, his tone neutral as he left, giving her a small wave.
Once Adrian was gone, Ethan let out a deep breath. "I feel like I barely see you anymore, G."
"Ethan, we're seeing each other right now," she replied gently, hoping to ease his tension.
"Are we?" he asked, his voice sharper than usual. "Because it feels like you're spending more time with him than with me."
She sighed, knowing this was coming. "Ethan, I told you before—Adrian and I are just friends."
"Friends," he repeated, shaking his head. "Right. Just friends."
They stood in awkward silence for a moment, the weight of unspoken words hanging between them. She wished she could find a way to reassure him, to convince him that things were okay. But deep down, she knew things were shifting, and there was nothing she could do to stop it.
"Look, we're still on for Sunday," she said softly, hoping to offer a small bridge between them. "We can talk then, okay?"
Ethan's expression softened slightly, though the doubt in his eyes remained. "Yeah… okay."
He reached out to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, a small, familiar gesture, before giving her a brief hug. "I'll see you later, G."
"See you," she replied, watching as he walked away, feeling the divide between them grow a little wider.
Saturday arrived, bringing with it a clear blue sky and a soft breeze that carried the scent of fresh pastries from nearby cafés. Gianna met Adrian in the heart of the art district, where rows of booths lined the streets, displaying paintings, handmade jewelry, and vibrant textiles. Musicians played on street corners, filling the air with an easy, upbeat rhythm that matched her mood.
They wandered from booth to booth, sharing laughs and stories as they admired the artwork and sampled treats from various vendors. Adrian pointed out his favorite pieces, describing each with a passion that made her see them in a new light.
"So, you really think the artist meant all that?" she asked, eyeing a striking painting of a cityscape drenched in deep blue and orange hues.
Adrian shrugged, grinning. "Maybe. Or maybe I just make it up as I go along. Isn't that what art's for?"
She laughed, nudging his shoulder. "I guess so. You're good at it, though."
They continued exploring, the day slipping by effortlessly. As they paused at a quiet park bench to rest, Adrian turned to her, his expression thoughtful.
"Gianna, I feel like I've known you forever," he said, his voice soft. "It's strange, but… good."
She felt a blush rise to her cheeks and looked away, smiling. "I feel the same way."
For a moment, they sat in comfortable silence, watching people stroll by, lost in their own worlds. She felt a warmth settle in her chest, a kind of peace she hadn't felt in a long time.
But as she glanced at Adrian, she realized that this peace came with a choice—a choice she wasn't entirely ready to make.
That night, as she lay in bed replaying the day in her mind, her phone buzzed with a message from Ethan.
Ethan: Looking forward to tomorrow.
She stared at the screen, feeling a wave of guilt. Part of her wanted to text back with something reassuring, but another part of her hesitated, unsure of what she truly felt. She wanted to be fair to Ethan, to give him the time and attention he deserved. But she also couldn't deny the connection she felt with Adrian, a connection that seemed to grow with each passing day.
With a sigh, she put her phone down, letting her thoughts drift as she closed her eyes. Tomorrow, she would have to face whatever lay ahead, to make sense of the tangled feelings pulling her in different directions