Gracie froze for a moment, her breath catching in her throat. The sound of his voice sent a thrill through her. She hadn't expected him to acknowledge her in such a casual manner, and the warmth of his smile made her heart race even faster.
"Oh, um, hi!" she stammered, feeling both flustered and excited. Her initial impulse to flee was replaced by the desire to engage, to break through the barrier of formality and connect with him on a more personal level.
Adrian chuckled softly, clearly enjoying her reaction. "You did well on the test, I hope. I saw you working hard over there," he remarked, his tone encouraging.
Gracie felt a rush of warmth at his compliment, and she couldn't help but smile back, feeling a surge of confidence. "Thanks! I tried my best," she replied, feeling a mixture of pride and embarrassment as she stood there, momentarily forgetting the world around them.
"So, are you busy after the test? Do you have a prior appointment or a class you want to take?" Adrian asked, his smile warm and inviting, making it difficult for Gracie to concentrate on anything else.
"Oh no!" she exclaimed unexpectedly, her voice rising above the chatter in the classroom. Realizing how abrupt her response sounded, she quickly corrected herself. "Sorry, I meant to say that I have no prior appointments. I'm free," she stuttered, feeling a wave of embarrassment wash over her as she nervously tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
Her flustered reaction only made Adrian chuckle, clearly finding her nervousness endearing. The slight blush that crept onto her cheeks only added to his amusement. "Let's hang out then," he suggested, his tone casual yet filled with a hint of excitement.
Gracie's heart raced at the invitation, and without a second thought, she agreed immediately. "Sure! I'd love to!" The enthusiasm in her voice surprised even her, but she couldn't help it; the prospect of spending more time with Adrian felt exhilarating.
"Wait for me outside; I want to drop the test scripts in the professor's office first, then I'll join you," Adrian explained, his tone light and casual. Gracie nodded in response, her heart fluttering with a mix of excitement and nerves as she stepped outside to wait for him. The crisp air felt refreshing against her skin, and she took a moment to collect her thoughts, wondering what their time together would hold.
Only a minute had passed before Adrian returned, his expression bright and inviting. "Shall we?" he gestured with a polite smile that made Gracie's heart skip a beat. She couldn't help but smile back, feeling a warmth spread through her at the sight of him. There was something undeniably charming about his demeanor, and she was grateful for the opportunity to spend more time with him.
As they began to walk side by side, Gracie felt a rush of curiosity. She had no idea where they were headed, and the mystery of their destination excited her.
The campus was alive with activity, students bustling about, and the vibrant colors of the winter landscape added a picturesque backdrop to their outing. She marveled at how the sun cast a warm glow through the trees, creating patterns on the ground that danced with the gentle breeze.
It was as if Adrian could read her mind when he glanced over and asked, "So, where do you want to go? Do you have anywhere in mind?" His voice was playful, and there was an eagerness in his expression that made Gracie feel at ease.
After a brief moment of consideration, she decided to settle for the school café. "How about the café? I could use a coffee," she suggested, her enthusiasm evident. The thought of sipping a warm drink while chatting with him felt perfect; it was a cozy setting that would allow for easy conversation.
"Perfect choice," Adrian replied with a grin, his eyes lighting up with enthusiasm. They continued walking, and Gracie felt a sense of ease wash over her. The tension from earlier had dissipated, replaced by a sense of comfort that made her feel like they were long-time friends rather than just acquaintances.
As they strolled through the campus, the sounds of laughter and conversation surrounded them, creating a lively atmosphere that made Gracie's heart race.
She glanced at Adrian, noticing how confidently he walked, and she found herself admiring the way he interacted with the world around him. He greeted a few passing students with a friendly nod, and she couldn't help but feel a spark of admiration for how effortlessly he connected with others.
"Have you been to the café recently?" Adrian asked, breaking her thoughts.
"No, it's been a while. I usually just grab something quick between classes," Gracie admitted, feeling a bit sheepish. "I'm excited to actually sit down and enjoy it this time."
"Good choice," he replied, his tone encouraging. "They have the best pastries, and their coffee is pretty great too. You're in for a treat!"
As they approached the café, Gracie's heart fluttered with anticipation. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafted through the air, mingling with the sweet scent of baked goods. The café was bustling with students, some studying, others catching up with friends. It had a cozy, inviting atmosphere, filled with the warm glow of fairy lights that hung from the ceiling.
Once inside, they found a small table by the window. Gracie took a seat, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness as she looked at the menu. Adrian leaned closer, his voice low and friendly. "So, what's your go-to order? I have to know what kind of coffee person you are."
Gracie smiled, feeling the conversation flow naturally between them."I usually go for a vanilla latte, but I'm open to trying something new. What about you?"
"I'm a bit of a coffee snob," he admitted with a laugh. "I love a good black coffee. But I think you should stick with the vanilla latte; it suits you."
Her cheeks flushed at the compliment, and she felt a thrill of exhilaration at the connection they were forming.
As they placed their orders and waited for their drinks, Gracie couldn't shake the feeling that this encounter was the start of something special. She was eager to learn more about Adrian, his interests, and what made him tick.
"While we're waiting for our orders, I wanted to ask why you acted like you didn't know me when you saw me in class earlier," Adrian inquired, his tone carrying a hint of seriousness that caught Gracie off guard. "If I didn't call out to you, I'm pretty sure you would have just left without saying hi."
Gracie felt her cheeks flush, and in that moment, she wished the ground would open up and swallow her whole. She had hoped he wouldn't bring that up during their conversation, but it seemed her luck had run out. The last thing she wanted was to delve into her insecurities, especially not now when she was finally enjoying his company.
"I didn't mean to ignore you," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I just felt a bit intimidated to approach you, and I assumed you wouldn't want to talk to me either." The words tumbled out, and she felt exposed, as if she had bared her vulnerabilities for him to see.
Adrian's expression softened, and his usual polite smile returned as he leaned slightly closer to her, clearly trying to comfort her. "You don't have to feel intimidated to talk to me," he reassured her, his voice warm and sincere. "Feel free to talk to me or approach me whenever you want."
His words were like a soothing balm, easing the tension that had momentarily hung in the air. Gracie couldn't help but feel a flicker of hope ignite within her.
Maybe this was the beginning of a friendship—or perhaps something more. The vulnerability she had just shared seemed to bridge a gap between them, making the atmosphere feel lighter and more open.
As if on cue, their orders arrived, breaking the intensity of the moment. The barista placed their drinks on the table, and the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, mingling with the sweet scent of pastries. Gracie took a deep breath, grateful for the distraction.
"Thanks!" Adrian expressed to the barista before turning his attention back to her. He picked up his cup and took a sip, savoring the flavor. "So, what do you think? Are you ready to give your drink a try?"
Gracie picked up her vanilla latte, the warmth of the cup radiating through her fingers. With a mix of excitement and nervousness, she took a sip.
The sweet, creamy flavor enveloped her senses, and she smiled, feeling a rush of comfort wash over her. "This is really good! I see why you recommended it," she replied, her earlier embarrassment fading as they shifted back into lighthearted conversation.
I—" Adrian began, ready to add more to the conversation, but his words were abruptly interrupted by the sound of a phone ringing. Gracie's eyes widened as she glanced at her phone screen; it was Alex calling. It had been a while since they had spoken properly, and without hesitation, she answered the call, excusing herself with a quick, "I'll be right back," before stepping outside.
As she walked away, Adrian observed her with a hint of curiosity. He realized the caller must be someone important to her, given how quickly she picked up the phone. While he waited for her call to end, he quietly sipped on his coffee, savoring the rich, bitter taste that lingered on his palate. The café ambiance enveloped him, filled with the soft chatter of students and the clinking of cups, but his thoughts were solely on Gracie.
Minutes stretched on, and the phone call seemed to be taking longer than he had anticipated. To pass the time, Adrian decided to order another coffee, hoping to keep his energy up for the rest of their outing. He glanced at the door now and then, wondering what they would talk about once she returned.
After what felt like an eternity, Gracie finally walked back in, her expression slightly flustered yet apologetic. "I'm so sorry I took so much of your time. The call took longer than I had expected," she explained, her voice laced with genuine regret as she settled back into her seat.
"Oh, no need to apologize," Adrian reassured her, his tone warm and understanding. "It must be someone very important to you. I completely understand." He wanted her to feel at ease, to know that he valued her time and the connection they were building.
Gracie smiled, a hint of relief washing over her as she picked up her cup and took a sip of her vanilla latte. The familiar warmth and sweetness brought comfort, grounding her after the unexpected interruption.
Adrian could not hide his curiosity. Despite convincing himself that it was none of his business, his inquisitiveness got the better of him. "Who was that on the call?" he asked, letting the question slip out, a persistent thought that had been nagging at his mind.
The question took Gracie by surprise, but instead of discomfort, it brought a huge smile to her face—a radiant smile that Adrian hadn't seen before. "That was my best friend, Alex! We hadn't seen each other in a while, so we had a lot to talk about," she gushed, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she spoke about her friend.
For some reason, her enthusiastic reaction to describing her 'best friend' felt a bit unsettling for Adrian. He couldn't quite place why, but an unusually unpleasant feeling settled in the pit of his stomach. "I see," he simply uttered, trying to mask his feelings with a neutral tone.
Not wanting to dwell on the topic of another person, he decided to shift their conversation to something more familiar—something that would keep the focus on them. "So, what do you think of our professors this semester?" he inquired, hoping to steer the conversation in a direction that felt more comfortable.
Gracie eagerly dove into the discussion, sharing her thoughts on their professors and the quirks that made each of them unique. Adrian listened attentively, pleased to see her so animated. "Definitely don't submit your work late, and if you ever see Professor Harper with her coffee, just steer clear," she joked, her laughter infectious.
Adrian chuckled, remembering his own experiences with Professor Harper. "You're absolutely right! She has a very low tolerance for late submissions. And trust me, avoid eye contact when she's in a bad mood," he advised, sharing his insights with a playful tone. As an upperclassman, he felt a sense of responsibility to guide her and share the wisdom he had gained over the years.
They continued to exchange stories and experiences, and Adrian found himself enjoying the conversation more than he had anticipated.
After a lengthy and engaging conversation, they finally reached a point where it felt right to exchange numbers. Adrian pulled out his phone, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Let's make sure we keep in touch. I'd love to help you with any questions you might have about classes or just hang out sometime," he suggested, his enthusiasm genuine.
Gracie nodded, her own smile mirroring his. "Absolutely! I'd really appreciate that,"she replied as she typed her number into his phone. After confirming that they had each other's correct digits, they both exchanged smiles.
As they prepared to bid each other goodbye, the atmosphere was filled with a mix of excitement and a hint of reluctance. "I had a really great time today," Adrian expressed, his tone sincere. "Thanks for sharing your thoughts and stories with me."
"Me too! It was so nice to hang out with you," Gracie replied, her eyes reflecting the warmth of their interaction. They exchanged a final smile, one filled with unspoken understanding and the anticipation of future conversations.
With a wave, they each turned to head their separate ways, but both felt a lingering sense of hope. It was clear that this was just the beginning of something special, and as they walked away, Adrian couldn't shake the feeling that he wanted to learn more about Gracie—and perhaps even about this Alex who seemed to hold such an important place in her life.