With midterms behind them, the pace on campus began to slow. Students returned to their usual routines, and the library, once bustling with late-night cram sessions, became quieter. The crisp fall weather encouraged people to spend more time outdoors, enjoying the golden leaves and cool breezes.
One afternoon, Mira decided to take advantage of the beautiful day by going for a walk through the park around campus. She loved the peacefulness of the path lined with tall oaks and the sound of leaves crunching underfoot. Carrying a tote bag with a new book she'd been meaning to read, she found a bench under a tree and settled in.
As she opened her book, she felt someone brush past her quickly, almost knocking her bag off the bench.
"Oh, sorry!" came a familiar voice.
She looked up to see Jake standing there, holding a cup of coffee that had narrowly avoided spilling. His cheeks were flushed, either from the cold or embarrassment.
"Jake!" Mira said, laughing at the coincidence. "Are you always bumping into people, or is it just me?"
He chuckled, running a hand through his hair. "Apparently, it's my thing now. Mind if I sit?"
Mira gestured to the empty space beside her. "Go ahead. Seems like fate keeps throwing us together."
They sat for a while, chatting about their plans now that midterms were over, what they plan on doing, the events and activities coming up. Mira shared her excitement about an upcoming Literature Club event.
"You know it's going to be fun". Mira said with a proud smile on her face, "there's going to be lots of presentations and activities."
"I get it, so can you quite smiling like you're the host of the event" Jake said teasingly.
"What? Am I not permitted to smile anymore? or you can't resist this cute face" Mira said while increasing her smile.
"It's just well creepy the way you've been talking about it for over 20mins that's all". Jake replied "and "yeah I can't resist it" he said in his mind.
"Well, it's going to be amazing, so am inviting you to come and witness it" Mira said.
"Alright, am not promising but maybe I can tag along" Jake said.
"Great" Mira said. "Will be expecting you then".
As they talked, the conversation shifted to more personal topics. Mira found herself opening up about her dream of becoming a novelist. She described how her love for stories had shaped her life, from writing tales in notebooks as a child to now studying Literature in college.
"Writing's always been my escape," she admitted. "It's how I make sense of the world you know."
Jake listened intently; his coffee forgotten. "That's amazing, Mira. You have a gift for expressing yourself, anyone who's read your essays in class would agree."
Mira blushed, surprised by the compliment. "What about you?"
Jake smiled; his gaze distant for a moment. "I've always been fascinated by the idea that we're all part of a larger story. History isn't just dates and events, its people's lives, their choices, and how those ripple through time. It makes me feel connected to something bigger."
Their shared passion for storytelling, in different forms, made their conversation feel natural, almost inevitable.
As the sun began to dip lower in the sky, Mira noticed Jake's coffee cup was empty. She gestured toward the café across the street. "Want to grab another coffee? My treat, since you didn't spill yours on me earlier."
Jake laughed. "Deal. But only if I get to buy the next one."
They walked together, the casual stroll filled with lighthearted banter. At the café, they settled into a corner table, continuing their conversation over warm drinks.
Somewhere between laughing about a shared disdain for overly long essays and debating the best classic novels, Mira felt a shift. It wasn't just Jake's words or the way he looked at her, it was the ease with which they connected.
Jake seemed to notice it too. "You know," he said after a pause, "I didn't expect college to feel like this. I thought it'd just be about classes and grades, but it's been so much more."
Mira tilted her head, curious. "What do you mean?"
"I mean people like you," he said, his voice soft but sincere. "It's rare to find someone who makes everything feel... right."
Mira's breath caught, and for a moment, she wasn't sure how to respond. But the warmth in Alex's eyes made her feel safe enough to be honest.
"Me too," she admitted. "This isn't what I expected either, but I'm glad it turned out this way."
The café began to fill with students, breaking the intimate bubble they'd created. As they finished their drinks and prepared to leave, Jake hesitated.
"Mira, I was wondering" he started, but then seemed to change his mind. "Never mind. It's nothing."
"No, what is it?" she prompted, her curiosity piqued.
He scratched the back of his neck, clearly nervous. "I was going to ask if you wanted to go to that guest lecture with me next week. It's about storytelling in historical narratives, so I thought you might find it interesting."
Mira smiled, relieved and touched by the thoughtfulness of his invitation. "I'd love to. That sounds perfect."
"That's a yes, right?" Jake asked. "Just to be clear".
"Yeah, sure" Mira replied
"Good". Jake said with a grin on his face. "So, I will hold you by your words, when the day arrives".
"Whatever you say Jake" Mira said rather teasingly.
Unknowing to Mira, she had caused a stir in Jake's heart.
"Geez, what's wrong with me. This isn't the first time she called my name but it felt different" Jake said to himself. "And why is my heart beating so fast".
"I think we should head off now" Mira said, causing Jake to come out from the trance he was.
"Alright" Jake replied.
As they walked hand in hand out into the fading sun, while still having minor discussion about one thing or the other. They finally departed into different routes to their dorm, with Jake thinking about the time they've spent together and Mira having a lot going through her head.
As Jake walked into his dorm room, he couldn't shake off the feeling that lingered long after he parted ways with Mira. He lay down on his bed, staring blankly at the ceiling as his mind replayed their conversation.
Mira's bright smile and infectious laughter echoed in his thoughts, making him smile. He couldn't believe how much he enjoyed her company, how easy it was to talk to her.
As he drifted into a daydream, Mark burst into the room, shattering the silence. "Dude, what's up? You've been gone for hours!"
Jake sat up, rubbing his eyes. "Just grabbed coffee with Mira," he replied, trying to sound nonchalant.
Mark's eyes lit up. "Mira, huh? You're really making moves, man!"
Jake chuckled, feeling a flush rise to his cheeks. "Shut up, Mark. It was just coffee."
But as he lay back down, he couldn't help but wonder if it was more than just coffee. He couldn't shake off the feeling that Mira had left a mark on his heart.
Meanwhile, across campus, Mira walked into her dorm room, a soft smile still plastered on her face. She flopped down onto her bed, closing her eyes as she relived the moments she shared with Jake.
Jenna looked up from her book, noticing the far-off look in Mira's eyes. "Hey, girl, what's up? You look like you're in a daze."
Mira's eyes fluttered open, and she sighed, feeling a little dreamy. "I just had coffee with Jake," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
Jenna's eyes sparkled. "Ooh, spill the tea! How was it?"
Mira's smile grew wider. "It was... really nice. We talked for hours, and I felt so comfortable around him."
As she drifted off to sleep, Mira's thoughts lingered on Jake.