The library had become their regular spot.
At first, Emilia had only come because it was a quiet place where she could concentrate on her assignments. But now, each visit felt like an opportunity to discover more about Aiden. The space was no longer just a place to study—it had become a subtle extension of their growing bond. Every day, it seemed like they learned something new about each other.
One particular afternoon, as they sat across from each other, the library's ambient quiet surrounding them, Aiden looked up from his laptop, a curious gleam in his eyes.
"You know," he said, his voice light, "I never took you for the type who would like fantasy novels."
Emilia's eyebrows furrowed, unsure of where he was going with this.
"What do you mean?" she asked, her tone tentative.
He leaned back in his chair, the motion casual, but there was an unmistakable intensity in his gaze. "I saw you reading The Name of the Wind last week. It's not exactly... mainstream."
Emilia's heart gave a little jump. Aiden had noticed. Had he been paying attention?
"That's my favorite book," she said, a soft smile playing on her lips as she shifted in her seat, a little embarrassed. "I know it's not everyone's thing, but... I can't help it."
Aiden laughed, and it was the kind of laugh that made everything else around them fade away. "Same. It's one of my favorites, too." He paused, then added, "I didn't think I'd find anyone else who appreciated it."
Her heart skipped a beat, a rush of warmth flooding through her. "Really? That's crazy. I didn't think you were the type to read stuff like that."
Aiden's grin widened. "Well, I'm full of surprises."
Emilia smiled, feeling a little lighter, as if a new layer of their friendship had just been peeled back. There was something magical about finding a shared interest like this, something that neither of them had expected but both had secretly wanted. It felt like they were beginning to fit together, piece by piece.
"So," Emilia said, her curiosity piqued, "what other books do you like?"
Aiden's eyes twinkled as he leaned forward, clearly excited to talk about something he loved. "I'm a huge fan of The Lord of the Rings, obviously. Tolkien is a master. But I also like some more obscure stuff—books on philosophy, history, and, of course, political theory." He smiled sheepishly. "I guess that's where the political science major comes in."
Emilia laughed. "I should've guessed. I can't escape political theory either."
Aiden nodded, his fingers absently tapping the table as he spoke. "It's funny how things work out. We're studying the same thing, yet we're completely different in how we approach it. You're more... analytical, I think, and I'm more of a "big picture" kind of guy."
Emilia smiled at his assessment, intrigued. "Yeah, that's what I noticed. I tend to look at the details. I like breaking things down, finding patterns, figuring out what makes things tick."
Aiden considered her words carefully. "Yeah, that's what I noticed. You tend to dig deeper. You don't just accept things at face value." He leaned in a little closer. "I admire that."
Emilia felt a flush rise to her cheeks at his compliment, unsure of how to respond, so she focused instead on the next question. "So, if you're into Tolkien, I have to ask—do you watch The Lord of the Rings movies?"
Aiden grinned widely. "Oh, absolutely. I could watch them on repeat forever. What about you?"
Emilia's smile mirrored his. "Same. I think I've watched them at least a dozen times. The movies are almost as good as the books, but there's something about the books that... well, they just hit differently."
Aiden's eyes sparkled. "Exactly! The films are amazing, but the depth in the books? You can't replicate that."
They both laughed at how easily they could talk about their shared love for Tolkien. It felt easy, natural. There was no tension, no sense of needing to impress each other—just two people who enjoyed the same things, finally finding someone who understood.
---
After their library session ended, Emilia and Aiden walked out into the cool afternoon, side by side. The campus was quieter than usual, a subtle calm that made the air feel a little heavier with possibility.
"Okay," Aiden said, as they reached the steps of the building, "what do you do when you're not drowning in books?"
Emilia smiled, thinking for a moment before replying, "I love gardening. It's a good way for me to relax. I love getting my hands in the dirt, watching things grow."
Aiden's expression softened with interest. "Gardening, huh? That's cool. I've never been good at it, but I can see how it'd be peaceful. You know, like you're creating something."
Emilia nodded, smiling at the thought of her little garden back home. "Exactly. It's therapeutic, in a way. Plus, it's nice to see things bloom after putting in the effort."
Aiden seemed lost in thought for a moment, then grinned. "I can't say I'm into gardening, but I get it. It's like a form of self-expression."
Emilia laughed lightly. "Something like that."
Aiden leaned against the railing, his eyes bright with curiosity. "So what else? Any secret hobbies I should know about?"
Emilia chuckled. "Not really. But I do love music. Taylor Swift is my absolute favorite."
Aiden's eyes lit up. "Taylor Swift? You've got good taste."
Emilia grinned. "Well, she's a genius, isn't she? Her music's just... perfect for every mood."
"Agreed. She's got some songs that really hit home." Aiden's smile widened as he added, "I've probably listened to All Too Well more times than I care to admit."
Emilia's heart skipped. "All Too Well is everything. It's such a raw, emotional song."
Aiden laughed. "I think I know the exact moment when it goes from 'okay' to 'devastating.' It's like she writes songs for people who feel too much."
"I know, right?" Emilia said softly. "It's like she writes exactly what I'm thinking, even when I can't put it into words."
Aiden gave her a look that was filled with understanding. "I get that."
They continued talking about their favorite Taylor Swift songs, and somehow the conversation turned to movies.
"So, what's your go-to movie genre?" Aiden asked, still smiling.
Emilia's eyes lit up. "Action movies. I love them. There's something thrilling about them—like The Dark Knight or anything with a good car chase."
Aiden chuckled, his expression one of amusement. "I should've known. You strike me as someone who'd enjoy a good adrenaline rush."
Emilia shrugged, feeling a little embarrassed but also proud of her choice. "What can I say? I like the excitement. And I'm definitely into Power—the show's just... intense. I'm hooked."
Aiden raised an eyebrow. "Power? Seriously? You're a fan of that show?"
"Yeah!" Emilia said, her voice a little louder now. "It's got everything—action, drama, and some serious twists. I'm addicted to it."
Aiden laughed, his amusement clear. "I didn't take you for a Power fan. But... I can't deny it, that show has some of the best plot twists."
"Right?" Emilia said, as they continued walking, the conversation flowing easily. "Every episode leaves you with your jaw on the floor."
Aiden nodded. "Exactly. It's like a roller coaster. Once you're on, there's no getting off."
They both laughed, and as they continued walking side by side, it felt more and more like they were uncovering layer after layer of who the other person was. Each new discovery, whether about their love for action movies or Taylor Swift, brought them closer.
Later that evening, as they sat in a small café on the edge of campus, sipping their drinks and continuing to chat about everything and nothing, Emilia found herself feeling lighter than she had in a long time. With Aiden, she didn't feel like she had to try so hard to be someone she wasn't. She could be herself—quiet, introspective, and passionate—and it felt like Aiden truly understood her.
They had spent hours talking about their favorite books, movies, music, and everything in between. They learned how they both shared a deep love for the art of storytelling, whether through film, literature, or music. Every conversation felt effortless, every moment felt like it could stretch on forever.
And yet, beneath the surface of this newfound connection, there lingered something unspoken. A tension that neither of them fully acknowledged but that neither could ignore. As they sat there, exchanging thoughts and laughter, there was an undeniable sense that this, whatever this was, was more than just two people finding common ground.
It felt like something had started to shift.
As the evening came to an end, they stood to leave, and Emilia caught Aiden's gaze. For a moment, they just looked at each other, as if both waiting for the other to say something. But neither of them did.
Instead, Aiden smiled, that same warm, genuine smile that made Emilia's heart flutter. "Same time tomorrow?"
Emilia grinned, feeling the warmth of his smile settle deep within her. "Definitely."
---