Bold Love

Chapter 49 - Realization

Y/N's POV

"Y/n?"

My breath hitches, turning around to the soft voice that nearly doesn't reach my ears since she asked in such a small voice.

And there she is, looking at me with wide eyes, her cheeks flushed from the cold, but she looks as beautiful as ever. Lizzie stares at me with an unreadable expression, my heart either way pounding faster as I see her.

"L-"

Noticing the man standing beside her, my words died down my throat. My eyes travel over him in a swift moment, oddly remembering seeing him before.

Mr. Lawrence...isn't that his name?

If my confusion appears on my face, it wouldn't be visible enough to see because I instantly make a fake smile play around my lips.

Pushing the emotions that run through my blood to the side, I mentally straighten my back. "Miss Hathaway. Mr Lawrence. Good evening." I say politely, trying to get my voice to sound normal.

As if Lizzie forgot who exactly stands beside her, her eyes dart to the side. Awkwardly, I open my mouth, but close it again as no words leave my mouth.

The girl beside me shifts, noticing that I'm not talking, and jumps in to save me from the moment. "Good evening."

Lizzie tilts her head, raising a brow while still smiling softly. "And you are?"

Mirroring her action from before, my eyes move to the girl beside me, quite literally forgetting her for a second.

Oh, don't make her hear that.

"It's Kim. We only met once on the first day this semester." Kim introduces herself with her usual smile. "You didn't find the way at first to your classroom, and y/n was so kind to show you the way."

"Oh, right." She responds, a hint of relief wavering in her voice as her expression relaxes. "I remember you faintly."

My eyes shift between them. Her tone of voice makes my ears prick up, sensing her disapproval against her.

Does she really think that I want anything from Kim? Oh, Lizzie, you don't even see that no one comes close to you.

"Are you having a fun evening, girls?" Mr Lawrence asks, involving himself into the conversation.

I let Kim do the talking, not in the mood to speak to the man, rather observing the woman before me that is on my mind every minute of the day. My gaze halts at her shoulders, where a dark coat lays over her jacket. A light pinch makes itself present in the center of my heart as I notice the lack of coat around Mr Hiddleston's shoulders.

Kim nods. "Yeah, we needed a bit of space from college. The dorms are no good place to enjoy a bit of free time."

"I understand that all too well, it reminds me of my old days in college." Mr Lawrence agrees with a nod, placing his hands inside his pockets.

I can feel her eyes on me, but I don't look at her, avoiding her eyes. They must've had dinner together...nothing more. It's cold, he may have noticed her shiver and politely gave her his coat.

Overthinking the little things in my head, I just listen to the conversation. Better said, I act as if I'm listening, but I can't actually pay attention to anything but this weird feeling in my chest.

When I decide to steal a quick glance at her, I immediately meet her emerald eyes. For a split second, it's like everything around us becomes irrelevant, my mind screaming at me to embrace her again.

Why do I want to keep my distance if it hurts me more than words can describe?

My heart leaps in my chest, her eyes softening. Then she breaks eye-contact, looking to the side and my heart sinks again, like a stone in the ocean, falling deeper into darkness.