Precious Virtue ✓

Chapter 11: Illusory Chemistry

Precious Virtue

Chapter XI: Illusory Chemistry

[Adrien's POV]

"Here," Luka smiled, handing over my vanilla latte as he sat down in the booth across from me with his own cup of coffee and a maple donut.

"Thank you," I smiled back at him. He shrugged off his coat, set it down on the booth next to him, and pulled his donut out of the brown paper bag.

We were hanging out at the coffee shop on campus, a routine we have developed since we became friends. It was nice hanging out with Luka. He was enjoyable to hang with and it was comfortable. Luella and my other roommates keep teasing me about Luka liking me, but honestly, it didn't seem like he liked me more than just a friend. Ever since our almost kiss, he hasn't brought it up once, almost as if it had never happened, and so I couldn't help but think it was nothing more than an almost mistake.

Another thing was, was I even ready to date other people? And what would Preston think? Would he be okay with it? He seemed fine when Luka was over, he shook his hand and whatnot, but I'm not a mind reader.

Speaking of Preston, he hasn't messaged me much either since he came to visit. I'm sure he's just busy because he's a science major and is likely drowning in labs and quizzes and assignments, but I missed talking to him every day like we used to. Our lives have shifted and sometimes I couldn't help but feel we are moving in separate directions.

"Hey, can I ask you something?" Luka spoke up, ripping a piece off his donut and eating it. I raised a brow at him curiously, taking a short sip of my vanilla latte.

"Of course, what's up?"

"There is a college party happening this weekend. I was wondering if you maybe wanna go? Some of my buddies are going and you could meet them, and you could bring your roommates as well."

I paused, holding my latte cup to my lips. Did I really want to go to a college party? Part of me wanted to stay in, but it could be fun. My roommates would definitely want to go and would likely drag me with them, and I mean...parties were part of the college experience, so it couldn't hurt to go.

"Yeah, I'll go. It sounds fun. I'll talk to my roommates about it too," I set my latte back down on the table and nodded with a smile. Luka grinned.

"Great! If you need a ride, let me know and I can pick you up. Or I can just meet you there, whatever works."

"Sounds good," I hummed.

***

"Hey Adrien, how was your coffee date with Luka?" Karsten asked me when I arrived back at our dorm, setting my bag onto the ground.

"Not a date, but it was good," I chuckled. I shrugged off my coat and kicked off my shoes, before joining Karsten on the couch where he was sitting and drawing on his iPad. Karsten hummed, and grinned.

"Right, my mistake."

I rolled my eyes, leaning over his shoulder to peek at his iPad, "what are you drawing?"

"Just a cute little fantasy slash romance piece between two of my lovely characters," He replied, "I got bored of doing my art history homework so I'm just taking a break."

"Well it looks great so far, you'll have to show me it when you're done."

"I will," Karsten nodded, "you should tell me about your hang out with Luka! What did you guys talk about? Did he man up and ask you about the kiss yet?"

"Nope, the kiss is nonexistent at this point," I chuckled, "it's fine, I don't really care that much. But, he did tell me that there was a college party happening this weekend."