FELICITY

Chapter 3: A Whisper of Fate

Paula couldn’t stop thinking about Timothy.

Their conversations, his smile, the way he seemed genuinely interested in everything she had to say—it all played on a loop in her mind.

She found herself looking forward to their shared classes, hoping to bump into him between lectures, and daydreaming about their future conversations.

A few days later, Paula and Mia were sitting in the student center, going over their assignments.

Mia, ever perceptive, noticed Paula’s distraction.

"Alright, spill. What’s going on?" Mia asked, her eyes twinkling with curiosity.

Paula hesitated, then sighed. "It’s Timothy. I think I might be starting to like him."

Mia grinned. "Starting to? Paula, you’ve been gushing about him non-stop. Do you think he likes you too?"

Paula bit her lip. "I don’t know. We get along really well, but I can’t tell if he sees me as just a friend or something more."

Mia put a reassuring hand on Paula’s shoulder. "Give it time. You’ll know when the moment is right."

Paula nodded, feeling a mixture of hope and uncertainty.

She decided to take things one day at a time, cherishing their moments together without rushing into anything.

The next day, in their Literature class, Paula found herself sitting next to Timothy again.

Dr. Jenkins assigned a group project, and to Paula’s delight, she and Timothy were paired together.

"We make a pretty good team," Timothy said, his smile making Paula’s heart skip a beat.

"Yeah, I think so too," she replied, trying to keep her voice steady.

They spent the next week working on their project, meeting in the library and at the campus café.

Each meeting felt like a small adventure, filled with shared laughter and deep conversations.

Paula cherished every moment, her feelings for Timothy growing stronger with each passing day.

One evening, after a particularly productive study session, they decided to take a walk around the campus.

The air was crisp, and the stars twinkled above them.

"You know," Timothy said, breaking the comfortable silence, "I’ve really enjoyed working on this project with you. It’s been… different."

"Different how?" Paula asked, her heart racing.

"Different in a good way," he replied, his voice soft. "I feel like we really connect, you know?"

Paula’s heart soared, but she played it cool. "Yeah, I feel the same way."

They walked in silence for a few moments, the only sound the crunch of leaves under their feet.

Paula wanted to tell him how she felt, but something held her back. She didn’t want to rush things and risk ruining what they had.

"Paula, can I ask you something?" Timothy’s voice broke through her thoughts.

"Of course," she replied, looking up at him.

"Do you believe in fate?" he asked, his expression thoughtful.

Paula considered the question. "I think so. I mean, sometimes things happen that feel too perfect to be just a coincidence."

"Like us meeting," Timothy said, a small smile playing on his lips.

"Yeah, like that," Paula agreed, her heart fluttering.

They continued their walk, the silence now filled with a comfortable warmth.

Paula felt a surge of hope. Maybe Timothy did feel the same way, but she would wait for the right moment to confess her feelings.

Over the next few weeks, Paula and Timothy grew even closer. They spent more time together, sharing stories, dreams, and secrets.

Paula’s feelings deepened, and she found herself falling for him more and more each day.

One afternoon, as they were studying in the library, Timothy looked up from his book and caught Paula’s eye. "Paula, I’m really glad we met," he said softly.

"Me too, Timothy," she replied, her voice filled with emotion.

Paula felt a whisper of fate, a sense that their connection was meant to be.

She decided to wait a little longer, trusting that the right moment would come.

Until then, she would cherish their friendship and the growing bond between them.

That night, as she lay in bed, Paula felt a sense of peace. She knew that when the time was right, she would find the courage to tell Timothy how she felt.

And she hoped, with all her heart, that he felt the same way.