𝐎𝐜𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐄𝐲𝐞𝐬 ✔

𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐫

𝐋𝐲𝐫𝐚

The bistro Jenifer picked had an unexpected charm. It wasn't the usual bustling café you'd expect near a university, but a spot tucked away by a fountain, where the noise of the city softened to a gentle hum. The sandwiches were good.

As I sat there, I watched Calex and Jenifer exchange polite conversation. They were getting along, but there was an undercurrent of something—awkwardness, maybe, or just the natural tension of two people who didn't quite know what to make of each other. Calex seemed unfazed, though, chatting easily about some art exhibit he'd seen recently. I caught the way Jenifer's gaze flicked to me now and then, as if gauging how I felt about him. I wasn't entirely sure myself but I did like him around.

After a while, Calex glanced at his watch and sighed. "I've got one more class to catch. It was nice meeting you, Jenifer." 

Jenifer offered him a small smile as she waved it off. He turned to me, his eyes softening just a bit. "I'll see in class tomorrow?"

"Sure," I replied, watching as he pulled out his phone. We exchanged numbers quickly as he rose to his feet.

Jenifer watched him go, then turned to me with a raised eyebrow. "He seems... interesting."

I shrugged, keeping my expression neutral. "He's alright. Still figuring him out."

Jenifer smiled, but there was something searching in her gaze, as if she wanted to pry but knew better than to push—it was her usual way of testing the waters, of seeing if there was something there. I could always tell when she was in matchmaking mode. She'd been playing cupid ever since we became friends, always trying to set me up with someone she thought would "sweep me off my feet."

But that had never really been my thing.

I thought back to the one real relationship I'd had in high school, with Luca. A gorgeous Italian boy with tan skin, dark brown eyes, and a smile that could melt hearts. At least, that's what everyone said. And for a while, it seemed like we were perfect together. We looked good in photos, we made sense on paper. But that was all it ever was. A pretty picture.

In reality, there had never been a real connection between us. We didn't laugh at the same things. We didn't talk about the things that mattered. It was all surface-level, and after a while, we both realized it. We ended things mutually, no hard feelings, just an understanding that we weren't meant for each other.

Since then, I hadn't really been in a hurry to dive into anything else. I liked my space. I liked my independence. And maybe part of me was still waiting for something more, something real, something that went deeper than just appearances.

Jenifer, though—she was the opposite. She had this effortless charm, this ability to dive into things without hesitation. Her relationships were always intense, burning bright and fast, but they never lasted long. I think she liked it that way. She was always chasing after that initial spark, that thrill of the unknown, but when things started to settle, she lost interest. It was like watching fireworks—brilliant and captivating, but fleeting.

"You know," I said, changing the subject before she could read too much into my indifference, "I've been thinking about buying a bicycle. Walking everywhere's starting to wear on me."

Jenifer nodded, her smile widening just slightly. "You've been saying that for weeks. Oxford's perfect for it, Lyra. And with how close everything is, you could get around so much faster."

"I know, I know," I laughed. "I'll look for one this weekend, maybe." I shifted in my seat, glancing down at my watch. "Speaking of errands, I also need to pick up some art supplies before the shops close. I've got that new project due next week."

She arched an eyebrow again, a playful skepticism in her tone. "When do you not need art supplies?"

I grinned. "Point taken."

Jenifer leaned back in her chair, resting her elbow on the table. "Well, I've got to go grocery shopping soon. We're running low on just about everything. We could do that tomorrow after classes if you're free?"

I nodded. "Sounds good. My class doesn't end until four, but we can head out right after."

She sighed theatrically. "Perfect. The joys of adulthood. Groceries and budgeting."

"We're really living the dream," I replied with a small smirk. 

Jenifer stood up, her chair scraping lightly against the cobblestones. "We should probably get going. Classes start in twenty minutes, and you know I hate rushing."

I nodded, grabbing my bag and slipping my phone into my pocket. Together, we made our way through the small square, the sound of our footsteps blending with the gentle murmur of the city. The streets were quieter here, away from the main campus, with just the occasional cyclist or passerby hurrying through.

"I'll meet you after class?" I asked as we reached the corner where our paths split—hers leading toward All Souls, mine toward Ruskin.

Jenifer waved her hand dismissively. "Of course. We'll leave together after."

....

The rest of the afternoon passed in a blur of canvas and charcoal. My lecture had ended hours ago, but I lingered in the studio, lost in the first strokes of a new project. But eventually, my phone buzzed, snapping me back to reality and reminding me that time had slipped away.

Jenifer was waiting for me outside, leaning casually against the iron gates with her bag slung over one shoulder. She spotted me and straightened up, her expression relaxed.

"Ready to go?" she asked as I approached.

"Yeah," I said, falling into step beside her. "How was your first day?"

She shrugged, her French accent curling around her words, somehow heavier now that the day was winding down. "Nothing too exciting. Just introductions, reading lists... the usual."

"Same here." I kicked at a stray pebble as we walked, feeling the exhaustion begin to settle in. "I forgot how tiring the first day can be. I'm not sure I'm ready for the full swing of things again."

Jenifer laughed softly, the sound blending into the city's hum.

We caught the bus home, the streets of Oxford rolling past the window as we sat in comfortable silence. The day's fading light cast everything in a soft, golden glow, and for a moment, it felt like the city was holding its breath, waiting for the night to settle in.

When we finally reached our apartment, the noise of the city life faded into the background, replaced by the familiar creak of the old wooden door as we let ourselves inside. The lift groaned beneath our footsteps as it ascended to our flat. 

Jenifer dropped her bag onto the couch and flopped down beside it, letting out a dramatic sigh. "Home sweet home," she muttered, half to herself.

I smiled, setting my own things down before sinking into the chair across from her. The evening was quiet now, the noise of the day fading away as we both let ourselves relax.

I soon stood up, retreating toward my room. "I'm going to crash early. First day exhaustion is real."

She waved me off, half-distracted by something on her phone. "Night, Lyra."

With that, I slipped into the quiet of my room, letting the door click shut behind me. The faint glow of the city lights filtered through the thin curtains, casting long shadows across the walls. It was peaceful here, in a way, and as I lay down on my bed, I couldn't help but feel that familiar sense of calm wash over me.