A TWIST OF FATE

CHAPTER 5 : AWKWARD ENCOUNTERS

The days slipped by in a blur of classes and camp memories, but the tension between Nex and me only seemed to grow. I tried my best to avoid him, employing a series of ridiculous tactics that only led to more awkward encounters.

One afternoon, I decided to take a different route to the library. As I rounded the corner, I nearly collided with Nex, who was coming from the opposite direction. Our eyes met, and for a brief second, time stood still. I stammered an awkward greeting and quickly darted away, feeling my cheeks flush.Later that week, during a group study session, I found myself seated next to him again. Every time I leaned in to whisper to my friend Joe, I accidentally brushed against Nex's arm. Each contact sent electric shocks through my body, making me feel both giddy and embarrassed. I tried to focus on the study materials, but the tension hung in the air like a thick fog.
It was during one of our breaks when I overheard Nex chatting with a group of classmates. He was animated, his laughter ringing out, and I couldn't help but glance over. The sight of him so carefree tugged at my heartstrings, pulling me closer despite my best efforts to stay distant.As I attempted to sneak away, I tripped over a backpack and stumbled right into his path. "Whoa, are you okay?" he asked, concern etched on his face. I nodded, trying to laugh it off, but my heart raced as he steadied me with a hand on my shoulder."Just graceful as always," I said, forcing a smile. The moment lingered, charged with unspoken words and emotions.
In the days that followed, I became determined to avoid him even more, but fate seemed to have other plans. During lunch, I deliberately sat at the far end of the cafeteria, only to find Nex walking over, tray in hand.

"Mind if I join you?" he asked, his eyes sparkling with mischief.
"Uh, sure!" I replied, trying to sound casual despite the rush of emotions swirling inside me. As he slid into the seat across from me, I felt a mix of dread and excitement.The conversation flowed easily, and with each shared laugh, I felt the boundaries I had set around my heart begin to dissolve. He talked about his favorite movies, and I found myself leaning forward, hanging onto his every word. The way he animatedly described a film made me forget about my resolve to keep my distance."Have you seen it?" he asked, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm."I, um, not yet," I stammered, slightly dazed by his presence. "But I've heard it's really good.""Let's watch it together then!" he suggested, his expression hopeful. The suggestion sent a wave of panic through me. I was caught in a whirlwind of emotions, torn between wanting to accept and fearing the consequences."Yeah, maybe," I replied, trying to play it cool while my heart raced.The Tipping PointAs the week wore on, every attempt I made to avoid Nex only seemed to draw us closer. I found myself caught in a cycle of awkwardness and attraction. Every accidental brush of hands, every shared glance felt loaded with meaning. I couldn't escape the reality that he was captivating me in ways I had never anticipated.One day after class, I thought I could take a shortcut through the campus garden—a peaceful escape from the chaos of student life. But there he was, sitting on a bench, sketching something in a notebook. The sight of him, absorbed in his art, took my breath away.I hesitated, debating whether to turn back or risk an encounter. Curiosity won out, and I approached him. "Hey, what are you working on?" I asked, trying to sound casual.Nex looked up, his face lighting up with a smile. "Just some ideas for a project. Want to see?" He turned the notebook toward me, revealing intricate sketches of landscapes and characters."Wow, you're really talented!" I exclaimed, genuinely impressed. We fell into an easy conversation about art and creativity, and for a moment, everything else faded away.But then, as we chatted, I felt the familiar tug of emotion pulling me closer to him. I wanted to lean in, to share more, but the fear of crossing a line held me back.The Final StrawThat evening, I decided to confide in Joe about the growing tension. We sat in our favorite coffee shop, the aroma of brewed coffee filling the air."Joe, I can't keep doing this," I sighed, burying my head in my hands. "Every time I try to avoid him, something pulls us together again.""He's obviously interested, you know," Joe replied, a teasing smile creeping onto his face. "Just embrace it! What's the worst that could happen?"I shot him a glare. "He has a girlfriend, Joe! I can't just ignore that.""Sure, but you can't ignore your feelings either. That's not fair to you," he said, leaning back in his chair, arms crossed. "You're going to drive yourself crazy."As I sipped my coffee, I felt the weight of my emotions pressing down on me. Joe was right; the more I tried to avoid Nex, the more complicated my feelings became. I realized I needed to confront this tension head-on, even if it terrified me.The Unexpected EncounterThe next day brought a surprise. As I walked through campus, I spotted Nex sitting alone on a bench, sketching again. My heart raced, but something inside me urged me to approach him."Mind if I join you?" I asked, my voice steadier than I felt."Of course!" he replied, his smile wide and inviting. I sat down, and we resumed our easy conversation, the air thick with unspoken feelings. Each laugh, each glance felt charged, and I couldn't shake the feeling that we were teetering on the edge of something significant.

But as the sun dipped lower in the sky, I knew I had to maintain my resolve. I had to find a way to navigate this growing attraction while respecting the boundaries I had set.

I went back to the dorm, study, finish my assignments and went to sleep.