Unwritten Chemistry

We're not alike

Malia's POV

Monday starts off slow for me, even though I feel like it should've flown by after how great yesterday was. I lie in bed for a while, replaying the date with Kylie over and over in my head. The way she made me laugh, how she was so considerate and thoughtful... It's been a while since I've felt this warm about someone.

I can't stop smiling.

Eventually, I get up and try to focus on my usual Monday routine—getting to class, going through notes, pretending like my brain isn't stuck on everything about last night. I barely manage to get through my first lecture, though. I'm distracted. My mind keeps wandering back to the way Kylie smiled at me, how she casually called me "Mia" and how it made my heart skip a beat.

No one calls me that except Ivory, and it's a nickname that's always felt really personal, like something just for me. But when Kylie said it, it didn't feel weird or too familiar. It felt... right. It felt like she was slowly becoming someone I wanted to let in, someone I could trust with the parts of me I usually keep tucked away.

By the time I get out of my second class, I check my phone to see if Kylie's texted me. There's nothing yet, but I'm not worried. I know we've got that project meeting later, so I send her a quick message.

Me:
Morning, babe :) Hope you didn't forget we've got that project meeting today. See you at 3?

She responds almost immediately, and I can't help but smile at her enthusiasm.

Kylie:
Morning, baby. Wouldn't miss it. Can't wait to see you! <3

I feel a little flutter in my chest, and I tuck my phone away, trying to focus on my day. I've still got class and a ton of reading to catch up on, but the thought of seeing her later makes it all feel a little easier.

When 3 p.m. rolls around, I'm already at the library, sitting by the window where I like to study. I'm staring out at campus, watching people walk by, when I hear Kylie's voice behind me.

- Hey, you.

I turn and smile at her. She looks so comfortable, so effortlessly herself, and I feel a wave of warmth wash over me.

- Hey.

For the next hour, we work on our project, though it's hard to stay focused with her sitting so close. Every now and then, we brush hands reaching for the same notebook, or she leans over to show me something on her laptop, and I can feel my pulse quicken.

It's strange—before Kylie, I never really thought of myself as someone who gets caught up in little moments like this. But now, I'm noticing everything. The way she laughs softly at something funny I say, or the way her eyes linger on me for just a second longer than necessary. It feels like something between us is growing, even if we're still just working on a project.

After we're done, she stretches, and I can't help but watch as she leans back in her chair, so effortlessly confident.

- Well, I think we've earned a break. - She says with a grin.

- Definitely. I didn't realize how much work we had. - I laugh, closing my laptop.

She glances at me, an easy smile on her face.

- You up for grabbing some coffee?

I nod, feeling a little flutter of excitement.

- Yeah, that sounds nice.

We leave the library and head to the coffee shop, and it's amazing how natural it feels, walking next to her. Like we've done this a hundred times before. She orders her usual matcha latte, and I get my pumpkin spice latte, as always.