UNRAVELED

2

I don't know why I came out here. It's not like I needed the extra walk. but I just...I don't know, needed to breathe. Theta's throwing a party tonight, and sure, I'll be there, looking the part and pretending I care. but before all that? I needed this moment to myself.

I weave through the crowd of students, the sun's setting turning the sky a soft orange. I breathe it in, letting the warm air settle my nerves. I've done this a thousand times before- put on the act, I just want to shake it off, to stop pretending.

I need space, quiet. just for one second.

I end up in one of the quieter corners of campus, near the library. Hardly anyone comes this way unless they're cutting through. The benches out here are mostly empty, and I love the stillness. it feels like a part of the campus untouched by all the chaos.

And then I see him.

At first, I almost miss him, sitting there, leaning back on the stone bench like he couldn't care less about the world around him. There's something about him that feels....off. Different. He's not like the guys I usually see hanging around. There's no easy smile, no cocky charm.

He looks relaxes, but there's a tension to him, like he could spring up any second. His eyes are downcast, watching his hands as they too with something- a pen, maybe? A lighter? I can't quite tell from here

I freeze, my eyes lingering on him longer than they should. It's not that he's incredibly tall or loud or anything that should make him stand out, but something about him pulls my gaze like a magnet. He's quiet. Reserved.

There's this edge to him. His dark hair falls just over his eyes, and his clothes are simple, nothing flashy but there's this confidence in the way he carries himself, like he doesn't need anyone's approval, I glanced again. There's an ink peeking out from under his sleeves. A tattoo. Huh. Definitely not the type of guy I usually hang out with. But then, maybe that's the point.

I catch a glimpse of his face as he leans back, eyes flicking up from whatever he's holding. his gave meets mine- just for a moment and my breath catches. His eyes are sharp, a deep green, the kind of green that makes you want to keep looking, searching for whatever's hiding underneath. And then it's gone. He blinks, and I break the stare, suddenly too aware of myself.

But even as I finally take a step, I hear his voice. Deep, quiet, almost like he's unsure if he should speak at all.

"You're staring"

my heart does this weird flip. He noticed? and he actually said something?

"I wasn't staring," I say, a little too quickly. My voice sounds more defensive than I meant it to. I cringe internally. God Lila, play it cool. "I mean... maybe I was. Just a little"

He raises an eyebrow, his lips tugging into this half-smile, like he's amused by my awkwardness. "Just a little, huh?"

There's that edge again. He's shy, but not in a way that makes him retreat. More like he's choosing when to speak and what to say, carefully. like he doesn't waste words on just anyone.

I take a few steps toward the bench, not sure what's pulling me in but unable to stop.

"What are you doing out here?"

He shrugs, his gaze dropping back to his hands. He's holding a lighter. Just flicking the flame on and off, like it's a habit. "Same as you, I guess. Avoiding people."

I blink. "Im not avoiding anyone."

That earns me another smirk. It's lazy, a little teasing, but not in an obnoxious way.

"Really?" You walked all the way over here to what? Take in the scenery?"

"I like it here," I say, crossing my arms over my chest. I don't know why I'm suddenly defensive around this guy. " It's quiet"

"Exactly." He leans forward a little, resting his elbows on his knees. "Too many people pretending they're something they're not out there."

I open my mouth to respond, but his words hit a little close to home.

He looks up at me again, and this time, his expression is serious. "You don't have to pretend, you know?"

I clear my throat, forcing myself to snap out of it. " I wasn't pretending."

He shrugs again, standing up and shoving his hands into his pockets. "if you say so."

Before I can respond, he gives me a nod, like that's the end of the conversation, and starts walking away, leaving me standing there with about a thousands questions.

who is this guy?