Shades of Desire

Ivy

I sat on the edge of my bed, sunlight spilling through the window and warming my skin. It had been almost a month since the accident, and with Ethan by my side, I felt stronger. He'd taken care of me in ways I never imagined anyone could. I took a deep breath, my heart racing as I turned to him, sitting on the floor with his notes sprawled around him.

"Ethan," I said, my voice steady, "I think I can go back to school now."

He looked up, surprise crossing his face. "Are you sure? You don't have to rush."

A smile crept onto my lips. "I know. But I miss my friends, and I miss you. I want to be back in class."

His expression softened, and I could see the pride in his eyes. "If you feel ready, then that's what matters. We can tackle this semester together."

"Thanks," I said, my heart swelling at his support. "It means a lot to me."

"Always," he replied, grinning. "You know I've got your back."

The days passed, and as I settled back into my routine, we spent countless hours in the library. It became our little haven, filled with the sound of turning pages and soft whispers. I loved the way we made studying feel more like an adventure. Sitting next to him at a long table, I watched as he scribbled notes, his brow furrowed in concentration.

"Hey," I nudged him gently, pulling him out of his focus. "How about a break?"

He looked up, a smile breaking across his face. "I could use one. What do you have in mind?"

I leaned closer, my heart racing at the closeness. "Let's go grab some coffee. I'll even let you pick the worst drink on the menu."

He chuckled, shaking his head. "You're on. But I have to warn you, my taste is questionable."

As we made our way to the café, I felt a flutter of excitement. Moments like this reminded me of why I was fighting to get back to normal. The chatter of students, the smell of coffee, and Ethan's easy laughter made me feel alive again.

After our break, we returned to the library, diving back into our books. I watched him intently, admiring how he focused, his hand moving quickly across the page as he jotted down notes. There was something comforting about the way we shared this space, the little glances and the occasional brush of our hands sending sparks between us.

"So, Ivy," he said, breaking the silence. "Are you nervous about the exams?"

"A little," I admitted. "But I feel more prepared than I thought I would. I have you to help me."

He shot me a teasing smile. "That's right! I'm your personal tutor now."

I laughed, feeling lighter than I had in weeks. "Just promise not to let me fail, okay?"

"Never," he replied, his voice warm. "You're too smart for that."

As the days rolled on, I realized how much I appreciated these moments with Ethan. They weren't just about studying; they were about being together and leaning on each other. I felt safe, like nothing could tear us apart.

Finally, as we wrapped up our last study session before exams, I turned to him, my heart racing. "Ethan, thanks for everything. I couldn't have done this without you."

He smiled softly, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. "I'll always be here for you, Ivy. No matter what."

I took a deep breath, the weight of everything lifting just a little. I felt ready to face whatever came next—together.