Doppelgänger

Four

Azura's POV:

I didn't know how much more of this I could take. Chase was being his usual self—hovering, asking too many questions, and always in my space. I knew he meant well, but sometimes, it was just too much. Like now, as I stared down at my notes, trying to focus on the intricate details of human anatomy. Finals were just around the corner, and the last thing I needed was a distraction. I should've never told him about me going to the library for studying.

"Azura, are you sure you don't want a coffee?" Chase leaned in, his voice soft but persistent. I could feel his breath on my neck, and it took everything in me not to flinch.

"I'm fine, Chase," I muttered, trying to sound calm. The library was dead quiet, and even our whispered conversation felt too loud.

I kept my eyes on my textbook, hoping he would take the hint. But, of course, he didn't.

"Maybe you're overworking yourself," he added. I could hear the concern in his voice, but it only made me more irritated. "We've been here for almost three hours. You could use a break."

I looked up from my notes, my patience wearing thin. "I don't need a break, Chase. What I need is to focus."

His face fell, and for a second, I felt guilty. Chase had always been there for me—too much sometimes—but I couldn't deny that his clinginess had helped me through some rough patches. I sighed and ran a hand through my hair.

"I'm sorry," I said, softening my tone. "It's just... I'm stressed, okay? These finals are important, and I can't afford any distractions."

"I know, Azura," he said, his voice quieter now. "I just... I worry about you."

I shook my head, offering him a small smile. "You don't have to worry so much. I can take care of myself."

Chase sat back in his chair, looking down at the table. For a moment, it was quiet between us, just the sound of pages turning and the distant hum of the library's air conditioning. I thought that maybe he'd finally let it go, but then he spoke again.

"Azura," he started, his voice low, almost hesitant. "What if I told you that I... care about you? Like, really care about you."

I froze. My fingers tightened around my pen, and I glanced at him from the corner of my eye. He was staring down at the table, his face slightly flushed. This was exactly what I didn't need right now.

"Chase..."

He didn't look up, but I could hear the tremor in his voice. "I know I'm clingy. I know I'm too much sometimes. But it's because I care, Azura. I've always cared."

There it was. The confession I had been avoiding for months. I had known Chase had feelings for me, but I had hoped he would never say it out loud. Now that he had, I wasn't sure how to respond.

I set my pen down and turned to face him fully. "Chase, I—"

Before I could finish, the librarian shot us a glare from behind the desk, her finger pressed to her lips in a harsh shush. I bit my lip, trying not to laugh at the absurdity of it all. Here I was, in the middle of one of the most stressful study sessions of my life, and Chase had just dropped a bomb on me in the quietest place imaginable.

"Let's not do this here," I whispered, glancing around at the few other students scattered across the library.

He looked hurt, but he nodded. "Yeah. Sorry. I didn't mean to make things awkward."

I wanted to say something reassuring, something to ease the tension between us, but my mind was a blur of thoughts. I didn't know how to handle this—didn't know if I wanted to handle it. There was too much going on already, too much at stake.