Between us

Chapter four

Aditi

It was a chilly morning at Blue Ridge. I woke up earlier. Partly because I wanted to go study in the library and partly because I wanted to see Summer run. I put on my brown sweater and my tiny white skirt. Daphne was still asleep when I left. So, I tried my best to not wake her up, which was hard with these squeaking floors but somehow, I managed.

As I was walking out the dorms Tai stopped me. He was Daphne's friend.

"Is Daphne up yet? We were supposed to go grab breakfast together." He looked at me like a worried duck. "Last time I checked she was sleeping like a baby but go see yourself." I handed him my keys. "You're a lifesaver Aditi!" He smiled and ran up the stairs. "But give them back, Okay?" I waited for a response. "Okay!"

I walked through the park to the track field. There she was. Not a single care in the world, just running. Her long legs and a messy ponytail made her look dignified. She seemed so motivated. She was really fast, like I've probably never seen anything like this. The air was cold but something bout' her would've made me stay for hours. I sat there for a couple of minutes, watching her, admiring her until she noticed me.

She walked up to me smiling. "Hey." I smiled back "Hello there." She was out of breath and sweaty, it made her look even better for some reason. "I was just on my way to the library. I was thinking if you maybe wanted to hang out after school?" My voice shaking. I then added: "You know. We can work on the project or something."

She answered right away. "Yeah, sure, that would be nice." "Cool." I said. I probably sounded like a middle school boy trying to ask a girl out.

"Could I get your number?" "What?" I got lost looking at her lethal face. "Well, I just thought it would be easier than sending a pigeon." -She chuckled. "Yeah, no definitely. I agree." I handed her my phone.

After a bit she gave it back. I could see how cold she was. Her lips almost purple. I started undoing my scarf as she stood there shivering. "Here." I said as I tied it around her. It was big and fluffy, so she looked like a baby penguin. She smiled "Thank you."

When I got to the library it was dead silent, so I got some time to study before my classes started.

Summer: heyyyy

Aditi: hi

Summer: so where should we do the project?

Aditi: Idk I still don't really know all the places here

Summer: Oh yeah

Summer: I forgot lol

Aditi: So the library

Summer: Meet me there in 10

The library was nearly empty, with just a faint hum from the fluorescent lights and the distant sound of footsteps from the librarian organizing books in the back. We'd taken over a table near the window. I glanced over at Summer, who was flipping through her textbook, brow furrowed in concentration.

"So, metaphase," she said, glancing up at me, her green eyes catching the light in a way that made my stomach do this little flip. I felt myself smile, a little nervous.

"Right, metaphase." I tried to focus, glancing down at my notes. "That's the phase where the chromosomes line up in the middle, right?"

She nodded, a grin spreading across her face. "Yep, exactly. They line up at the metaphase plate, like... they're all queuing up for something." She laughed softly, and it was one of those laughs that was contagious—I couldn't help but join in.

"Honestly, they're way more organized than I am," I said, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear, feeling a little silly but relieved when she smiled back.

"Yeah, but you're better company," she replied, almost absentmindedly. Her face flushed the tiniest bit as if she hadn't meant to say it out loud, and she quickly looked back at her notes.

The air between us felt warmer, and I couldn't help stealing a glance at her. "So, I saw you run today, you were awesome." I said, hoping to keep the conversation going. "I mean, it sounds intense, but... I like watching you."

She looked up, and a small smile tugged at her lips. "There's a meet next week—nothing serious, just the local one. But, I mean, if you wanted to, you could... be there." Her voice grew softer at the end, and I felt myself nodding before I could even think of a response.

"I'd love to," I said, barely more than a whisper, feeling my cheeks heat up.

For a few seconds, the library was silent again, the quiet between us somehow filled with so much I didn't know how to say. I focused back on the notes, my fingers nervously tracing over the cell diagrams. "So... after metaphase, we get anaphase," I murmured, though I couldn't help but glance at her again. "You know, for a project on cells, this is turning out to be... kind of fun."

She looked at me, and the seriousness in her eyes softened. "Maybe it's the company," she said quietly, a little smile playing at the corner of her lips.I couldn't help but smile back, feeling the warmth in my cheeks spreading.

For a project on cell division, I was learning a lot more about chemistry than I'd bargained for.

A/N: Hello everyone! It's crazy we already had 12 reads, guess you guys like it so far but I promise the best is yet to come. I will try to post consistently from now on, most likely a chapter a day. I don't know if I'll manage to keep up but I will try my best. I would love to hear your thoughts on the story so don't be shy to do so! xoxo