In the heart of Harvard, Alessia Gilmore is ready to embrace her second year and the independence it brings. After a summer spent reconnecting with friends and discovering herself, she's determined to step out of her twin sister Rory's shadow and ca...
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The knock at Riley and Alessia's door came just as she tossed her bag onto her bed, still settling in after a weekend with Logan. She rolled her eyes, smiling to herself, already knowing who it would be.
"Come in!" she called, kicking off her shoes as Riley opened the door, letting Beau and Avery inside.
"Look who I brought," Beau said, giving Alessia a quick hug before waving Avery further in.
Avery lingered by the door, glancing around like he was measuring how much of himself he was allowed to show. Alessia noticed his hesitation, the way he seemed to be sizing up the place, and softened her smile.
"Hey, Avery," she greeted warmly, genuinely happy to see him. "First time here, right?"
"Yeah," Avery replied, giving a small nod and a polite smile as his gaze flickered around the room - Riley's hockey sticks propped against the wall, Alessia's stack of books spread across the desk, a small mess of tea mugs by the window ledge.
"Welcome to the chaos," Riley said with a grin, pulling the door shut. "Grab a seat, get comfortable. You're in the right place if you need a break from, uh, Beau's chaos."
Avery laughed, moving to the armchair and settling in, a little more at ease. Beau took his usual spot on the couch, sprawling comfortably beside Riley, who sat close but kept a small, subtle distance. Alessia noticed the way Riley's hand hovered near Beau's arm, their glances passing so naturally that only someone who knew them would notice.
"So, how was the weekend?" Alessia asked, dropping onto the floor beside the coffee table.
Beau smirked, nudging Riley. "Uneventful, mostly. Except Riley here had a major crisis because he had to survive two whole days without his coffee."
Riley groaned, rolling his eyes. "You know how I get without my coffee. It was hell." He nudged Beau back with a grin, then, as if absentmindedly, let his knee brush against Beau's-a small, quick touch that went unnoticed by everyone but them.
Alessia smirked knowingly but didn't say a word. Instead, she turned to Avery. "How about you? Do anything exciting?"
Avery chuckled, seeming to relax further. "Uh, no, nothing wild. I mostly caught up on sleep...and tried not to set off the fire alarm making breakfast." He glanced at Beau with a grin. "Cooking's way more fun when it's not just for yourself."
Beau laughed, giving Riley a quick glance. "Well, I'm not complaining. The food in our dorm's never been better."
Riley grinned at Avery. "Good thing you're around. Beau needs someone to keep him in check with meals. I've seen him try to live off of takeout before."
"Hey!, I'll have you know my takeout choices are gourmet," Beau shot back, a mock offense in his tone. "Besides, I can totally cook. I just need a little inspiration-and maybe a little help to keep from burning things down."
Avery seemed to miss the quick glances and soft smiles between Beau and Riley, caught up in the flow of the group's banter. After a while, he looked over at Alessia, his smile easy and relaxed. "So, do either of you cook, or is that my new job now?"
Alessia chuckled, shaking her head. "You're the new cook here - neither of us trust ourselves with more than coffee and microwaved popcorn."
They all laughed, the warmth of the room settling around them as they swapped stories about the weekend and life on campus. Bit by bit, Avery opened up, sharing a few hockey stories that got Riley to laugh, his usual grumpy energy fading as he relaxed into the conversation.
As the night wore on, Beau and Riley exchanged a few more quick, quiet glances, a language all their own. Riley's hand brushed against Beau's as he adjusted his position, almost casual but with a comfort that spoke volumes. Alessia noticed it, but to her relief, Avery seemed more focused on fitting in than on piecing together their subtle signs.
Eventually, as Beau and Avery got up to head out, Avery paused by the door, glancing back with a small, genuine smile. "This was fun. We should do it again sometime."
"Definitely ," Alessia said, giving him a warm smile. "Consider this place open any time."
After the door closed behind them, Alessia exchanged a look with Riley, who gave her a knowing grin. It felt like the circle had grown a bit closer tonight, with Avery starting to fit in, finding his place.
