The announcement for the design school’s upcoming exhibition echoed in the main hall, the Dean’s voice buzzing with excitement. Maya tapped her pencil against her notebook as the details blurred into the background. Her mind, however, was on Aiden and their rooftop escapades.
By the time she reached the cafeteria, her phone buzzed with a text:
**Aiden**: *Are you free this evening?*
**Maya**: *Define "free."*
**Aiden**: *As in, do you have plans that don’t involve sketching?*
**Maya**: *...Maybe. Why?*
**Aiden**: *Meet me at the coffee shop by the park. 5 PM. Don’t be late.*
Maya chuckled, shaking her head. Aiden’s newfound confidence amused her. She fired back a quick *“Fine, but you’re buying.”*
---
The coffee shop was warm and cozy, a stark contrast to the chill of the autumn evening. Maya pushed the door open to find Aiden seated in the corner, his hoodie slightly oversized and his hands wrapped around a steaming cup.
“You’re early,” she said, sliding into the seat across from him.
“And you’re late,” he replied with a smirk.
“I’m not!” she protested, pulling out her phone to check the time. She blinked. “Okay, fine, maybe a little.”
Aiden chuckled and pushed a cup toward her. “Hot chocolate. I figured you’d want one.”
Maya arched a brow. “Not coffee?”
“Coffee makes you jittery. Remember last week? You couldn’t stop pacing during class.”
Maya stared at him, a little taken aback by his observation. “You notice a lot about me, don’t you?”
Aiden shrugged, a faint blush creeping up his neck. “Maybe.”
They sipped their drinks in comfortable silence, the hum of conversations and the hiss of the espresso machine filling the air.
“So,” Aiden began, setting his cup down. “The exhibition. Are you submitting anything?”
Maya groaned. “Don’t remind me. I have a hundred sketches, but nothing feels... finished.”
“That’s because you’re a perfectionist,” Aiden said with a grin. “But your work doesn’t have to be perfect to be brilliant.”
Maya rolled her eyes, but a small smile tugged at her lips. “Easy for you to say. What about you? Are you submitting anything?”
Aiden hesitated. “I’ve been working on something. A model of a sustainable building. It’s nothing fancy, though.”
“Show me,” Maya demanded, leaning forward.
“Not yet,” he said, shaking his head. “It’s not ready.”
“Ugh, you’re such a tease,” Maya huffed, crossing her arms.
Aiden laughed, his shyness momentarily forgotten. “And you’re impatient. Bad combo.”
---
After finishing their drinks, Aiden led Maya to the park nearby. The sky was painted in shades of lavender and gold, the sun sinking slowly behind the trees.
“So, what’s the plan?” Maya asked, stuffing her hands into her jacket pockets.
“No plan,” Aiden replied. “I just thought it’d be nice to walk and... talk.”
Maya raised a brow. “That’s it? No grand gestures? No serenades under the moonlight?”
“Would you prefer that?” Aiden shot back, his tone playful.
“Maybe,” Maya said with a grin. “But this is fine too.”
As they strolled along the path, they fell into easy conversation. Maya told Aiden about her childhood dream of becoming an artist, and he shared his love for designing spaces that could transform people’s lives.
“You know,” Aiden said after a while, “I never thought I’d meet someone like you.”
“Someone like me?” Maya echoed, tilting her head.
“Yeah,” Aiden said, his voice softer now. “Someone who makes me feel like it’s okay to be myself. Like I don’t have to try so hard.”
Maya’s steps faltered for a moment, her heart skipping a beat. “That’s funny,” she said, her voice equally soft. “Because you make me feel the same way.”
---
As they reached the edge of the park, the streetlights flickered on, casting a warm glow over the scene. Aiden paused and turned to Maya, his hands fidgeting nervously.
“There’s one more thing,” he said, pulling something out of his pocket.
Maya’s eyes widened as he held up a tiny, hand-carved charm. It was shaped like a rooftop, complete with a miniature slide-like design.
“I made this for you,” Aiden said quickly, his cheeks turning red. “It’s... silly, but I thought you might like it.”
Maya took the charm, her fingers brushing against his. She examined it closely, her heart swelling.
“It’s perfect,” she whispered.
Aiden let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. “Really?”
Maya looked up at him, her eyes shining. “Really. Thank you, Aiden.”
He smiled, the kind of smile that made her stomach flutter.
“Come on,” Maya said, tugging on his sleeve. “I’m hungry. Let’s grab dinner.”
As they walked toward the nearest food stall, Maya glanced down at the charm in her hand, her heart filled with a warmth she couldn’t quite explain.
It was just a charm, just a moment, but somehow, it felt like the beginning of something much bigger.
YOU ARE READING
Beneath the Shattered Sky
Lãng mạnIn the heart of a bustling city, Maya finds herself caught between two worlds-one filled with passion, secrets, and betrayal, and another yearning for freedom and clarity. When she meets Aiden, the charming but mysterious boy from her design school...
