To Be With You : Beneath Your Paradise

Chapter Ten

                          Anastasia
                          🍋 𓍯𓂃𓏧

The library air still clung faintly to us as Eden and I step out into the cool evening. The rain from earlier stopped, but the pavement was still glistening like a mirror, reflecting the lamplight in gold streaks.

For a while, neither of us say anything,just the sound of our steps on wet concrete, our breaths soft in the quiet.

Then Eden glances sideways at me.
"So," he asks, "are you into anything fun outside of studying?"

My hand instinctively moves to my prosthetic arm, thumb brushing over the smooth surface. I hesitate.
"I... used to do something like performing arts."

His brow arches slightly. "Oh yeah? What kind?"

I shake my head lightly, letting out a small laugh that didn't quite reach my eyes. "It's not important." I didn't want to say ballet. Not if it meant answering why I stopped.

We walk another few steps before I slow to a stop.
"I think I'm gonna head to my dorm from here." I look at him, managing a small smile. "Thanks for today. It was... fun."

Eden steps in front of me, stopping me from walking past. His hand lands gently on the top of my head in a light, almost brotherly gesture.
"No problem," he says, voice warm. "We should do it again sometime soon."

I was just about to step around him when he suddenly went, "Ah!wait."
He pulls out his phone, holding it out toward me. "Your number."

I blink. "My number?"

"Yes," he chuckles "Who else?" He looks at me with that easy, unbothered expression, phone still out like he wasn't going to move until I cave.

I glance at his phone, then at him, feeling heat creep into my face.
"We've been around each other for a while now," he continues, his tone steady but kind. "And we're going to see each other often. Plus..." his lips curves "we just hung out together today, technically. So I thought getting your number wouldn't be a bad idea. Hm?"

He leans in slightly, his smile warm enough to melt my hesitation. I find myself mirroring it, nodding, and taking his phone. I type in my number, the tap of my fingers sounding too loud in my ears, then hand it back.

"Thank you," he says with a little tilt of his head. "I'll see you on Friday."

"Mhm." I lift my hand in an awkward wave.

He waves back before drifting away down the path, his figure slowly blending into the night.

I let out a breath I hadn't realized I've been holding and pulling my bag tightly against my side.

By the time I reach my dorm, the fluorescent light of the lobby felt too bright.

"You're back!"
A pair of arms loop around my own. I glance to my side to see Emily smiling as she walks with me toward the stairs.

"What's up with you and Eden?" she asks casually, though her eyes glittered with curiosity. "I've been seeing you two together a lot."

"It's nothing," I say quickly, heading for my room.

"You sure,I saw you both today earlier"

She pouts but follows me up the stairs. "They're having a party this Saturday. I heard from my other friend but it's invite-only. Unfortunately, I don't have one." She sighs dramatically. "It would've been so cool if I got one."

I fish through my bag for my keys, the metal clinking as I search faster.

"Oh, wait," she says suddenly, "did you get an invite? You're around Eden a lot, so I suppose you would have, maybe?"

My fingers finally closes around the keys. I slide one into the lock and pushed the door open.
"I don't know... I'll see you around," I said smiling at her before slipping inside.

She looks at me and waves slowly

The door clicks shut behind me, and I lean back against it, exhaling slowly.

What a day...