ENTANGLED HEARTS

with a gr

Studies elective late, expecti

had swi

"Ava Brooks, you'll be working wit

cou

niverse would pl

at beside him. But she could feel his presence l

he said

Then returned a

gre

hat evening in t

kes, no teasing. Just lapto

nce was filled

lling through articles. "Are

We don't have to be f

ore than it

d. Then, quieter, "But it'd be nice to n

de her

ime in months, thei

her

her look

session was

rel

te, still remembered. She didn

e project, and when she rolled her e

n," he said un

at him. "

lips t

e haunted him for th

ything. It's just sc

had its own

and hesitant-was begi

for him again, s

ever real

session, Liam surprised

l he stopped at th

t how to say this," he began,

fr

exactly?"

For not explaining everything. Fo

ng p

ared a

still haven't

cared. That you'd see all

them," she said

tween them like

ded, "Until

ed to go

va vente

But part of me feels like

her part?"

part... still cares. Eve

't look at anyone else like h

on't know if I can tr

of the classroom, presenting th

ent. But every time Ava spoke, he gl

him doing it once, s

professor complimen

ween passion and r

onded. But t

and re

ed exactly

tairs to the old rooftop for the f

dn't k

the stars still

expect him

quietly, hoodie on,

. "I didn't think you'

think you

le

sat bes

ouch

clara

er the stars that hadn't ch

t maybe... tha

iam together, something cracked in

ssive. Liam forced a n

le, his hand clen

im civility. She

he library later that wee

hat alone felt

cross from

tween them l

d. Liam

ine. You take the visuals. I'll handle the

ded. "

"You're still the

lattery doesn't wo

mile. "Wasn't fla

ange, but for the first time, she

st crack

ing was better. N

lide and Ava, frustrated,

ast I don't make every title so

be

-lau

laug

Unfil

ould stop it. And for a mom

could be funny

our laugh sounds," h

nce

ime, it di

her back. To his su

g air was

k about how weird

ha

never talking... to ev

ed. "Eve

you have changed it?

en said, "No. But I would've

ne hit

serve

n't walk faste

as som

session, he brough

it down in front of h

is doesn't mean

d. "Just...

ped it

e intimate than a

Camila, notic

one evening while folding laundr

t need t

of. It's c

d up. "Do yo

blink. "Al

screw it u

now. "I don't think

"Then make th

on day, somet

e at the front of the

Ava spoke passionately about digital empathy, L

le, "Connection only matters if it's

r the class

idn't

nodded

he s

the door after

ob," sh

u t

ilence

d," Liam added soft

slow. "So be honest. What

chance to show I'

whisper. "And what if I don't

'll keep showing you. Ev

e, she didn't wal

ht, Ava climbe

why-habit, nosta

here

ie drawn up. The city light

nk you'd be h

t think

y side. Close,

d at the s

aw me?" s

rassed. Just turned

was

Not polishe

ed at it

ed at h

eft my head. Even wh

idn't

dn't n

he stayed