The morning sun spilled into the Education building, scattering golden light across the tiled floors. Students shuffled in with heavy bags, the air filled with a blend of yawns, chatter, and the clatter of footsteps.
Jade sat in his classroom near the window, his pen tapping absently against the margin of his notebook. His friends filtered in one by one Aizen with his usual stack of books, Skyler neatly organizing his notes, and Blake stumbling in dramatically late, hair sticking up like he had wrestled with his pillow and lost.
“Quiz today,” Aizen reminded, his tone neutral as he adjusted his glasses.
“Don’t say those cursed words before I’ve even had coffee,” Blake groaned, slumping into the seat beside Jade.
Skyler chuckled softly. “You’re hopeless.”
Their banter filled the room as usual, but Jade’s focus drifted elsewhere. His mind replayed yesterday the cafeteria, Danielle’s laughter mixing so effortlessly with his friends’, and that moment outside when Danielle had stepped closer, thanking him in a voice that lingered even now.
“Jade,” Skyler’s voice pulled him back. “You okay?”
He blinked. “Huh? Yeah. Just… tired.”
Skyler studied him for a moment, then nodded without pressing further. But Jade knew his friend wasn’t fooled. Skyler noticed everything.
The quiz passed quickly though Blake nearly cried at the essay portion and by lunch, the group spilled out of the Education building again.
“Let’s hit the cafeteria,” Blake announced.
But before anyone could respond, a familiar voice called out from across the courtyard.
“Jade!”
The group turned. Danielle jogged over, his white MedTech uniform crisp in the sun. His smile was bright, unguarded, as though the weight of exams and deadlines couldn’t touch him.
Blake’s grin turned wolfish immediately. “Well, well. Look who’s back.”
“Don’t,” Jade hissed under his breath, but Blake ignored him as always.
Danielle slowed when he reached them, catching his breath lightly. “Are you free after classes? I was hoping… maybe we could study together.”
The words hit Jade like a stone tossed into still water, rippling through him. His first instinct was to refuse studying alone was easier, safer. But before he could form the words, Blake clapped him on the shoulder.
“Perfect idea! Jade totally needs it. He acts like he’s smart but really, he’s dying inside before every exam.”
Jade gaped. “Blake!”
Danielle laughed, the sound warm. “Then it’s settled. After classes?”
Skyler gave Jade a gentle, knowing smile. “Sounds good.”
Even Aizen nodded curtly, as though granting silent approval.
And just like that, the decision was made.
The library was quieter than usual that afternoon. Sunlight streamed through tall windows, casting soft patterns across the tables. The smell of old paper and polished wood filled the air, grounding Jade even as his nerves tightened.
Danielle sat across from him, spreading out anatomy charts and thick textbooks. Jade arranged his English notes carefully, though his eyes kept flicking to Danielle despite himself.
“So,” Danielle said, leaning forward slightly. “How do you usually study? Flashcards? Group discussions?”
“Mostly… notes. Rereading.” Jade’s voice was soft, almost apologetic.
“Hmm.” Danielle tapped his pen thoughtfully. “Efficient. But I bet you overwork yourself.”
Jade blinked. “What makes you say that?”
Danielle smiled knowingly. “Call it instinct.”
Something in Jade’s chest twisted at the ease in his tone. He looked down quickly, focusing on his open notebook.
They studied in companionable silence for a while, the only sounds the rustle of pages and the scratch of pens. Every so often, Danielle would lean across to point something out, his arm brushing Jade’s. Each accidental touch sent heat crawling up Jade’s neck.
At one point, Danielle chuckled softly to himself.
“What?” Jade asked, wary.
“You’re so serious,” Danielle said, eyes dancing. “Like every word in that notebook is life or death.”
“It matters,” Jade said quietly. “Grades. Future.”
Danielle tilted his head, his expression softening. “True. But don’t forget—you’re allowed to breathe too.”
The words lingered in the quiet air, heavier than they seemed. Jade lowered his gaze, not trusting himself to respond.
Two hours passed before Blake came crashing into the library with Skyler and Aizen trailing behind.
“There you are!” Blake announced far too loudly. “We thought you got kidnapped by a MedTech cult.”
“Shh,” Aizen hissed, smacking the back of his head with a book.
Skyler offered an apologetic smile to the glaring librarian.
Danielle laughed quietly, shaking his head. “Your friends are… lively.”
Jade groaned, covering his face with his hand.
“Come on,” Blake said, dragging out a chair. “Group study! Let’s make this a party.”
And just like that, their quiet session transformed. Blake’s antics filled the space, Skyler patiently explained complicated passages, Aizen corrected everyone with his sharp tongue, and Danielle blended into the chaos seamlessly.
Through it all, Jade found himself stealing glances at Danielle—watching the way he leaned forward when Skyler spoke, the way his laughter rang genuine at Blake’s jokes, the way his eyes seemed to flick to Jade every so often, just to make sure he was still there.
It was dangerous. It was reckless. And Jade knew he should have pulled back.
But he didn’t.
By the time the group finally packed up, the sky outside had deepened into shades of indigo. The campus quieted, students trickling out in pairs and groups.
Jade walked beside Danielle as they left the library. Their friends were a few steps ahead, Blake still recounting some exaggerated story about a professor’s glare.
“Thanks for today,” Danielle said softly, his voice meant only for Jade.
Jade glanced at him, startled. “I didn’t do anything.”
“You stayed,” Danielle said simply. His gaze lingered, steady and unguarded. “That’s enough.”
The sincerity in his tone struck something deep inside Jade—something equal parts hope and fear. He opened his mouth, but the words tangled in his throat.
Danielle didn’t press. He just smiled, small and genuine, before walking a little faster to catch up with the others.
Jade slowed, his steps faltering, the weight of the moment pressing against his ribs.
Because for the first time in a long while, he wasn’t afraid of failing a test, or disappointing his professors, or even of the sickness that shadowed him in secret.
No.
What terrified him most now… was the thought of what Danielle might come to mean.
And how little time he might have to hold onto it.
ns216.73.216.134da2
and then Add to home screen.