The university buzzed with students, chatter, and the occasional bell ringing through the corridors. Eira had just finished her lecture and stepped out into the campus courtyard when she spotted someone leaning casually against a tree.
Auren.
He looked relaxed, a textbook in one hand and a lazy grin curling at his lips. Eira's heart did that little leap again.
"Fancy seeing you here," he said.
"I do study here, you know," she replied with a smirk.
They fell into step, walking side by side toward the canteen. The conversation flowed easily, as it always did between them—books, professors, memes, and Luna's newest trick.
But their peaceful moment was interrupted by a loud voice.
"Yo, Auren!"
A guy with sharp features and a confident aura jogged over to them. He was tall, slightly tanned, with messy dark hair and an easy-going smile.
"Eira, meet Ryan," Auren said. "One of my oldest friends."
Ryan gave her a warm smile. "So this is the famous author I keep hearing about."
Eira raised an eyebrow. "He talks about me?"
Auren cleared his throat. "Just your book."
Ryan chuckled, then suddenly looked thoughtful. "Wait, Eira… your friend isn't named Loira, is she?"
Eira blinked. "Yeah… why?"
Ryan rubbed the back of his neck and looked sheepish. "I think I might have a crush on her."
Both Eira and Auren stared at him.
"You what?" Eira nearly dropped her drink.
"I saw her once when you were hanging out near the fountain. She's… wow," Ryan said, grinning. "I didn't know how to ask."
Eira exchanged a glance with Auren, a silent agreement forming in that instant.
---
Convincing Loira was the real challenge.
"I'm not going on some fake date," Loira huffed, arms crossed.
"But Ryan's a good guy!" Eira pleaded. "Just one outing. We'll all be there. Double date style. Totally casual."
Loira narrowed her eyes. "You sure this isn't some elaborate scheme to get me kidnapped?"
Eira laughed nervously. "I promise, it's not."
After a lot of persuasion, Loira finally relented. "Fine. But only because you're coming with me."
Eira blushed slightly. "Yeah… it's just to help them, right? Nothing else. Totally not a date-date. Right?"
Auren smirked when she repeated it out loud. "Right."
---
They started with a movie.
It was an emotional drama, and despite her best efforts, Eira couldn't stop the tears from spilling during the climax. When she turned to wipe her eyes, she saw Ryan sniffling too.
Loira blinked in disbelief. "You two are such crybabies."
Auren leaned over and whispered, "Should we get tissues for the emotional support club?"
Eira elbowed him gently, still laughing through her tears.
Afterward, they headed to a nearby park. They walked under the rustling trees, shared snacks, and played on the swings like kids again. The laughter came easily, and even Loira seemed more relaxed around Ryan, throwing him playful comments that made him visibly blush.
Their final stop was the beach.
The sun was beginning to lower, casting a warm glow over the waves. The tide rolled in slowly, brushing the sand with lazy strokes.
"Come swim!" Loira shouted, already tugging off her shoes.
Ryan joined her, sprinting to the water.
Eira turned to Auren. "You're not coming?"
He shook his head. "I know how to swim. I just don't like doing it when there are too many people around."
Eira tilted her head. "Fair enough."
They watched the others play in the water from a distance, their feet buried in the warm sand.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink, Ryan returned with the idea of a BBQ.
They gathered firewood, found a safe spot, and began grilling snacks. Laughter echoed across the beach as they shared stories and teased each other.
Eira offered to get drinks for everyone. "Be right back!"
But as time passed, she didn't return.
First ten minutes.
Then fifteen.
Worried, Auren stood up. "I'm going to find her."
Ryan nodded, sensing his concern. "I'll check the other side."
Auren searched near the beachside shops and finally found her.
Eira was curled up on a bench, her arms wrapped around the drink bag, her head tilted to the side. She had fallen asleep.
Relief washed over him.
He pulled out his phone and texted the others.
Found her. She's okay.
He looked at her sleeping face for a moment. Her hair was slightly tousled, cheeks soft with sleep, lips parted just a little.
Then he smiled.
Gently, he picked her up on his back, balancing the drinks in one hand. Her arms loosely wrapped around his shoulders in her half-asleep state.
Halfway back to the beach, she stirred.
"Auren?"
"Hey," he said softly. "You fell asleep. I was about to let you sleep through dinner."
Eira's eyes widened slightly as she realized what was happening. Her face turned crimson.
"I-I can walk now," she whispered, trying to move.
But Auren didn't stop. "It's okay. Let me carry you a little longer."
She went quiet, resting her cheek against his shoulder.
And in that quiet, with the stars beginning to appear above them, neither of them said a word about how natural it felt to be this close.
Because maybe… just maybe… it wasn't just about helping Ryan and Loira anymore.