Between Us Chapter 1: something more

The morning air was crisp as Sophie walked across campus, her hands wrapped tightly around a cup of coffee. Autumn leaves crunched beneath her boots, painting the ground in shades of amber and red. Students hurried past her, but she moved at her own pace, savoring the rare quiet before her first class.

She reached their usual bench near the old oak tree — their spot — and sat down. The breeze tugged at the loose strands of her hair as she opened her laptop, preparing for her literature notes.

“You’re early for once.”

She looked up, her lips curling into a smile. Caleb stood there, slightly out of breath, his backpack slung over one shoulder. His dark hair was tousled, as if he’d just rolled out of bed — which, knowing him, he probably had.

“I’m always early,” she teased.

Caleb scoffed, sitting beside her. “You’re early for you. That still counts as late for most people.”

She laughed, her eyes dancing. “Did you at least bring peace offerings?”

Without a word, he reached into his bag and pulled out a muffin, handing it to her. She raised an eyebrow but took it, breaking off a piece.

“See?” he said. “I know how to survive.”

Sophie shook her head, amused. This was them — the banter, the comfort, the familiarity. They’d been friends since high school, sticking together even after ending up at the same university. It was easy between them. Always had been.

Yet, lately, something felt different. She couldn’t pinpoint when it started — the way her stomach fluttered when he smiled, or how her heart sped up when their hands brushed accidentally. Maybe it was always there, buried beneath years of friendship.

“So,” he said, pulling out his camera, “Photography club’s recruiting new members. Thinking about joining.”

“You should,” Sophie encouraged. “Your photos are amazing.”

He glanced at her, holding her gaze for a second longer than usual. She felt her face grow warm but quickly looked down at her laptop.

“Thanks,” Caleb murmured, his voice softer now.

For a moment, neither spoke. The silence wasn’t awkward, but charged — filled with words neither dared to say aloud.

“Hey, Sophie?”

She looked back at him.

“Do you ever think about… how things change?” His voice was quiet, almost hesitant.

Her chest tightened. “Change?”

“Yeah. Like… people growing apart, or closer. Life pulling people in different directions.”

She paused, searching his expression. There was something vulnerable in his eyes, something careful, as though he was testing the waters.

“I think… sometimes change can be good,” she said softly. “Even scary changes.”

Their eyes locked again, and for a heartbeat, the world around them faded. She wondered if he felt the same pull she did — that invisible thread drawing them closer.

But before either could say more, her phone buzzed, snapping the moment in two.

“I… I have to get to class,” she said, standing abruptly.

“Yeah,” Caleb replied, his tone neutral, though his eyes lingered on her.

As she walked away, her heart pounded against her ribs. She didn’t look back, but she could feel his gaze following her — and wondered if today was the day everything quietly began to shift between them.

⸻

To be continued…

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