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I stifled a yawn as I trudged across campus, my heavy backpack making each step more cumbersome. The early hour and lack of coffee had me moving on autopilot towards my first lecture of the day.
Just as I resigned myself to a morning of mind-numbing lectures, a cheerful voice called out "Eveee!" before I was enveloped in a crushing bear hug that lifted me clear off the ground.
"Niall!" I exclaimed, the breath knocked out of me. But I couldn't help the smile spreading across my face at my friend's enthusiasm.
Niall set me down, grinning from ear to ear. "There's my favorite person's, favorite person! Was starting to think you'd skipped town without saying goodbye," he teased.
I rolled my eyes affectionately. "Oh yes, I moved to Fiji and didn't tell a soul. You guys caught me."
"Knew it!" Niall declared, ruffling my hair playfully. "Well lucky for you, I brought sustenance for your weary academic soul."
With a flourish, he presented two large iced coffees and a bag of pastries from our favorite campus bakery. My eyes lit up.
"Have I told you lately that I'm glad Mel found you?" I sighed blissfully, already sipping the creamy, caffeinated nectar.
Niall slung an arm around my shoulder as we continued walking. "Only every time I feed you, which is becoming a daily habit," he chuckled.
But his eyes shone with quiet fondness, betraying the depth of care beneath the joking exterior.
That was Niall though - always looking out for his friends in small but meaningful ways. Niall adopted the older brother type relationship with me after officially dating Melissa. Always making sure to bring me some pastries if he was coming by to see his girlfriend. I questioned it at first, if this was his way to bribe me, along with keeping himself on my good side. He laughed back saying it was his masterplan for me to always subconsciously root for him, if Melissa were to ever have any doubts. I cherished our easy rapport and the comfort of having someone who knew me so well.
We chatted animatedly as we made our way to my class, filling Niall in on the latest drama with my workplace while he recounted this apparently hilarious story of what his professor did.
Before I knew it, we had reached the lecture hall, the coffee and pastries already devoured. I turned to Niall with a smile."Thanks for the breakfast pick-me-up." I said sincerely.
"Anytime, Evie. I've got your back," Niall replied, pulling me in for another quick hug before heading off with a cheerful wave.
"Stop, only Melissa is allowed to call me that" I yelled back in a huff as he continued to walk away.
I entered the lecture hall feeling considerably more cheerful. Trust Niall to transform an otherwise dull start to the day.
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Melissa, Niall and some friends met up for dinner at our favorite Italian restaurant. The cozy ambience and savory aromas immediately lifted my spirits. Laughter and conversation flowed easily around the table.
Under the mood lighting, Harry looked unfairly handsome. I tried not to stare, but my eyes were helplessly drawn to him throughout the meal.
At one point, Harry leaned over intimately and reached across me for the grated parmesan cheese. His hand lingered on my lower back, fingers splayed and warm. The simple touch felt charged.
"Sorry love, didn't mean to disrupt your meal," he said with a playful grin that told me he knew exactly the effect he had on me. The spot where his hand had been now felt like it was burning.
From across the table, I noticed Niall watching our interaction, a knowing smirk playing on his lips. But before he could comment, Melissa jumped in enthusiastically describing her art project due next week.
The dinner proceeded smoothly, though Harry found small excuses to initiate contact - reaching across me for a utensil, holding my chair as I stood up, guiding me with a hand on my waist. Each innocent touch left me thrumming with excitement.
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Melissa offered to help me tidy up the kitchen after finishing up fixing up the cushions in the living room.
"You know," she remarked casually as we washed dishes, "you and Harry would make an adorable couple."
I nearly dropped the plate I was drying. "Mel! Come on, we're just friends," I protested weakly.
She gave me a pointed look. "Oh please, I have eyes! I see the romantic little gestures, the heart eyes at dinner. You're clearly crazy about each other."
I worried my lower lip with my teeth, unsure how to respond. Were my feelings for Harry that obvious?
Melissa's expression softened. "It's okay to want something real with him, Ev. I haven't seen you this happy in so long. Don't let fear hold you back from something amazing." Her words resonated deep within me.
That night as I lay in bed, my mind spun with thoughts of Harry and what the future could hold. I realized Melissa was right - my feelings for him had grown into something meaningful. It was both thrilling and terrifying. But hiding from it wouldn't make it disappear.
The next day Harry invited me over for homemade tacos and a movie at his place. I agonized over my outfit, wanting to look nice but casual. My heart raced as I made my way to his door.
Harry welcomed me with a dimpled grin that made my knees weak. The mouthwatering aroma of sizzling meat wafted from the kitchen.
We chatted over dinner and Harry insisted I try the guacamole he made from scratch. I moaned appreciatively at the burst of flavors, making him chuckle. "Better than any restaurant," I declared sincerely.
Harry's eyes crinkled with pride. "My compliments to the chef?" he prompted playfully.
"Absolutely. 10 out of 10 tacos," I praised, and he grinned, satisfied. This domesticity between us felt so natural, like we'd done it countless times before.
Later that night, Harry found me on the balcony staring contemplatively at the night sky. He came up beside me, our arms barely brushing against each other.
"Penny for your thoughts?" he asked after a few moments of silence. His tone was gentle, letting me know it was okay to open up.
I glanced over at Harry, his gaze fixed on me intently. The cool night air ruffled his curls as he waited patiently for my response. My heart fluttered nervously in my chest.
"I was just thinking about how much things have changed between us," I began, measuring my words carefully. "When we first met, I could never have imagined we'd become so...close."
Harry nodded, a half-smile playing on his lips. "That's an understatement of the century. We absolutely despised each other at first."
I chuckled softly at the memory of our constant bickering and barbed comments. "I know. I think we set a new record for how fast two people could get under each other's skin." A comfortable silence fell between us as we reflected on the evolution of our relationship.
"So what changed?" Harry asked after a moment, his tone laced with genuine curiosity.
I considered the question, memories of the past few months flashing through my mind. Our animosity dissolving into playful banter. The late night conversations where walls slowly came down. His unexpected thoughtfulness when I was overwhelmed.
"I guess we just took the time to really see each other," I said finally. "Instead of making assumptions, we learned to understand one another. And when you have understanding..."
"Comes care," Harry finished with a knowing smile. I returned his smile, our wordless communication speaking volumes. We had forged a profound connection without even realizing it.
Harry shifted his body to face me, his expression growing serious. "You've come to mean a great deal to me, Evelia. I hope you know that."
My breath caught in my throat at the unexpected confession. I timidly met his intense gaze, seeing the truth of his words reflected back at me. The energy between us changed, feelings laid bare hovering in the scarce space between us.
"You mean a lot to me too, Harry," I admitted softly. It was the truest thing I had spoken in a long time. Harry's lips curved into a radiant smile, crinkling the corners of his eyes. He reached for my hand, his rough palm sliding against my own, fingers interlacing together seamlessly. I welcomed the contact, the physical connection sparking a warmth in my core.
We stayed like that for a few heartbeats, hands clasped together in wordless communication. Then Harry gently tugged me closer and I willingly leaned into him, my head coming to rest in the crook of his neck. His arm wrapped securely around me as we gazed out at the night sky blanketed in stars.
"What are we doing?" I murmured against his shoulder after a few moments. It was something just friends typically didn't do. The affectionate intimacy both exhilarated and frightened me.
Harry's fingers traced delicate patterns up and down my arm as he considered his response. "I'm not really sure," he admitted finally, a tinge of vulnerability in his tone. "But I know I care about you, Evelia. I want to be here for you, in whatever way you need."
My heart swelled at his earnest words. I pulled back slightly to meet his eyes. "I care about you too. So much. I just...I'm afraid of ruining what we have. I don't want to lose this."
Harry nodded in understanding, his thumb rubbing soothing circles on my hand. "You won't lose me, love. No matter what happens between us." The reassurance untangled the knots of anxiety within me.
"Can we just take things slow?" I requested softly. "Figure it out one step at a time?"
"Of course," Harry agreed, pressing a tender kiss to my forehead that left me breathless. "We can go at your pace. All I know is that you make me happy. Truly happy."
I blinked back the tears that sprang unexpectedly to my eyes. After so much heartbreak and uncertainty, the realization that someone saw me, understood me, cared for me was overwhelming in the most beautiful way.
"You make me happy too," I whispered, the admission lifting a weight from my chest. A stunning smile spread across Harry's face and in that moment nothing else mattered except how perfectly our hands fit together and the promise of exploring these delicate new feelings between us.
We stayed huddled together on the balcony a while longer, no more words needed. Everything worth saying had been communicated through entwined hands, racing hearts, shared smiles and the safety of each other's arms.
I wasn't sure exactly where this would lead us, but I knew Harry was worth taking a chance on. The scary, exhilarating, bewildering journey of falling in love had begun and for once, I was ready to embrace wherever it took us.
Over the next few weeks, Harry and I grew closer than ever before. We spent as much time together as possible, nurturing the blossoming relationship between us. Our interactions were now frequently punctuated with shy smiles, lingering touches, and an unspoken but palpable affection.
Harry went out of his way to make thoughtfully romantic gestures - greeting me with my favorite coffee order in the mornings, leaving sweet notes in my textbooks, surprising me with home-cooked picnics in the park. Each one made my heart skip a beat.
In turn, I sought for opportunities to brighten his day - baking his beloved chocolate chip cookies, cheering loudly at his football games, suggesting we stay in some nights for movies and cuddles. The way his eyes lit up never failed to make me melt.
We took long, meandering walks late into the night, sharing secrets under the stars that we had never breathed aloud before. I confessed my deepest insecurities while he spoke of family pressures and expectations that weighed heavily on him. In the darkness, hands clasped together, we forged an unbreakable bond.
There were movie nights spent with limbs tangled comfortably on the couch, neither paying much attention to the screen because we were lost in each other. Gentle caresses and sleepy murmurs that danced on the border of something more heated, but we always pulled back from crossing that threshold too soon.
On one of the last warm evenings of early autumn, Harry planned a romantic picnic dinner at our favorite secluded campus garden. He spread out a cozy blanket beneath a canopy of trees, their leaves just beginning to turn vibrant hues of orange and red.
He had prepared all my favorites - fresh crusty bread, juicy grapes and strawberries, a delicious pasta salad, and chocolate-dipped fruits for dessert. We ate and talked and laughed until the stars peeked out in the darkened sky above us.
When the air grew chilly, Harry bundled me into his hoodie, enveloping me in his warmth and scent. We laid back on the blanket and gazed up at the twinkling stars, the mood soft and intimate.
Harry's fingers found mine in the darkness, interlacing together. I rolled onto my side to face him, our hands still clasped between us. "This - us - has been such a gift. I'm still amazed at how far we've come."
Harry brought our joined hands to his lips, brushing a feather-light kiss over my knuckles that sent tingles down my spine. "Me too, love."
My heart swelled at his words. I leaned in slowly until our foreheads touched, noses nuzzling together. "Harry, will you be my boyfriend?" I asked in a whisper, the question hanging delicately in the minimal space between us.
Harry's sharp intake of breath was my only warning before his lips covered mine in a searing kiss. The contact radiated through every cell of my body, lighting me up from within.
When we finally broke apart, breathless, Harry's eyes found mine again. "So I'm guessing that's a yes?" I asked playfully.
His answering smile outshone every star in the sky above us. "Evelia, it would make me the happiest man alive to call you my girlfriend."
Harry rolled me onto my back, his strong arms gently cradling. With a playful grin, he locked my arms into place, his eyes holding a mix of mischief and affection. "I had a speech prepared, you know," he confessed, his breath brushing against my cheek. "Something about stars aligning and fate intervening."
I couldn't help but smile, captivated by the sincerity in his gaze. "Stars aligning, huh? Sounds like you've been watching too many romantic movies."
Harry chuckled, his lips grazing mine in a tender kiss. "Well, blame the universe for being unoriginal. It insists on clichés."
As he pulled back, his eyes met mine, a teasing gleam dancing in them. "But you just had to beat me to it, didn't you?"
His lips captured mine again, the kiss carrying a subtle mixture of playfulness and passion.
His fingers traced gentle patterns on my skin as he spoke, "So, here's to the girl who not only stole my heart but also my thunder."
I couldn't resist a smirk. "You'll get over it, I'm sure."
Harry's laughter rumbled against my chest as he nestled beside me.
Against all odds, the broody boy down the hall had become mine. Euphoria bubbled up inside me knowing he was all mine, and I was his. Under the moonlight, cocooned in our own private world, everything felt exactly as it should.
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a/n: ahhh whats eveila and harrys ship name??