The morning after my birthday felt… different. I woke up still thinking about last night's messages with Finn.I didn't know why I kept rereading them, but I did. Maybe because it felt unreal, like I suddenly stepped into a story I wasn't prepared for.
While I was fixing my things, my mom peeked inside my room.
"Ayla, you have a visitor later?" She asked.
"Huh? Who is it?"
"Uhm, I think.. Finn?"
I almost dropped my pencil.
He told me last night that we should work on our plate today, but I didn't expect him to actually come to my house. I thought we were gonna do it online or something. My mom kept smiling like she knew something I didn't.
"Is he your friend?" She teased.
"No, mom." I said too fast. "He is my classmate. Groupmate. Thats it."
But she just nodded with the I-know-what-you-mean expression.
——-
By the time Finn arrived, I was sweating for no reason. He entered quietly, carrying his drawing materials in a black tote bag. Even in casual clothes, he still had that calm, collective vibe.
"Hi", he said simply.
"Hello. Come in." Smooth, Ayla. Very smooth.
We settled in the dining table. My mom kept peeking from the kitchen but pretended she wasn't. Embarrassing.
We worked mostly in silence, except for small questions like:
"What should I put here?"
"Are my colors okay?"
His voice was calm and very reassuring, and I hated how I liked it too much.
Hours passed without us noticing. The sun set, the house got quieter, and suddenly it was already 11 PM.
"It's already late." I said while stretching my arms. "Do you want to stop?"
He shooked his head. "It's okay. I'll just finish up the details."
He stayed until almost midnight. My mom even brought us snacks like it was some study date or something. When he finally packed up, he looked a bit tired but still polite.
"Thank you for inviting me to your house." He said.
I smiled. "thanks for coming! Be home safe." I replied.
As he left, I watched him walk down our street until he turned the corner.
It felt… nice.
Unexpected, but nice.
——-
The next day, he was late. Again. But this time I know the reason.
I glanced at the classroom door every minute until he finally slipped inside, slightly out of breath.
"Sorry, sir." He said.
Our professor didn't even looked up. "Pass your plates. Everyone should have cover page as I instructed."
Cover page??
My heart sank.
Finn didn't have one.
I knew he didn't, because we literally worked together last night and he never mentioned it. And now he was staring at his folder like it betrayed him.
"You didn't have a cover page?" I whispered.
"I didn't know we need it." He whispered back, jaw tensing a bit.
The submission lime was already forming. He wouldn't make it at this rate.
Without thinking, I opened my folder, grabbed a clean sheet, and pulled out my pen. Thanked God I have an extra sheet.
"Ayla, what are you doing?" He asked, eyes widening.
"Cover page." I said. "For you. So hurry up and hold this."
He held the edge of the paper and give me whatever I asked for while I wrote his name, section, subject—- everything. My handwriting wasn't the best when I was rushing, but atleast it looked heat.
"Go pass it." I handed it to him.
He stared at the page for a second before looking at me.
"Thank you." He said softly.
Not just a casual thank you.
Not the usual quiet tone.
It was sincere. Warm.
And for some reason, that one small word made my chest feel strangely full.
As he walked to the front to submit our work, Noah nudged me.
"Wow, so you're a cover page writer now?" He whispered teasingly.
"Shut up." I said, but I couldn't stop smiling.
I wasn't sure what was happening between me and Finn.
Maybe nothing.
Maybe something.
But whatever it was, it was starting to grow— quietly, slowly, in small moments like this.