The power went out at exactly 8:17 p.m.
Amara knew the time because she was in the middle of reviewing her notes, her desk lamp flickering once before the room plunged into darkness.
"Great," she muttered.
From across the room, Kian's voice floated calmly. "Welcome to hostel life."
She turned. "Does this happen often?"
"Only when you need electricity the most."
She sighed, rubbing her temples. "I have a test tomorrow."
There was a pause. Then the sound of him standing.
"I'll get my torch."
Moments later, a soft beam of light filled the room. Not too bright. Just enough.
He placed the torch on the desk between them. Their fingers brushed accidentally.
Amara pulled back immediately.
"Sorry," he said, but there was no teasing this time.
She cleared her throat. "Thanks."
They sat in silence for a while. The hallway outside buzzed with complaints and laughter, but inside the room, it felt oddly quiet.
Too quiet.
"You're really serious about your studies," Kian said after a while.
"I have to be."
He leaned back on his bed. "Family pressure?"
She hesitated. "Life pressure."
He smiled slightly. "Fair."
Another silence.
She could feel his presence without looking at him, and that unsettled her more than the darkness.
The door suddenly opened.
"Amara!" Sade's voice cut through the room. "Do you have a—"
She stopped short.
Her eyes flicked to Kian. Then back to Amara.
"Oh," she said slowly. "So this is the vibe now?"
Amara jumped to her feet. "It's not like that!"
Kian didn't move. "She's studying."
"In the dark?" Sade teased.
"Temporary situation," Amara said quickly.
Sade raised her hands. "Relax. I'm just here for a charger."
Kian tossed one to her. "Take it and go."
Sade caught it, grinning. "Protective already?"
His eyes narrowed. "Goodnight, Sade."
She laughed and left, but not before shooting Amara a knowing look.
The door closed.
Amara's heart was racing. "You didn't have to do that."
"Yes, I did."
She turned to him. "Why?"
He met her gaze steadily. "Because people don't get to decide things for you."
Her breath hitched.
"That's a rule," she said softly. "No interference."
He stepped closer, stopping just short of her space. "Then maybe we need to rewrite the rules."
The lights suddenly flickered back on.
They froze.
The room was bright again. Normal. Safe.
Too safe.
Amara stepped back quickly. "I'm going to sleep."
She climbed onto her bed, pulling the blanket up, her heart refusing to calm down.
Across the room, Kian lay back, staring at the ceiling.
In the quiet, one truth echoed loudly in both their minds:
Some lines were already blurring.