Evelyn hadn't meant to linger in the bookstore, but somehow, time had slipped away.
Between Mia's enthusiastic rants about different book series and Adrian's casual teasing, she found herself… enjoying it.
It was strange. Unfamiliar.
But not unwelcome.
"Alright, I need to stop before I bankrupt myself,"
Mia declared, cradling a stack of books as she made her way to the counter.
"Eve, are you getting anything?"
Evelyn hesitated, her fingers still resting on the fantasy novel she had picked up earlier.
She had told herself she wouldn't buy it—there was no point.
She didn't read for fun anymore.
Yet, something in her rebelled against that thought.
Maybe it was Adrian's words still echoing in her mind, or maybe it was the fact that, for the first time in a while, she wanted to do something just because it made her happy.
She took the book and followed Mia to the register.
Adrian, who had been watching silently, smiled.
"Good choice."
She shot him a look.
"Don't make a thing out of it."
"I would never,"
he said, though the amusement in his voice betrayed him.
---
After leaving the bookstore, Mia made a quick excuse about needing to meet someone, leaving Evelyn and Adrian alone once again.
They walked in comfortable silence through the evening-lit campus, the sun casting golden hues across the sky.
Adrian glanced at her.
"So, are you gonna actually read it?"
Evelyn shrugged.
"Maybe."
He chuckled.
"That's not a real answer."
She sighed, hugging the book closer.
"I don't know, okay? It's been a long time since I let myself enjoy things without overthinking them."
Adrian nodded, his expression thoughtful.
"Then don't overthink it. Just read because you want to."
She huffed.
"Easier said than done."
"Most things are,"
he admitted.
"But it doesn't mean they're impossible."
They reached the small fountain near the center of campus, where water trickled softly against the stone.
Without thinking, Evelyn sat on the edge, and Adrian followed suit.
For a moment, they just watched the ripples on the surface of the water.
It was peaceful.
Then Adrian spoke again, his voice quieter this time.
"You know, you're allowed to take small steps."
Evelyn turned to him.
"What?"
"You don't have to change everything overnight. You don't have to force yourself into being 'better' just because you think you should."
He met her gaze, his blue eyes steady.
"Small steps count too."
Something in her chest tightened.
Because no one had ever told her that before.
She exhaled, looking down at the book in her hands.
Maybe she wasn't ready to fix everything. Perhaps she still had a long way to go.
But tonight, at least, she had taken a small step.
And maybe that was enough.