Ava spent the rest of the day trying and failing to steady her heartbeat. She told herself it was ridiculous—one guy shouldn't have this much power over her. Especially a guy like Nicholas Wolfe. He wasn't even doing anything dramatic. He wasn't chasing her or trying to get her attention.
If anything, he was doing the opposite.
By evening, the sky had turned a soft orange as students filtered toward the hostels. Ava held her bag close, still thinking about the way Nicholas had brushed past her without a word in the library hallway. The silence, the sudden distance… it felt like she'd done something wrong without knowing what.
Lila Carter was sprawled on her bed when Ava entered their room, scrolling through her phone.
"You're late," Lila said without looking up. "And you look stressed."
Ava dropped her bag, collapsing onto her bed. "Do I?"
"Understatement." Lila turned her head, studying her. "Okay, spill. You're acting like someone stole your lunch."
Ava hesitated. Lila was the bold one—sharp, dramatic, unfiltered. She'd immediately jump to conclusions and drag Ava along with her energy. Maya was calm, but Lila? She'd set something on fire before thinking.
"It's nothing," Ava said weakly.
Lila sat up straight. "Ava. Your 'nothing' face looks like heartbreak, confusion, and panic blended into a smoothie."
Ava let out a long breath. "Nicholas."
Lila froze. "The Nicholas?"
"Yes."
"What happened?" Lila leaned forward like she was watching the climax of a movie.
Ava rubbed her palms together, suddenly embarrassed. "He… I don't know. He was nice to me before. Then today he barely said anything. He just—looked at me like I was a stranger."
Lila blinked. "So he went cold?"
Ava nodded slowly.
"And that's what has you melting into your bedsheets?"
Ava groaned and threw a pillow at her. "Lila, this is serious!"
Lila caught it, laughing. "Okay, okay. But look, Ava… Nicholas Wolfe is the kind of guy who probably changes moods like radio channels. Don't take it personally."
But Ava did take it personally. Her chest felt tight just thinking about him walking away earlier. Why did she care so much? She barely knew him.
Lila stretched out again. "Want to distract yourself? We can go downstairs, grab food, talk nonsense."
Ava shook her head. "I'll be fine. I just… need to read or something."
"Suit yourself." Lila popped in her earbuds, humming loudly.
Ava turned to her notes but didn't absorb a single word. Every time she blinked, she saw Nicholas—his jaw tightening, his eyes unreadable, the way he avoided looking at her like she was a problem he needed to erase.
Maybe Maya was right. Maybe he'd simply lost interest. Maybe that's what he did—pulled people close only to let go before anything real could begin.
The thought twisted painfully.
Hours later
Ava finally left the room to get fresh air. The hallway was dimly lit, quiet except for distant laughter from a far room. She walked slowly, breathing in the cooler night air through the open window.
Her phone buzzed.
Maya: Are you okay? I'm in the library if you wanna talk.
Ava typed a quick reply, then froze when she heard footsteps behind her. Slow. Heavy. Familiar.
She turned.
Nicholas Wolfe stood a few meters away, leaning against the wall, eyes fixed on her like she was the very last person he expected to see. Or maybe the one he had been avoiding.
Her breath slipped out shakily.
"Nicholas," she whispered.
He didn't move, but his jaw flexed, a small sign of tension.
"You're out late," he said, voice low, unreadable.
"So are you."
He pushed off the wall, taking a step toward her. Ava felt her pulse spike instantly. She could never think straight around him. Just his presence flooded her senses—his scent, the quiet confidence in his walk, the way he watched her like he was trying to figure out something he shouldn't care about.
"You've been… avoiding me," Ava said before she could stop herself.
Nicholas paused. A flicker crossed his eyes—guilt? frustration? Something else?
"Ava," he said quietly, "it's better if I keep my distance."
Her stomach dropped. "Why?"
He looked away, running a hand through his hair. "Because you don't know me. And I don't want you to think I'm something I'm not."
The softness in his voice only confused her more.
"But… you weren't like this before."
"I was too close before," he corrected softly. "Closer than I should've been."
Ava swallowed, stepping closer without meaning to. "Did I do something wrong?"
His head snapped toward her. "No." His voice was sharp, almost angry that she even thought that.
The hallway suddenly felt too small. Too quiet. Too charged.
Ava avoided his stare but couldn't step away. "Then why does it feel like you're pushing me out?"
Nicholas hesitated—then took a slow breath.
"You make things complicated," he whispered.
Ava's heart stumbled.
Nicholas took one more step. They were inches apart now. She could feel his breath, warm against her skin.
"I don't want complications," he murmured.
Ava's fingers trembled. "Then stop looking at me like that."
His eyes darkened. "Like what?"
"Like you… want something from me."
The moment those words left her mouth, Nicholas went completely still. His gaze dropped to her lips for a split second. Ava's chest tightened violently.
He didn't touch her.
He didn't lean in.
But his voice came out low, rough, unable to hide anything:
"Ava… that's exactly why I should stay away."
Something in her cracked, soft and unsure.
"But you're not walking away," she whispered.
Nicholas exhaled shakily. "That's the problem."
And just like that—just when the air felt too heavy for either of them to breathe—
Nicholas stepped back.
Cold. Controlled. Guarded again.
"Go back to your room, Ava." His voice was steady, even though his eyes weren't. "Before I forget why I'm trying to keep my distance."
Ava stood frozen as he turned and walked away, the space between them stretching painfully.
She didn't call after him.
But her heart did.