The next day, Ariana entered the University Gardens, hoping for some fresh air before her afternoon classes. The garden was one of Silvercrest's most beautiful places—winding stone paths, tall willow trees, and small ponds that reflected the sky.
She spotted a bench tucked under a sweep of white blossoms and dropped down with her notes.
A shadow slid over her page.
She glanced up—and just froze.
Kian stood there. Sketchbook in hand, pencil stuck behind his ear.
"Oh," Ariana breathed. "Hi."
Kian gave a quick nod and sat way over at the other end of the bench, like he was afraid to bother her.
For a while, neither of them said a word.
He cracked open his sketchbook.
She sneaked a look.
Ariana's eyes went wide.
He'd drawn the University Gardens—every detail, every leaf and stone, soft and precise and almost alive.
"You draw?" she whispered.
Kian kept his eyes down. "A little."
She shook her head. "This isn't 'a little.' This is amazing."
He hesitated, then turned to a new page.
Her heart gave a hard thump.
He hadn't been sketching the gardens at all.
He'd drawn her.
Ariana, right there beneath the flowers—her hair spilling over her shoulder, her face quiet and thoughtful.
She swallowed. "You drew me?" ✍🏻
Kian shrugged like it was nothing. "You were there. You just looked... peaceful."
Ariana felt warmth bloom inside her chest.
No one had ever drawn her before.
"I didn't know you noticed me that much," she said quietly.
Kian's pencil paused.
"I notice everything," he replied softly.
Their eyes met. 👀
For a long moment, the world around them—the birds, the wind, the distant chatter—fell silent.
It was just the two of them.
Ariana's heartbeat thundered in her ears. She turned her gaze, face burning.
Kian shut his sketchbook, taking his time.
"See you around, Ariana," he said as he stood.
"See you," she managed, barely louder than a breath.
He walked away, and she sat there under the white blossoms, her heart swelling, thoughts racing. Somehow, this quiet stranger already felt like someone she'd known forever—like someone she couldn't forget. 🧡