Evan stood in the living room, phone in hand. The place felt almost too quiet, like the whole apartment was holding its breath.
The moment he called, Emily picked up.
"Where are you?" she asked.
"My apartment," Evan said, sounding casual about it.
There was this silence, sharp enough to notice.
"Your apartment?" Emily echoed. "Since when do you have an apartment?"
He smiled a bit. "Had it for a while. Never needed it till now."
"You never told me?" she shot back, half shocked. "Evan, that's a big deal."
He shrugged, even if she couldn't see it. "Didn't think it mattered. I still live in the dorm, right?"
"That's not the point," Emily said. "You're there right now?"
"Yeah. First time I'm actually here."
"Video call. Now."
Evan just switched over, no argument.
Emily's face popped up, her eyes going wide as she took in the place behind him—big windows, empty space, city lights outside.
"Wow," she breathed. "This is all yours?"
Evan turned the phone, showing her around. "Every bit."
She stared, a little impressed, a little annoyed. "And you just... forgot to mention this?"
"I didn't forget," he said. "I just didn't think it mattered yet."
Emily folded her arms on screen. "It matters to me."
That got a laugh out of him. "Message received."
She leaned in, serious now. "I want to come see it."
"Of course," Evan said, right away. "Just not tonight."
Emily narrowed her eyes. "Why not?"
"It's empty," he said. "No furniture, nothing set up. I want you to see it properly. Not like some weird hotel room."
She watched him, then nodded. "Fine. But soon."
"Soon," he promised. "I'll pick you up myself."
She finally smiled at that.
"And next time," she said, "don't keep stuff from me."
"I'm not hiding anything," Evan told her. "You'll see everything."
They stuck around on the call a bit longer—just normal couple talk, teasing, joking, a few tiny complaints. After she hung up, Evan put the phone down and looked around again.
The elevator doors slid open, and Evan stepped out into the hallway. Almost at the same time, the door across from his apartment swung open.
A woman stepped out. She looked like she'd just gotten home from work—heels dangling from one hand, laptop bag slung over her shoulder, blazer half-unbuttoned. She stopped short when she saw him, a flicker of surprise across her face.
"Oh—" She blinked, then managed a quick, "Hi."
"Hey," Evan said, throwing her a polite smile.
They both paused, just looking at each other for a second. She glanced at the door behind him, then back at his face. Now she looked more curious than surprised. "You're… new here, right?"
"Yeah," Evan said. "Just moved in tonight."
That earned a longer look. Not rude—curious. Measuring, almost.
"First night?" she asked.
"First time actually being here," Evan admitted, letting out a quiet chuckle.
She hesitated, then let out a soft laugh. "Sorry if this comes out weird, but—you look really young."
Evan grinned, a little sheepish. "I get that all the time."
She shook her head, still trying to figure him out. "I mean, most people in this building are… well, older. Senior execs, business owners, that kind of crowd."
"I noticed," Evan said, keeping it light.
She studied him for another moment, then nodded toward his door. "So—are you renting?"
He shook his head. "Nope. Bought it."
That one really caught her off guard.
"…You bought it?" She stared at him, clearly not expecting that.
"Yeah," Evan said, calm as ever. "Paid for it a while back. Just never got around to checking it out until now."
Her eyebrows shot up. "Wow." She let out another little laugh. "Honestly, you look like a college kid."
"I am," Evan said, not missing a beat. "Still in college."
She laughed again, warmer this time. "Wait, seriously?"
"Dead serious."
Now she just looked impressed. "That's… honestly, that's pretty wild."
"Thanks," Evan said, rubbing the back of his neck. "Guess I just got lucky."
She shifted her bag and finally relaxed. "I'm Clara, by the way. D-1705."
"Evan. D-1703."
She smiled. "Right across from me, then."
"Looks like it."
She nodded and added, "I work at Esme Solutions. Consulting firm. Keeps me late, but it pays."
"That explains why you're just getting home," Evan said.
"Yeah." She sighed, half-laughing. "Seeing a college student own an apartment here kind of makes me rethink my life choices."
Evan chuckled. "Trust me, I still feel like I don't belong."
She eyed his door one last time, still looking a little stunned. "Well… welcome to Eastwood Heights. Guess I'll see you around."
"Probably," Evan said. "Goodnight, Clara."
"Goodnight, Evan."
She slipped inside, shaking her head like she still couldn't wrap her mind around it, and closed the door.
Evan lingered in the hallway a bit longer after Clara closed her door. He hadn't seen that coming. Honestly, it didn't feel wrong, just off—like his life had split into two tracks and he was somehow on both.
He twisted his key in his own door again, double-checking the lock. The apartment was still quiet inside, but the silence felt different now. Not empty, exactly. More like it belonged to him, or maybe he belonged to it.
Still, he couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching him. Like he was standing on the edge of a life that wasn't really his, not yet.
He glanced around one more time, then headed for the elevator.
The ride down crawled by. Maybe because his brain kept looping through the night—Lena, the kiss, Emily. He tried to ignore the tightness in his chest.
When the doors slid open on the ground floor, he stepped into the lobby. The guard nodded, already recognizing him.
"Good night, sir."
"Good night," Evan answered, and this time he actually meant it.
Outside, the city had changed. Cooler, quieter, like it had been holding its breath for him.
He walked to his car, started it up, and pointed himself toward his dorm.
The drive was short, but it gave him room to think.
What am I doing? Why did I even come here? Why does it feel like I've got two lives, both running at once?
By the time he pulled up to the dorm, it was close to midnight. The building looked the same as always—a few windows lit up, a couple students laughing by the door, music blaring somewhere upstairs.
He parked, grabbed his bag, and headed in. The dorm smell hit him right away—old carpet, cheap air freshener, a hint of instant noodles drifting from somebody's room.
He climbed the stairs to his floor and nudged open his door. Same old mess. Books everywhere, clothes draped over the chair, laptop glowing on the desk.
Evan strolled into the dorm like he hadn't vanished for hours, but Jack and Ryan were already there, sprawled on their beds and looking way too pleased with themselves. Jack scrolled through his phone, barely glancing up, while Ryan crunched on chips, watching Evan like he was the evening's entertainment.
The second Evan shut the door, Jack grinned asked curiously.. "Bro, so who did you have dinner with?"
Ryan jumped in, voice full of fake concern. "Yes, man tell us quickly."
Evan didn't even look at them. He just tossed his bag onto his chair."No one.Just had stuff to do."
Jack sat up, eyebrows raised. "Stuff, huh? Is that code for 'secret date' or what?"
Ryan snickered. "Dude, you get a girlfriend and don't even tell us? Shame."
Evan kept his cool. "No girlfriend."
Jack gave him a look. "You sure? You've been acting mysterious since yesterday."
Evan paused, then shrugged. "I'm fine."
Ryan just laughed. "Right. Come on, man, spill. Who is she?"
Finally, Evan looked up, face impossible to read. "I'm not seeing anyone."
Jack shot a glance at Ryan, like they'd just silently agreed to team up. He got up and leaned against the wall. "Alright, Mr. Secretive. But you know we'll find out."
Ryan nodded, mouth full of chips. "Yeah, we're basically detectives. Roommates' rights and all."
Evan gave a quiet laugh. "Good luck with that."
Jack wasn't done. "Fine. Where'd you go? What'd you do?"
Evan shook his head. "Just went out for a bit, that's all."
Ryan waggled his eyebrows again ask
"Yeah, with whom?"
Evan glanced at both of them, then just shrugged again. "I told you, I was out. With no one."
Jack rolled his eyes. "Man, you're making this sound way the more suspicious."
Evan didn't blink. "There's nothing to tell."
Ryan leaned in, voice dropping like he was about to spill state secrets. "Is it someone from class? The club? Wait—are you seeing someone famous?"
Evan met his eyes, then looked away. "Guys, drop it. I'm not talking about this."
Jack just laughed. "Dude, you're so dramatic. You act like you're in some spy movie."
Evan went quiet for a second, staring at the wall. Then, calm as ever, he said, "I'm tired. I'm going to bed."
Jack and Ryan stared at him for a second. Jack sighed. "Alright, but if you're hiding something, we'll find out."
Ryan gave a little salute. "We always do."
Evan didn't bother replying. He just crawled into bed and flipped off the lights.
Jack and Ryan exchanged a look in the darkness.
Jack whispered, "He's totally up to something."
Ryan nodded. "Yeah… and it's big."
Evan stayed in his room, trying to act like nothing was different, but everything felt off now. Jack and Ryan slipped out, still whispering and cracking up about his "mystery dinner."
He flopped back on his bed, shut his eyes for a second, just needing a break. Then he heard footsteps in the hall.
A voice he knew—smooth, a little mocking—called out, "Nathan's here."
Evan's eyes snapped open.
Nathan strolled in like he owned the place. He always had that look—confident, cocky, convinced everyone should be paying attention to him. He scanned the room and locked eyes with Evan.
"Ah, Evan," Nathan said, grinning like he was in on some private joke. "I saw you out earlier. Busy night?"
Evan didn't bother looking up. "Yeah. Just went out."
Nathan dropped into the chair across from him, crossing his legs in that casual, annoying way. He dragged out the words, half-teasing, "So… who'd you go out with? Some girl? Or did you finally decide to date someone besides yourself?"
Evan's jaw clenched, but he kept his voice steady. "That's none of your business."
Nathan let out this low laugh, like Evan was just here for his entertainment. "Oh, come on. No need to keep secrets. We're classmates, right?"
He leaned in, voice dropping just like he was mocking him. "Or are you worried we'll find out you've landed someone famous?"
*********