Everyone in college had a "group."
But theirs?
Theirs was a legend.
If Aria was walking through the corridor, Adrian wasn't far behind.
If Daniel was laughing too loud in the canteen, Isabella was rolling her eyes beside him.
And if one of them was missing, the whole campus noticed.
Four years.
Four whole years of shared lectures, bunked classes, assignments done last minute, birthday surprises, and inside jokes no one else understood.
"Ariaaa!" Daniel shouted dramatically across the lawn.
She didn't even turn. "What did you break this time?"
"Nothing. Yet."
Adrian walked beside her, hands in his pockets. "Ignore him. He just needs attention."
Daniel placed a hand over his heart. "You're just jealous she talks to me more."
Aria smirked. "Maybe I do."
Adrian stopped walking.
"Excuse me?"
She turned slowly, pretending to think. "I mean… Daniel is sweeter."
Daniel grinned proudly. "See? She knows quality."
Adrian stepped closer, lowering his voice. "Sweet? That's the word you choose?"
"Problem?" she challenged.
His eyes held hers a second longer than necessary.
"Yeah. I don't like it."
Isabella clapped loudly between them. "Okay! Why is this suddenly intense?"
Aria laughed and walked ahead. "Relax, Bella. He's dramatic."
But her heart had skipped.
Just slightly.
Lunch break meant their usual spot under the big banyan tree near the parking lot.
They had claimed that space in first year.
It was unofficially theirs now.
Daniel lay down on the grass, using Aria's bag as a pillow. "You know, if Aria ever falls in love, it'll definitely be with me."
"In your dreams," Isabella replied instantly.
Adrian didn't say anything.
He just looked at Aria.
"So?" Daniel continued. "If you had to choose between us—"
"I wouldn't," Aria interrupted.
"Why?" Adrian asked quietly.
She shrugged. "Because I don't mix friendship and feelings. It ruins everything."
There was a small silence.
Only for a second.
But Adrian noticed it.
Daniel didn't.
"Good," Adrian finally said casually. "Because that would be awkward."
She rolled her eyes. "Exactly."
But the way his jaw tightened told a different story.
Later that day, they were walking toward the parking lot when a junior girl approached Adrian.
"Hi, um… can I get your number?"
Aria slowed her steps.
Not because she cared.
Just because she was curious.
Adrian looked at the girl, then at Aria.
A small smirk appeared on his face.
"Why not?" he said lightly, taking the girl's phone.
Daniel leaned toward Aria. "Jealous?"
She scoffed. "Of what?"
"Of him flirting."
"I flirt too," she replied calmly.
Almost as if to prove her point, she slipped her arm around Daniel's shoulder. "Right, Dani?"
Daniel grinned instantly. "Of course."
Adrian handed the phone back to the girl, but his expression had changed.
When the girl left, he looked at Aria's hand still resting on Daniel's shoulder.
"Comfortable?" he asked.
"Very."
His eyes darkened slightly.
"Careful, Aria."
"With what?"
"With lines."
She smiled sweetly. "Relax. It's just flirting."
He held her gaze.
"Yeah," he said slowly. "Just flirting."
But something about the way he said it didn't feel casual anymore.
And maybe that was the problem.
Because for four years, everything had been easy.
Safe.
Untouched.
They flirted.
They teased.
They laughed.
But no one ever asked—
What happens when one person starts meaning it?
And that's how it always begins.
Not with love.
Not with promises.
Just with almost.