This is the second morning I wake up feeling enthusiastic—light, almost giddy—and I know exactly why. A certain blonde decided to steal my heart, and apparently my peace of mind along with it.
"Samantha, wake up! We're gonna be late for theory class," I yell at my very sleepy best friend.
"Bitch, it's still early, and I thought you hated that class," she groans, half asleep, her voice muffled by the pillow.
Excitement bubbles inside me and refuses to stay quiet. I pull the blanket away from her body, jump, and stand on her bed like a maniac. "I kissed Lukas last night," I blurt out, the confession finally free from the guilt and anxiety that haunted me yesterday. Samantha bolts upright and stares at me like I've just announced the end of the world.
"What do you mean by I kissed him? You initiated the kiss first?" she asks, her eyes wide with surprise and anticipation. I nod proudly, unable to stop the grin stretching across my face. "That I did. Yes." Even saying it out loud makes my stomach flip. I still can't believe I actually did it—something I'd imagined far too many times in my head.
I continue telling her the whole story as we get ready for the day, replaying every moment in my mind. The way he looked at me, the way he kissed me back… the way my heart nearly exploded out of my chest.
"You've got guts, I'll give you that," Samantha says as we leave our dorm and head towards the class. Ironically, the very class I used to hate has suddenly become the one I'm most excited for.
"I can teach you," I say dramatically. "Not for free though." I laugh at my own joke while Samantha sighs. "Meanwhile, I can't even look Darren in the eye. At this point, you really have to teach me."
Samantha is completely submissive when she's in a relationship. She'd never dare to make the first move—even if she desperately wanted to. Though drunk Samantha is an entirely different creature.
"Don't worry about it too much," I tell her. "I can ask Lukas to introduce you two, you know. Since they're in the same band." She stops walking and turns to me, her face lighting up with hope. "Pleaseeee, Aria. Do me this favor. I can't do it on my own like you," she pleads dramatically. I laugh and raise my hands in surrender. "Alright, alright. I'll help you."
We reach the class and take our usual seats. My eyes immediately find Lukas sitting in his usual spot by the window. My heart does that stupid thing again—pounding like it's trying to break through my ribs.
As soon as he notices us, he stands and walks toward us with that effortless confidence of his. He stops beside my desk and smiles. "Is this seat taken?" My stomach flips again. I try to act normal. "No… you can sit here," I say, my voice quieter than I intended. He sits down beside me, pulling out his study book and notebook. Samantha nudges my arm and giggles beside me like a child watching a romance movie unfold. I shoot her a warning look and shush her as the professor starts the class.
But concentrating is impossible. As the room quiets and everyone begins taking notes, I become painfully aware of the thunderous rhythm of my own heartbeat. Lukas holds a pencil in his hand while resting his head against the palm of his other hand—facing me. Watching me. I can feel his gaze burning into the side of my face, and he doesn't even try to hide it.
I try to focus on the professor's voice, but the words blur together. My mind keeps drifting back to last night—to his lips, to the warmth of his hands. Finally, curiosity gets the better of me. I turn my head. Our eyes meet instantly.
He really was staring.
A shy smile escapes me before I quickly break eye contact, my heart racing even faster. His eyes are warm and gentle, but there's something else in them too—something intense. Something confident. Almost dominant. It makes holding his gaze impossible.
Class eventually ends, though I barely absorb a single word the entire time. The reason sits right beside me, casually packing his bag like he didn't just destroy my ability to think. "Can I treat you both to the same café near campus?" he offers. I glance at Samantha. "Darren is going to be there too," Lukas adds, clearly noticing her sudden interest. "If you want me to introduce you." Samantha's face lights up instantly. "Sure, why not," she replies, trying—and failing—to sound casual.
Lukas smiles and stands, then naturally takes my hand as we leave the classroom. Just like that. Like it's the most normal thing in the world. My fingers instinctively tighten around his.
"By the way, Samantha," Lukas says as we walk, "Darren talked about you after last time." The color drains from Samantha's face. "By last time you mean… the concert?" she asks cautiously. We all know the answer already. Lukas laughs. "From the concert indeed." I burst out laughing with him. His laugh is ridiculously contagious.
Samantha slaps my back in betrayal. "That is not funny, Aria. You're supposed to be on my side!" We keep laughing the rest of the way there, the tension melting into something warm and easy. For a moment, everything feels simple.
We reach the café and walk inside, only to find Darren sitting at a table with the same two girls from last time. Including the one who sat suspiciously close to Lukas and glared at me like I'd committed a crime. Lukas doesn't seem to notice—or care. His hand remains intertwined with mine as we walk to the table.
"Heyyy! The bold blonde!" Darren shouts when he sees Samantha. I glance at my best friend and nearly laugh. Her face has turned bright pink all the way to her ears. "Settle down. Don't tease her, Darren," Lukas warns with a friendly but threatening smile. "This is Samantha," he says. "A great aspiring musician who might take you on soon."
"Samantha, this is Darren—our drummer and the clown of the band." Darren gasps dramatically. "The clown? That hurts, man." He stands and offers Samantha his hand. "Darren. As he wrongfully introduced. I'm actually the muse of the band." "Yeah, as if," Lukas mutters.
He continues introducing everyone.
"This is Maria and Joyce. They're both in the business department and hang out with our group." I smile politely at both of them—though Maria has looked noticeably irritated ever since we walked in. "And finally," Lukas says casually, pulling out a chair for me before sitting beside me, "this is Aria… my girlfriend." The word echoes in my head. I barely have time to process it before Maria speaks.
"Girlfriend? Sorry, I didn't take her for your girlfriend," she says with a sarcastic smile. "She's so not your type." The air around the table shifts instantly. Lukas slowly turns to her. His expression is calm—but his eyes are sharp.
"And what exactly did you assume my type was?" he asks evenly. "I don't recall ever discussing my preferences." The table goes silent. "Besides," he adds calmly, "she's my first girlfriend." Maria's face stiffens immediately. "Oh—well—I didn't mean—" she stammers before awkwardly laughing. "Sorry."
I turn to Lukas, still slightly stunned. He just defended me without hesitation.
Without even thinking about it. I give him a warm smile—a silent thank you. Under the table, his fingers find mine again. He gently traces his thumb over my knuckles. A quiet reassurance.
Don't worry.
I've got you.