The campus was nearly empty.
It was late—past ten—and most of the students had either gone home or disappeared into their dorms. The courtyard lights flickered softly, casting golden pools onto the stone paths. The autumn air was crisp, but not cold enough to be uncomfortable. Just enough for Michelle to tug her coat closer and smile when Steve offered his arm.
"Where are we going?" she asked as they walked slowly, their steps in sync.
"Nowhere," he said. "That's kind of the point."
She chuckled. "You and your mysterious answers."
He glanced at her sideways, smirking. "You like them."
She nudged him gently with her shoulder. "Maybe."
They wandered past the fountain, down the winding path near the back of the library. Trees lined both sides, their leaves rustling in the breeze like whispers. There were benches along the way, but neither of them felt like sitting.
Sometimes, movement helped the heart speak.
Michelle looked up at the sky. The stars were brighter than usual, twinkling through the bare branches. She let out a quiet breath.
"It's so peaceful," she said. "Like everything finally shut up for once."
Steve smiled. "Including your brain?"
She laughed. "Especially my brain."
He slowed their pace and looked at her. "What's it saying tonight?"
Michelle was quiet for a moment. Then:
"It's saying this feels... real. And kind of scary."
Steve nodded. "Mine too."
They stopped walking. For a moment, they just stood there under the trees, surrounded by silence, shadows, and soft light.
Michelle looked at him, her hands tucked into her coat pockets.
"Do you ever wonder," she said slowly, "what this would be like if we hadn't met here? If it had been some other place, some other time?"
Steve thought for a moment. "I think... I would've noticed you anywhere."
Her breath caught. She opened her mouth to say something, but nothing came.
Instead, Steve reached out and gently took her hand, pulling it from her pocket. His fingers were warm against hers.
He stepped a little closer.
"You know," he said softly, "I used to think love had to be this huge, dramatic thing. Fireworks, heartbreak, running through airports."
Michelle smiled gently. "And now?"
He looked straight into her eyes.
"Now I think it might be this. Just walking beside you. Talking about nothing. Wanting to hold your hand even when no one's watching."
Michelle's heart was racing, but in the quietest, most beautiful way.
She took a step closer too—so close their foreheads nearly touched.
And in a whisper that barely broke the air, she said:
"Then I think I might be in trouble."
Steve smiled, eyes soft. "Good. Me too."
They didn't kiss.They didn't need to.
The way he touched her hand, the way their fingers fit so easily,the way the quiet between them felt full instead of empty—that was enough.
That night, as they walked back toward the dorms under the stars, Michelle realized something:
This wasn't just a feeling anymore.
It was a beginning.