Panic shot through her, freezing her in place for a second. Her mind was racing with questions. Who was sending these ssages? She glanced at the device, but the sender was hidden. She couldn’t afford to get lost in thought, not now. Ti was running out, and she had to get out of there before whatever threat was closing in caught up with her.
She grabbed her dark hoodie, pulled it on, and adjusted her cap to keep her identity hidden. Sliding on a mask felt like the final step into disappearing. Taking a deep breath, she glanced at the backdoor feed, hoping for a mont to breathe.
Her heart sank when she saw them, four black SUVs parked nacingly right outside. Their sleek shapes were way too close for comfort, confirming her worst fears. The chase was on, and she had to move fast.
********
The sky over Istanbul was painted in soft shades of lavender and burnt orange, creating a sunset that made everything feel a bit slower, almost special. The air was cooling down, filled with the fresh scent of the Bosphorus and hints of night falling, while the lively buzz of campus life llowed into a quieter, more thoughtful vibe.
Ayla stood by the main gate of Istanbul University, tugging her cardigan a little tighter around her shoulders as she glanced at her phone for the third ti in less than a minute.
6:42 p.m.
She let out a slow breath, trying to shake off the nerves.
She wasn’t running late, and neither was he. Everything was fine.
So why couldn’t she stop fiddling with the strap of her well-worn bag, tracing the leather in a bid to calm the fluttering in her chest?
It had been almost a week since the library incident, the unexpected laughter that echoed off the walls, the brief touch of their hands reaching for the sa book, the way he looked at her like he was trying to morize every detail of her face.
Since then, they’d crossed paths here and there, a quick wave from across the courtyard, a shared grin in the hall, a casual "see you later" that carried more weight than usual. But this was different.
This was... on purpose.
"Alright," she muttered to herself, as if it would make her feel better. "It’s just coffee."
Except it wasn’t just coffee.
This was the first ti they were getting together outside of study sessions, away from their usual routines and all the reasons that kept them from really connecting. No notes to hide behind, no assignnts to use as a buffer.
Just the two of them, standing on the edge of sothing new and exciting.
"Hey!"
The familiar voice cut through her thoughts, warm and unmistakable.
She turned, and there he was, standing under the soft glow of the streetlights.
Liam jogged toward her, hands stuffed into the pockets of his dark jacket, his hair a little ssy like he’d just ruffled it one too many tis. He slowed as he got closer, flashing that grin that always made her heart skip a beat.
"Sorry," he said, a bit breathless, cheeks slightly flushed from the cold. "I swear, every ti I try to be early, sothing always cos up."
"You’re not late," Ayla said quickly, then softened her tone with a smile. "I just got here, too."
"Great," he replied, looking relieved. "Because I was about to bla it on Turkish traffic, even though I walked."
She laughed, and suddenly, the tension she had been holding started to fade away.
They walked side by side down the street leading away from campus, lined with trees that rustled in the breeze. The city buzzed around them, distant honking of cars mixed with snippets of conversations from nearby cafés, and the comforting clink of tea glasses.
"So," Liam said, glancing at her. "You made it through the week."
"I did," she replied, a hint of pride in her voice. "Barely, but I got there."
He put a hand over his heart dramatically. "Without my emotional support?"
"Without your constant distractions," she shot back playfully.
"Ouch," he said, pretending to be hurt, hand dramatically to his forehead. "I thought I was inspiring!"
"You are," she admitted, her tone softening. "Just... a little too loud sotis."
He flashed a big grin, eyes sparkling with mischief. "Fair enough."
They walked side by side in a pretty relaxed silence, their shoulders brushing against each other every now and then, each little touch sending a spark through her. She couldn’t help but wonder if he felt it too. Did he really slow down when their arms bumped like that?
"So," he finally said after a mont. "I found this spot nearby, a small café with really good coffee and the worst music."
"Worst music?" she asked, intrigued.
"Yeah," he said, pausing for a second, "like those romantic songs from the early 2000s that make you rethink your life choices."
"That sounds... oddly specific."
"I’ve got my issues," he said, keeping a straight face.
She laughed again, and he seed to glow, as if her laughter was his favorite sound in the world.
The café ca into view, tucked away on a quiet street, its windows glowing warmly as twilight set in. Inside, the soft yellow lights bounced off the wooden tables, filling the air with the rich aroma of coffee and a hint of cinnamon, making her feel instantly at ease.
They picked a cozy table in the back, out of the main rush. Liam pulled out a chair for her with a small grin, which made her raise an eyebrow playfully.
"You’re really going all out with the gentleman act, huh?" she said, amused.
"Always," he replied, a twinkle in his eye. "I’ve got a lot of sides, you know."
She shook her head, smiling, and took a seat.
After ordering, hers was coffee with milk and a touch of sugar, while he went for black, strong, just how he liked it. A comfortable silence settled in. It wasn’t awkward; it was buzzing with unspoken feelings.
Charged.
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