Romane von Lovewrites

The library courtyard became a habit.Three days in a row, Maya walked the path between Helena Hall and the old oak tree. Three days in a row, Idris was already there, waiting.They didn’t talk about anything important.The first day, he asked about her major. She told him Software Engineering. He asked why. She said she liked problems with clear solutions. He said, “Must be nice.”The second day, she asked about architecture. He talked for twenty minutes about light and space and how buildings could make you feel small or safe. She listened more than she spoke. When he finished, he looked at her strangely.“You actually pay attention,” he said. “Most people just wait for their turn to talk.”“I am most people.”“No.” He shook his head. “You’re really not.”The third day, they sat in silence for almost an hour. Students passed, glanced at them, whispered behind hands. Maya ignored them. Idris seemed to too.When she stood to leave, he caught her wrist.“Tomorrow?”She looked down at h

Maya woke to Jess hovering over her bed."Explain. Everything. Now."Maya squinted at the ceiling. Her phone said 6:47 AM. "It's too early.""It's never too early for answers." Jess dropped onto the foot of the bed. "I barely slept. I kept replaying it. You stood up. You called him a performer. He came over. He asked your name. And then you just walked away like you hadn't detonated a bomb."Maya pulled the blanket higher. "Can we talk after coffee?""I brought coffee." Jess produced a styrofoam cup. "Now talk."Maya sat up slowly, taking the cup. Too sweet. Too milky. Exactly what she needed. She took a long sip.Jess waited."There's nothing to explain," Maya finally said. "He asked a question. I answered.""You answered by telling him his entire personality is fake.""I said his confidence looked performed. There's a difference."Jess stared. "Maya. Babe. Sweetie. You don't tell the most popular person on campus they're performing. That's like telling the sun it's too bright.""The

The eye contact lasted exactly two seconds.Maya looked away first.“Did you see that?” Jess whispered, voice high. “He looked back here. Maya, he literally looked at us.”“He looked at the room. It’s called scanning.”“No, that was specific. That had intent.” Jess fanned herself with the orientation booklet. “I’m not okay.”Professor Anderson moved on to the library system. Maya focused on his words like they mattered more than the heat still prickling her skin.He was just looking. It meant nothing.“You should talk to him,” Jess said.“What?”“At the debate thing. He’s speaking at orientation events. You should go. I’ll come for moral support.”Maya turned. Jess’s eyes were bright, her smile hopeful. Something in Maya’s chest shifted.“You like him,” Maya said.“I…” Jess’s face flushed. “What? No. I mean, yes, obviously, look at him, but it’s not… I don’t like him like him. I just appreciate excellence from a distance.”“Jess.”“Okay, fine.” Jess dropped her voice. “I’ve had a tiny

The pizza arrived in a large cardboard box.Jess spread newspaper on the floor. “In case we spill. My mom would find a way to know.”Maya watched from her bed. Still half-unpacked.“You just going to sit there?” Jess looked up. “Come down. Floor’s clean. I swept.”“You swept?”“I’m considerate and mysterious.” Jess patted the newspaper. “Sit.”Maya hesitated, then slid off the bed and lowered herself cross-legged onto the floor. The box was warm between them.“See? This is nice.” Jess grabbed a slice. “Roommates eating together, not secretly hating each other.”“Do people usually secretly hate their roommates?”“Have you met people?” Jess pointed her slice. “My cousin’s roommate in Ohio State used her toothbrush to clean the toilet. Didn’t tell her for three months.”Maya’s slice stopped halfway to her mouth. “That’s illegal.”“Right?” Jess shook her head. “Don’t worry. I’m a good person. I’ll even let you borrow my stuff. Just ask first. And don’t use my toothbrush for anything excep

The taxi driver glanced in the rearview mirror. "You sure this is the place?"Maya pressed her palm against the car door. Outside, Crestview State University sprawled—red-brick buildings, sprawling lawns, students who already knew where they belonged."Yes."The driver pulled up to Helena Hall, a white three-story building with blue railings. Maya paid with cash from an envelope her mother had pressed into her hands that morning."You need help with them bags?""No."The trunk released with a groan. Two suitcases. One cardboard box. Everything she owned.Move.She carried the first suitcase toward the entrance, wheels catching on cracks. A group of girls sat on the steps, their laughter loud. One looked up, scanned her, returned to the conversation.Maya kept her gaze forward.The reception area smelled like lemon cleaner. A woman with silver glasses sat behind a counter. "Name?""Maya Chen."The woman ran a finger down the page. "Room 204. Up the stairs, end of the hall. Your roommat