chapter five: love in plain sight.

Natasha and Michael’s meetings slowly turned into a habit—coffee breaks, library sessions, and random strolls around campus.

Their conversations flowed easily, like they had known each other forever.

One rainy afternoon, they sat huddled in a cozy café, sipping hot chocolate as the rain tapped softly against the windows.

Natasha looked at him curiously.

“So… why did you start sketching?”

Michael shrugged. “I don’t know. It’s just something I needed to do.”

He glanced at her. “What about you?”

Natasha let out a soft sigh. “I don’t know either. I guess I just got good at pretending.”

“Pretending what?”

She looked down at her cup. “Being someone I’m not.”

Michael leaned in slightly. “Who do you want to be?”

Natasha hesitated. “Myself… I guess.”

A small smile formed on Michael’s lips. “You’re already her.”

Natasha’s cheeks flushed.

“Hey… want to see something?” Michael asked.

“What?”

He pulled out his phone and showed her a sketch.

It was her.

Eyes closed. Laughing.

Alive.

Natasha’s breath caught.

“When did you—?”

“In class,” he said casually. “You didn’t notice.”

Her heart thudded.

He sees me…

Their conversations grew deeper after that—like they were slowly unraveling each other.

But Natasha’s walls weren’t completely gone… just cracked.

At the same time, Michael was fighting his own battles.

He stared at his phone one night, his expression darkening.

A scholarship rejection email sat unopened in his inbox.

Tuition fees were due in two months, and he didn’t have enough saved.

He didn’t want to burden his family.

So he kept it to himself.

The next day, they went to Michael’s house to study.

His mother welcomed Natasha warmly, offering her fruits and snacks like she always did.

Everything felt simple. Real.

But as they studied, Natasha noticed something.

Overdue bills scattered across the desk.

Her expression changed.

“Michael… what’s going on?” she asked softly.

Michael quickly shut his laptop. “Nothing. Just stuff.”

Natasha frowned. “Don’t lie to me.”

He sighed, his pride taking a hit. “It’s tuition, okay?”

Her face softened instantly. “I can help—”

“No.” His voice came out sharp. “Absolutely not.”

Natasha blinked, hurt flickering in her eyes. “Why?”

Michael stood up, pacing.

“Because I don’t need your money, Natasha. I can handle it.”

She stepped closer, refusing to back down.

“It’s not a big deal. I want to help.”

That was it.

Michael’s frustration exploded.

“That’s the problem! You think you can just swoop in and fix everything—like I’m some kind of charity case?”

Natasha froze.

“I was just trying to—”

“You didn’t ask,” he cut in, his voice turning cold. “You just assumed.”

Silence filled the room.

Heavy. Painful.

Natasha’s expression hardened.

“Fine. Forget it.”

She grabbed her bag and stormed out.

Michael stood there, realizing too late that he had just broken something.

The next day at school, they avoided each other.

But somehow, after lunch, they both ended up outside the cafeteria—like they were drawn together.

Natasha spoke first.

“Hey…”

Michael turned, looking tired. “Hey.”

Silence lingered between them.

Then Natasha sighed. “I was wrong to push.”

Michael shook his head. “No… I overreacted.”

She looked at him carefully. “Why did you get so mad?”

He hesitated.

“I just… don’t want to feel helpless.”

Something in Natasha softened.

“You’re not helpless, Michael.”

She gently touched his shoulder.

He gave a small, tired smile. “I guess I felt like I was.”

Natasha stepped closer.

“We’re in this together, okay?”

Michael met her eyes.

“Yeah… okay.”

They walked back to class side by side, the tension gone—replaced by something stronger.

But Natasha couldn’t stop the thought that crept into her mind.

Is this still friendship…

…or something more?

She glanced at Michael, confusion—and something softer—flickering in her eyes.