She got up, adjusting the strap of her bag over her shoulder, clearly ready to get out of there.

Liam stood up too, giving the other students a sharp look, but he kept his mouth shut. Instead, he held the door open for her. Ayla kept her eyes on the floor as she walked out of the library, her steps quick and small, a mix of relief and embarrassment pushing her along.

Only when they stepped into the bright hallway did she finally take a deep breath again.

"Are you okay?" Liam asked softly as he walked alongside her.

"I’m fine," she replied a bit too quickly, but her voice shook enough for him to realize she was lying.

He moved in front of her, blocking her path. "Ayla."

She looked up at him, her cheeks pink and her eyes unsure.

"It’s not on you," he said. "I was being loud."

"No, I laughed," she said quietly. "We’re in a library. We disturbed people."

He shrugged. "We interrupt each other all the time anyway."

She stared at him for a moment, then broke into a shy smile. "Liam..."

He tilted his head, his eyes warm and playful. "Yeah?"

"Let’s just... head somewhere else."

As soon as they got to the courtyard, Liam stretched his arms out wide. "Freedom! Now, how about the Cafeteria?"

Ayla nodded. "Cafeteria sounds good."

They walked side by side, heading down the long hallway, passing notice boards filled with flyers, students chatting away, and the delicious smell of fresh simit coming from a food cart by the entrance.

They fell into a comfortable rhythm, with Liam kicking a small pebble along the path before looking at her.

"Did you eat anything today?" he asked, looking a little worried.

Ayla just shrugged. "I had a simit this morning."

He gasped dramatically. "Ayla! That’s way too little food. You’re gonna faint on me during drive."

She rolled her eyes. "I’m fine."

"You’re not," he insisted with a playful pout. "So I’m getting you something to eat."

"No, you’re not."

"Yes, I am."

She shook her head. "We’re splitting it."

He groaned. "Why do you have to be like this? Let me be a gentleman!"

"Because I won’t let you spend money on me every day."

He came to a stop and put a hand on his chest like it was some big drama.

"Ayla, I’m on a scholarship. My bank account cries every time I breathe! But I can still manage to buy you lunch every once in a while."

She snorted. "Your accent makes everything sound so over the top."

"Thanks," he said, puffing up with pride. "I practice."

The cafeteria was buzzing with noise, totally different from the quiet of the library. Students chatted, laughed, argued about assignments, clattered trays, and lined up for tea and sandwiches.

Ayla felt herself relax the moment she stepped in. Liam led her to a corner table by the window, where the sunlight spilled over the chairs.

"What do you feel like grabbing to eat?" he asked, dropping his backpack onto the floor.

"Not much, maybe just some tea," she answered, glancing around the cozy café with its warm wooden decor and the smell of fresh pastries in the air.

"How about tea and a chocolate muffin?" he suggested, flashing her a knowing smile.

She let out a playful sigh. "How do you always know what I want?"

He chuckled. "Because you’re pretty predictable."

She shot him a mock glare, but a smile tugged at her lips. He winked back at her.

"Alright, fine. I’ll go with tea and a muffin," she said, giving in.

He nodded and headed to the counter, weaving through the crowd like a pro. Ayla watched him as he stood in line, tall and a bit awkward, fiddling with the sleeves of his hoodie and sneaking glances back at her every few seconds.

When he caught her staring, he greeted her with a big, genuine smile that made her heart race and her chest feel warm.

She was totally in love with him.

More than she ever expected or planned for.

When he came back with a tray, setting her tea in a cute cup and the chocolate muffin on a small plate like it was a special surprise, that familiar flutter hit her, a quiet happiness that only showed up when he was around.

Liam plopped down at the table, propping his elbow up like he owned the place, and playfully said, "Ayla?"

"Yeah?" she answered, raising an eyebrow, curious about where this was going.

"Next time someone tells you to leave the library..." He leaned in closer, dropping his voice to a teasing whisper. "...run faster so I don’t look like a total dork just sitting here waiting for you."

She burst out laughing, not even bothered by the stares from other tables.

Liam laughed too, their joy mixing together and creating this little bubble that felt like it was just for them.

"Here. Eat something. It’s for my sanity," he said, pushing a plate closer to her.

She chuckled, her spirits lifted. "You’re too much."

"And you’re way too cute," he replied, like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

Ayla glanced away quickly, her cheeks heating up. "Stop saying stuff like that."

"Why not?" he asked, genuinely curious.

"Because..." she trailed off, fiddling with her food. "It makes me... nervous."

Liam leaned in, softening his voice. "I don’t want to make you nervous. I just... like being real with you."

Her heart did a little flip.

They kept eating, chatting between bites about classes, the city, his struggles with Turkish grammar, and her issues with public speaking. At one moment, Liam reached over and casually wiped a crumb off her lip.

She froze.

He turned beet-red in an instant. "Sorry! Habit, my little sister always... I didn’t mean to—"

Ayla smiled shyly. "It’s cool."

Their hands brushed under the table by accident, but neither of them pulled away, both acknowledging that little spark between them.