Mark

Alina and Mark were both eighteen, and although they attended the same college, they barely interacted. Sometimes they'd pass each other in the hallway, sometimes they'd end up in the same classroom—the usual brief glances, nothing more. But everything changed in the fall, when they were assigned to the same team for a project. At first the conversations were awkward: — Is this your part's file?

• Yes, I can explain if necessary. But the more they worked together, the stronger they felt a strange, quiet attraction, as if an invisible warmth had formed between them, growing with each passing day. After one of their classes, a heavy rain began. Alina stood under the canopy, holding her textbooks and helplessly gazing out at the wet street. Mark approached, slightly embarrassed but confident. — You don’t have an umbrella, do you?
• No... and you?
• I have one. Let's go under mine, we're on the same path anyway. They walked very close, shoulder to shoulder. Raindrops pattered on the umbrella, and everything around them seemed surprisingly quiet. Mark could smell the subtle scent of her shampoo, and Alina could feel his hand trembling slightly with excitement. This walk under the same umbrella became their first real moment of intimacy. After that day, they began spending more time together. Instead of going their separate ways after classes, they'd go to a small cafe near the college, drink tea with lemon, and discuss everything: plans, dreams, funny stories from childhood. One autumn day, Alina was freezing outside. She tried to hide her hands in the sleeves of her jacket, but it was of little use. Mark noticed her and, without a word, took off his gloves and handed them to her. “Mark, that’s not fair,” she laughed quietly. “The main thing is that you are warm,” he replied. It happened in the evening, when a light snow had just begun to fall. They were walking in the park, and Alina was laughing, trying to catch snowflakes with her palm. Mark stopped, watching a strand of her hair stick to his cheek.

He moved a little closer than usual, but took his time. His gaze was attentive, gentle—as if he were waiting for permission.

Alina looked up and nodded slightly.

He carefully touched her lips - tenderly, tremblingly, as if he was afraid to disturb this