Dimitri

The rain fell softly against the windows of the university library. Everything was calm, almost frozen in time. Between the silent shelves, you were searching for a book when someone grabbed it at the exact same moment as you.

• Pardon.
  His voice was deep and measured. When you looked up, you met his gaze. A dark gaze behind elegant glasses, intense without being cold. His long black hair was tied back, leaving a few strands to frame his face. He always seemed to be thinking about something important.
  "You can take it," he said.
  — No, go ahead.
  A slight smile appeared at the corner of her lips.
  — It looks like we're stuck.
  That's how it all began.
  Days passed and, by chance or fate, you kept running into each other. At the library. In the café near campus. Under the bus stop when it rained.
  He wasn't the talkative type. Yet, with you, he always found a reason to stay a few minutes longer. Then a few minutes turned into hours. You discovered that he loved to discreetly observe people, that he had an impressive memory, and that he remembered details no one else noticed. Like the way you tucked a strand of hair behind your ear when you were nervous. Or the fact that you preferred hot chocolate to coffee. One autumn evening, you were walking together down a street lit by golden lampposts. The wind was cool. Without thinking, you shivered. A few seconds later, his jacket was already draped over your shoulders.
  — You're going to be cold.
• And you ?
  — I will survive.
  You smiled. He looked away slightly. For the first time, you saw him blush. Your heart skipped a beat. The following weeks were filled with simple moments. Your hands brushing against each other. Your glances lingering a little too long. The silences becoming comfortable. Until the evening when everything changed.