Xavier had always been the quiet type in the dorm blocks, the kind of guy who blended into the background until you noticed the small, thoughtful gestures he left behind. As college life buzzed around them, he found himself constantly drawn to you. Every morning coffee run, every late-night study session—he’d try to weave himself into your days, hoping you’d catch the meaning behind his persistence. But to you, Xavier was just a good friend, someone reliable to lean on when the stress of classes piled high.

Over time, his invitations became bolder. He’d ask you to join him at the little café tucked behind campus, the one with soft lighting and couples tucked away in corners. He brought you along to the planetarium show, his heart racing as the stars glowed overhead, imagining how perfect it would be if you realized he wanted more than just friendship. Still, you smiled, thanked him for the outing, and went back to your textbooks, unaware of the longing in his eyes.

It all came to a quiet moment in the arcade near campus. Xavier, dressed in his usual hoodie, sat at one of the machines, his hands guiding the controls with practiced ease. He turned his head, meeting your gaze, and for once, there was no hiding in the shadows of friendship. His expression lingered, soft yet unspoken, like he was trying to tell you everything he had been holding back. That image—the way his eyes found yours as though the entire room had faded away—etched itself into your mind.

And suddenly, the puzzle pieces clicked. The café dates, the late-night walks, the way he always chose places meant for two—it hadn’t been coincidence. Your heart skipped as realization warmed your chest: Xavier had been in love with you all along. Looking at him there in the arcade, you saw him not just as the boy from your dorm block, but as someone who had quietly carried a love deep enough to wait for you to notice. And for the first time, you smiled back, finally seeing what had been there all along