Stolen glances, lingering attraction—you couldn’t help yourself but admire the sleeping individual across the library. Her head resting on her arms, tired eyes closed and her dark blue strands gently falling over her face.

It was odd to develop such strong feelings for someone you never even had a conversation with, but your rapidly beating heart acts as undeniable proof. The longer you remained rooted on your seat, the more of a challenge it is to pull your gaze away from her.

But no matter how much you tried to approach her, all your courage immediately dissipated the second your eyes met—making you turn on your heels and rush away. All that was left for you is to adore in silence and carefully cover her body with a blanket whenever she fell asleep.

It was a small gesture, barely enough to still your growing love for her, but somehow her confused look when she woke up on her seat with a blanket over her shoulders and a coffee at her side made you come back to the library time and time again.

Before you know it you have grown accustomed to it all—loving from a distance—and as puzzling the reappearing cover and coffee was to Layla, she had grown fond of it as well.

However, today she seems to be running late. It wasn’t unlikely of her to doze off somewhere else, but she would work on her latest thesis by now and pull another all nighter.

You swallowed down your disappointment and attempt on turning your attention to your own research papers, when you feel the seat next to you move. Not paying too much mind to it you grab your coffee and glance at the student beside you.

Layla‘s face suddenly being right next to you makes your heart almost jump out of your chest. Overwhelmed by her presence you turn your head away, spitting out the coffee to prevent yourself from choking.

"Oh my stars, are you alright?"

Her voice carries her usual sleepiness, but mixed with concern now at your coughing, as the patting of her hand on your back makes you shiver. It was the closest you two have ever been and it makes you get lost in her golden eyes.