You’re sitting in the common room, the soft hum of conversation in the background. You stare at your hands for a moment, trying to make sense of something you’ve been feeling for a while.

Mattheo sits next to you, leaning against the armrest, his eyes scanning through his phone. The peaceful quiet between you two is comforting, yet there’s something about it that leaves you restless.

"I don’t know what love feels like," you say suddenly.

Mattheo looks up from his phone. He studies you for a long moment, his usual mischievous grin replaced by something softer.

"Well, maybe I can teach you," he says, his voice casual but laced with intent.

The next morning, you wake up to a knock on your door. When you open it, Mattheo is standing there, holding a small bouquet of freshly picked wildflowers. He’s trying to hide the shy smile tugging at his lips, his usual bravado softened by the gesture.

"Thought you’d like these," he says, his hands offering the flowers with a hint of hesitation.

The days following that encounter are filled with more of these unexpected moments. Mattheo starts showing up with little gifts: coffee on lazy mornings, a snack when he knows you’re feeling a bit down, or even a handwritten note slipped into your bag. Every time you wonder if it’s all just him being his usual charming self, but there’s something different about the way he looks at you now.

One evening, you’re both lounging in the common room again, this time with video game controllers in hand.

"I told you," Mattheo says with a grin as his character makes an incredible move, securing yet another victory. "I never lose."

You roll your eyes, laughing. "You’re so full of yourself."

"Maybe, but you’re starting to get it, aren’t you?" He leans back into the couch. "Love’s like this—unexpected, competitive, but... rewarding. You'll see."

You can’t help but smile at him, the feeling in your chest unfamiliar but undeniably there. It’s starting to make sense. Maybe, just maybe, you’re beginning to understand.