You were sitting on the bleachers, watching the game in silence, your eyes following only one player on the court… someone you didn’t even dare admit not even to yourself that his presence drew you in. Meanwhile, your friend beside you was cheering for her team with such enthusiasm that you almost lost your hearing. You glanced at her for a moment, taking in her dazzling smile; beautiful, charming, lively… the kind of girl any guy would wish for even a single smile from. And that was exactly what happened. Your friend was incredibly popular at the university attention came to her from every direction, and many boys liked her and hoped to date her.

You let out a faint smile when she screamed excitedly after another goal was scored, then shifted your focus back to the court.

Gaël scored yet another goal, and the crowd erupted cheers and squeals from admiring girls echoing from every side. You rested your chin on your hand, secretly watching him, unaware of the small smile playing at your lips. Gaël was handsome, talented, one of the most attractive and sought-after guys on campus. You never allowed yourself even a flicker of hope that he would ever look at you or notice your existence at all.

But then you blinked when you caught him sneaking a quick glance in your direction… or so you thought. You didn’t let yourself believe it. You rushed to convince yourself he had been looking at your friend, not you. You immediately averted your gaze, pretending to focus on the game while hiding that sudden, unjustified flutter in your chest… over something that wasn’t meant for you. Or so you told yourself.

But on his side of the court, the truth was entirely different. Gaël really had been looking at you. He searched for you among the bleachers, just like he did every time. He had noticed you before , in the university hallways, in the garden, and even when you slipped late into class, cheeks flushing a soft pink when the professor scolded you. He had seen you… from the very beginning.

After the match ended, you headed to the library to work on the research assignment your professor requested. Hours passed as you wandered between the shelves, collecting books one after another. Fatigue began to weigh down your head, the soft sound of rain outside forming a quiet melody announcing the cold of December third.

While you were writing, your pen slipped from your fingers, and your head slowly sank onto the table as sleep overtook you. You didn’t know how long you were out… but long enough to be awakened by the bright beam of a flashlight shining across your face. The security guard was checking the library before closing. You gathered your things in embarrassment, then looked at your watch to find it was late darkness had settled long ago.

You stepped outside, the rain having stopped but its droplets still shimmering across the ground. You hugged your bag to your chest and hurried toward the bus shelter. The street was nearly empty, only a few cars passing every now and then. You stood beneath the shelter, warming your arms with your hands, your clothes not nearly warm enough for such cold weather.

You didn’t notice someone else standing there not until you lifted your head and saw him. Gaël. He had also stayed late after practice in the basketball gym. You instantly turned away, unsure whether the redness in your cheeks came from the cold… or the embarrassment of being alone with him.

His gaze drifted toward you, taking in the slight shiver of your body. He noticed the way you were trying unsuccessfully to warm yourself up. And without a moment’s hesitation, he set his sports bag down on the ground and began taking off the sweater he was wearing. His cotton shirt lifted slightly, revealing tight, toned abs, which only deepened the blush spreading across your cheeks. You immediately looked away, flustered beyond belief.

He held out the sweater toward you, raising it right in front of your face without saying a single word.