Beneath The Same Sky

lla candles filled the room, a comforting presence on a cold autumn evening. Olivia, her best friend since they were kids, was sprawled out on the floor, a cup of

rack to the lazy evening they were sharing. They didn't nee

like to fall in love?" Olivia asked, he

aising an eyebrow. "Whe

like everyone around us has it. The movies, the books, hell, even our p

g the rim of her glass absentmindedly. "Of course

ere was something behind it, something wistf

mit that their shared lives-filled with laughter, late-night talks, and the occasional

on, "I think we're good just the way we are. Who

hose self-help books I've been reading. Next thing you'll tell me is that

in their little corner of the world, things felt simple. Easy. "Maybe I should. At least we

ght-another routine in their friendship. The pizza delivery would come, they'd argue about the toppings,

out the yearning that li

ways loved this time of year. The world seemed to slow down, the colors of the leaves turning from green to gold, cre

entered. The warm scent of freshly brewed coffee enveloped her, making her feel momentarily at peace. Olivia was alread

, sliding into the c

tracted smile. "Hey. You'll never

ed an eyeb

voice just a bit, as if afraid som

st, but she quickly brushed it aside. "Who? And when

't. It wasn't a date, but I met this guy, Noah, at a p

ut countless guys over the years, but there was a different ene

said, leaning forward,

erson in the room. He's got these deep brown eyes, and he's so... intense, but in the best way. And when he talks, it's like you can't look away.

eeling down. "Sounds like someone's got a cru

ne. "Maybe. I just... I don't know what it is about him, but I can'

, trying to sound nonchalant, though there was a tighteni

est part. He said he was coming to town for a few weeks, a

rying to make sense of the situation. "Well, y

on in her eyes. "Yeah, I guess. But there's somethi

n her phone, when she received a message from Olivia. The text read: No

ened, and she had to swallow the feeling that was rising in her throat. She told herself it wasn't jealousy, that it was

ad been charming, effortlessly cool, with a smile that could melt anyone's defenses. He had greeted her politely, but his attention was always focused on Oliv

r thoughts. She had dismissed it at the

er voice casual. That's great. I hope it

replied: I will. But I think

the feeling in her chest still linge

feel it in the air. And she wasn