Chapter 23: Unraveling Feelings

On a sunny afternoon, Alex and Lily decided to take a stroll through the picturesque campus gardens. The vibrant colors of the flowers and the gentle rustling of leaves created an idyllic setting for their outing.

As they chatted and laughed, relishing the warmth of their friendship, fate had a surprise in store for them. Around a bend in the garden path, they spotted Gabriel, strolling casually with a bright smile on his face, when he got closer to Alex, he held her hand in his.

Lily's eyes widened in surprise, and she nudged Alex discreetly. "Is that Gabriel?" she asked in a hushed tone.

Alex blushed, nodding in confirmation. "Yes, it's him," she replied, feeling a mixture of emotions swirling within her.

Gabriel noticed them and flashed a warm smile. "Hey, Alex, Lily! What a pleasant surprise," he said, his eyes showing genuine delight.

"Hi, Gabriel," Alex greeted, trying to hide her nervousness.

Lily extended a friendly hand, and Gabriel shook it with a friendly grin. "Nice to see you again, Gabriel," she said.

"It's great to see both of you," Gabriel replied. "I hope you're both having a lovely day."

As they exchanged pleasantries, Lily couldn't help but notice the subtle intimacy between Alex and Gabriel—the way their fingers were interlaced and the shared smiles that passed between them. A myriad of questions swirled in Lily's mind, but she decided to give them some space and time to talk.

After a few minutes of friendly conversation, Gabriel excused himself, explaining that he had to attend a meeting. "Take care, Alex, Lily. See you both soon," he said before walking away.

Once Gabriel was out of earshot, Lily turned to Alex, her eyes curious. "So... are you and Gabriel... like, together?" she asked delicately.

Alex looked down, fiddling with her fingers nervously. "Well, we're not officially dating, but... we've been spending time together, and I do like him," she admitted shyly.

Lily grinned mischievously. "I knew it! But what about your boyfriend Lucas?" she asked sternly.

Alex stuttered, "he's fine only that he has been busy these days". Then she quickly continued the conversation about Gabriel "It's all so new and unexpected," she said. "But he's been a really sweet and caring person."

Lily nodded, her expression thoughtful. "He seems like a genuinely nice guy," she remarked. "But... are you not worried about how things might change between you and Lucas if you let Gabriel this close to you?"

Alex paused, reflecting on Lily's question. "I wouldn't want anything to come between myself and Lucas," she said honestly. "He means the world to me, and besides Gabriel is just a friend."

Lily smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry. As long as you are happy sis, I'm really happy for you regardless".

Alex felt a wave of relief wash over her. "Thank you, Lily. You're the best," she said, her gratitude evident in her eyes.

As they continued their walk, Alex couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and uncertainty about what the future held. She cherished her friendship with Lily.

Over the next few days, Alex and Gabriel continued to spend time together, going on casual dates and getting to know each other on a deeper level. Alex found herself falling for his kind-hearted nature and the way he made her feel cherished and valued.

One evening, as Alex sat with Lily in their dormitory, she couldn't contain her emotions any longer. "Lily, I have to tell you something," she began nervously.

Lily looked at her with curiosity. "Go on," she encouraged.

"I think... I think I'm starting to have stronger feelings for Gabriel," Alex admitted, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

Lily smiled knowingly. "That's wonderful, Alex. I'm really happy for you," she said sincerely. "It's okay to explore your feelings and see where they lead."

With Lily's support, Alex felt more at ease about her growing feelings for Gabriel. She realized that love and friendship could coexist, and that having someone special in her life didn't mean she had to lose what she already cherished with Lucas.

One evening, as the sun set over the campus, Alex found herself feeling a bit unsettled. The demands of university life had been keeping Lucas busy, leaving little time for their relationship. She missed the late-night conversations, the stolen moments of laughter, and the comfort of knowing he was there for her.

Feeling a mix of frustration and longing, Alex decided to call Lucas to express her feelings. She needed to talk to him about the strain she felt in their relationship and the longing for his presence.

As the phone rang, Lucas answered with a warm but slightly weary voice. "Hey, Alex. How's your day?" he asked.

Alex hesitated for a moment before speaking her mind. "I miss you, Lucas," she said softly. "I feel like we haven't had much time together lately, and it's been tough."

There was a pause on the other end of the line, and Alex could almost sense the weight of guilt settling in.

"I'm sorry, Alex," Lucas finally replied, his voice tinged with regret. "I've been caught up with my studies and research projects. I didn't mean to neglect our time together."

"I understand that you have a lot on your plate," Alex said, trying to keep her emotions in check. "But I miss us, Lucas. I miss the closeness we had before."

Lucas sighed, realizing the impact of his busy schedule on their relationship. "You're right, Alex. I should have made more time for us," he admitted. "I've been so focused on my studies that I didn't realize how it was affecting you."

Alex appreciated his honesty, but she couldn't shake off the feeling of emptiness. "I just want to feel like a priority in your life," she said gently. "I know university is important, but so are we."

"You are a priority, Alex," Lucas assured her earnestly. "I'll do better, I promise. I don't want to lose what we have."

A mix of relief and hope washed over Alex as she heard his commitment to improving their relationship. "I don't want to lose it either," she admitted, feeling vulnerable but determined.

Lucas paused for a moment before speaking again. "Let's make a plan, Alex," he suggested. "We can set aside specific times for us to spend together, even if it's just for a short while."

Alex felt her heart lift at his proposal. "That sounds like a good idea," she said. "As long as we have some quality time together, it will make a big difference."

"I agree," Lucas replied. "And I'll make an effort to be more present and attentive when we are together. You mean the world to me, and I don't want to take our relationship for granted."

Alex smiled, feeling reassured by his words. "Thank you, Lucas," she said. "I just needed to know that you still cared."

"I do, Alex. I care about you more than anything," Lucas said sincerely. "I'm sorry for not showing it as much lately."

As they continued to talk, Alex and Lucas delved into the heart of their feelings and the challenges they faced as a couple in the midst of a demanding university life. They made plans to spend more time together, even if it meant stealing moments between their busy schedules. Lucas shared his experience lately hanging out with Ethan, he told her about his adventures, and visit to the mountain.

In the days that followed, Lucas kept his promise and became more intentional about making time for Alex. They went on walks together, had lunch dates, and shared moments of laughter and joy. Their relationship began to thrive again, and they rediscovered the beauty of being present for each other.

As the semester drew to a close, Alex and Lucas's bond grew stronger. They faced the challenges of university life together, hand in hand, and they learned the value of communication and being there for each other in times of need.