RED NOTES AND KISSES

The campus gardens were quiet, dotted with a few students lounging on benches or sprawled on the grass with their books.

Frida found a small bench tucked beneath a flowering tree and pulled out her notebook.

Studying outdoors wasn't something she often did, but the tranquility of the garden had drawn her in.

The rustling leaves and occasional chirp of a bird created a peaceful rhythm, lulling her into a sense of calm.

As she flipped through her notes, she allowed herself a faint smile. It wasn't much, but at least she had a moment to breathe.

Still, her mind wandered. The garden wasn't the library. And as her thoughts drifted, a couple sitting across from her decided it was the perfect moment to lean into a shameless kiss.

"Maybe I just need a break," she muttered, looking anywhere but at them.

By the time the sun dipped below the horizon, she'd packed up her things and strolled back toward the dorms.

The lamp-lit pathways were quiet, the evening air crisp and cool against her skin.

She'd achieved nothing.

But as she passed the library, her steps slowed.

Was she really going to avoid it because someone might've seen her doing something so reckless?

The pull was instinctive.

She finally summoned guts and stepped inside, only, it wasn't just to study.

Honestly, she couldn't resist the place.

Frida was going to be mature about this. Maybe she was overthinking things.

Besides, this was her space, and no one would make her abandon it.

But all that big talk didn't stop her heart from racing as she approached her desk, her palms damp with sweat.

Her steps faltered as she reached the corner she'd claimed the night before.

Her heart pounded like a drumline.

The desk was empty. No notes. No signs that anyone had been there.

A shaky breath escaped her lips, relief and disappointment twisting inside her chest.

She sat down, opened her textbook, and forced herself to focus.

To her surprise, it worked. Slowly, she pieced together the concepts her lecturer had rambled about earlier.

She should've been proud of herself.

And yet...

What was this feeling?

Disappointment? Longing? She scoffed, shaking her head. She must've lost her mind.

As she stuffed her books back into her bag, her eyes snagged on a small, crumpled red note.

Who left this? And why did it feel like they were watching her even now?

The bookshelves jolted slightly, and her bag tipped over.

Someone must've bumped into it.

Sighing in irritation, she bent down to pick up her things. But when she straightened, she froze.

Her breath caught.

There he was.

He walked past her corner, his backpack slung lazily over one shoulder, his dark hair falling messily over his forehead.

For the briefest moment, she swore she saw the faintest smile tug at his lips.

She was imagining things. She had to be.

Why was someone she hadn't spoken to in three years suddenly so noticeable?

The thought lingered as she wandered back to her dorm, her mind absent as she walked through the dimly lit hallways.

Standing in front of her door, she rummaged through her bag for her keys.

And then she saw it.

The red note pasted to her door:

You want it so bad.