Chapter 183: coincidence I

Chapter 183: Chapter 183: coincidence I

The walk to the Humanities Building was quiet.

Damian carried Vivienne’s bag over one shoulder.

He still couldn’t quite believe he was doing it.

He had never carried a girl’s bag before.

Not once.

Not for his cousins, not for any type of friend or acquiantance, perhaps the only exception was his mother.

And now he was walking across campus with Vivienne’s slung casually over his shoulder as though this were something he did every day.

He must look ridiculous.

He felt ridiculous.

Especially because he was painfully aware of why he was doing it.

I want her to see me differently.

That was the point.

So he had decided to try.

Perhaps this was what people meant when they said actions spoke louder than words.

He could start with the things he was actually capable of doing.

Walking her to class.

Carrying her bag.

Being attentive.

Being closer.

Nothing outrageous.

Just enough to remind her that he wasn’t merely the familiar friend who had always been there.

Without actually saying the words.

Still...

He couldn’t deny that carrying her bag felt strangely intimate.

He glanced sideways at her.

Vivienne seemed perfectly comfortable.

Of course she was.

But—

Did she notice?

Damian looked at her again.

Was she noticing that he was acting differently?

That he was actually trying?

Why did she seem so comfortable?

Maybe she hadn’t noticed at all.

Maybe he was simply too familiar to her.

Maybe she had known him for so long that even when he did something different, something that felt painfully obvious to him, she simply didn’t see it.

Damian almost laughed at himself.

Of course.

He was the one making a fool of himself over here.

Carrying her bag like this.

Trying to make his intentions obvious without actually saying anything.

Because he couldn’t say the words.

Not yet.

Maybe not ever.

What if he did?

What if he actually told her how he felt, and she laughed?

That aside, just imagining himself saying it out loud was enough to make him cringe. He couldn’t.

Also, they were friends.

If he said it and she rejected him, there would be no taking it back.

No pretending it had never happened.

Game over.

So this was safer.

Actions.

He could do actions.

And if actions really did speak louder than words, then maybe he just needed to make them loud enough.

Maybe eventually, she’d hear him.

Damian adjusted the strap on his shoulder and continued walking.

Whatever.

If she hadn’t noticed this time, then he’d try something else next time.

He was already here.

He might as well see this through.

He could feel eyes following him.

But at this point, whatever anyone else thought—

He didn’t care.

For once, he wasn’t going to let embarrassment stop him.

They eventually reached the Humanities Building.

Vivienne slowed near the entrance.

"This is me."

Damian nodded.

"Right."

He slipped the bag from his shoulder and held it out to her.

Vivienne reached for the strap.

Their fingers grazed.

Again.

That tiny contact sent an entirely disproportionate jolt through him.

Damian immediately released the bag.

"Here."

"Thanks."

Vivienne slipped the strap over her shoulder.

She smiled at him, looking genuinely pleased.

Damian felt the corner of his mouth lift.

"See you later."

"See you."

She took a step toward the entrance before stopping.

"Damian."

He looked back.

"What’s your next club activity again?"

"Strategic Management Society."

"Oh."

Vivienne tilted her head.

"Where is that?"

"Business Building."

"Okay."

She nodded.

"See you later, then."

"See you."

Vivienne disappeared through the doors.

Damian watched her for a moment before turning away.

He had no idea whether any of that had actually worked.

But at least—

He had tried.

--

Vivienne entered the Literature Society’s clubroom and took her usual seat.

She placed her bag beside her chair and glanced toward the clock.

There was still some time before the afternoon session began.

Her thoughts, however, had already wandered elsewhere.

Christopher.

She wondered if he had made it back to campus yet.

He’d been having lunch somewhere outside the university.

Maybe he’s already back.

Her hand drifted toward her bag.

She took out her phone and opened their conversation.

The last message was still there.

Christopher: Sure. Enjoy your lunch.

A small smile appeared on her face.

She’d told herself she wasn’t waiting for his reply.

Apparently, she had been.

Vivienne hesitated for a moment.

Should she text him again?

She had only just said goodbye.

But now she was back at her afternoon club.

There was no harm in saying hello.

She began typing.

Vivienne: I just got to my afternoon club.

She paused.

Then added:

Vivienne: How about you? Are you in your club already?

She sent it.

Her eyes remained on the screen.

While waiting, her thoughts drifted back to the morning.

So Christopher was in the Fencing Club.

She still didn’t know where the building was.

She ought to find out sometime.

Not because she was looking for him.

She simply wanted to know.

That was all.

Her phone buzzed.

Vivienne immediately looked down.

Christopher: Not yet. I just got back to campus.

Christopher: I’m heading there now.

Her expression brightened.

So he was back.

She smiled before typing another message.

Vivienne: Oh, I see. What club do you have this afternoon?

The reply came a moment later.

Christopher: University Publications Society.

Vivienne blinked.

Publications?

That caught her attention.

Vivienne: Really? I didn’t know you were part of that.

Christopher: I am. We handle the university journal and some of the annual publications.

Vivienne smiled.

That was actually interesting.

She was in the Literature Society herself.

Maybe they had more in common than she’d realized.

She looked toward the girl sitting beside her.

"Excuse me."

Her seatmate glanced over.

"Yes?"

"Do you know where the University Publications Society meets?"

The girl thought for a moment.

"Publications?"

"Yeah."

"It’s in the Humanities Annex."

Vivienne’s eyes widened slightly.

"Really?"

"Yes. It’s just down the hall from here."

Vivienne glanced toward the doorway.

It’s nearby.

That was...

Convenient.

Very convenient.

She tried not to smile too obviously.

"Oh. I didn’t know that."

Her seatmate gave her a curious look.

"Why?"

"No reason."

Vivienne returned her attention to her phone.

She typed one last message.

Vivienne: I see. I’ll let you get to your club. Talk to you later.

She sent it.

Almost immediately, the warning bell sounded.

The professor entered the room.

Vivienne slipped her phone into her bag.

She straightened in her seat and tried to focus.

But her thoughts kept drifting.

The Publications Society was nearby.

Very nearby.

Which meant—

Well.

If they happened to cross paths after the session...

That would be a coincidence.

Nothing more.

--

Halfway through the session, Vivienne raised her hand.

"May I be excused for a moment?"

The professor nodded.

Vivienne stepped out into the corridor and headed toward the restroom.

Once inside, she stood before the mirror.

She looked at her reflection.

Her hair was slightly messy from the morning.

Nothing terrible.

Still—

She fixed it.

She smoothed a few strands into place.

Adjusted the collar of her blouse.

Checked her appearance from one side, then the other.

She paused.

What am I doing?

She wasn’t preparing to meet Christopher.

She was simply...

Making herself presentable.

There was nothing wrong with that.

After all, she’d spent the morning at the Equestrian Club.

She didn’t want to walk around looking disheveled.

That was all.

Vivienne gave herself one last look before returning to the classroom.

Her seatmate watched her sit down.

"Did you do something to your hair?"

Vivienne blinked.

"No."

"You were gone for a while."

"I just fixed it."

Her seatmate looked unconvinced.

Vivienne ignored the look.

--

When the Literature Society session finally ended, Vivienne packed her things quickly.

She knew exactly which direction the Publications Society was located.

And there was no reason not to take that route.

It was on the way.

Technically.

She stepped into the corridor.

Then slowed slightly.

Students were beginning to spill out of their respective rooms.

Vivienne glanced down the hallway.

Nothing.

She continued walking.

She knew what she was doing.

She had deliberately found out where Christopher’s club was.

She had deliberately chosen this route.

She was giving herself a chance to run into him.

There was nothing accidental about it.

But if they happened to cross paths, she could still call it a coincidence.

Vivienne adjusted her hair once more.

Then stopped herself.

Enough.

She was already trying hard enough.

She continued down the corridor, trying to look completely casual.

Her heart, however, had begun beating a little faster.

She had no idea whether Christopher would actually be there.

But if he was—

Well.

It would be nice to see him.

Just for a moment.

Vivienne allowed herself a small smile.

At least she was honest with herself.

She wanted to see him.

That was all.

Meanwhile, several corridors away, the University Publications Society was preparing to dismiss its members.

And Vivienne had no idea how close she actually was to finding out whether her carefully arranged "coincidence" would happen