Chapter Two: Behind the Old Library

The lunch bell rang like a starting gun, sending students pouring into the hallways. Adrian’s stomach twisted. His heart wasn’t just racing—it was tap-dancing in a circus of panic and excitement.

He slipped out of the cafeteria and made his way toward the old library, a building half-hidden by ivy and shadows. Every step felt like it was slowing down, like the world was holding its breath… or maybe it was just him.

Elias was already there, leaning casually against the stone wall, arms crossed, storm-colored eyes tracking Adrian’s approach. He smiled—not that careless smile from class, but one that hinted at secrets and challenges.

“Hey,” Elias said softly. “You came.”

Adrian swallowed. “I… yeah. I thought I should.” His voice squeaked more than he intended.

Elias stepped closer. “Good. Because I need to explain something… important.”

Adrian’s chest tightened. “Okay… important sounds… scary.”

Elias chuckled, and the sound was warm enough to make Adrian’s knees feel like jelly. “Scary can be exciting too.”

He glanced around, then crouched slightly, as if the walls might be listening. “Your magic… it’s tied to your emotions. Every feeling you have can bend reality a little.”

Adrian blinked. “I… I did that in class? My pen… spinning?”

“Exactly,” Elias said, eyes glinting. “You just don’t know how to control it yet. That’s why… well, things might get messy.”

“Messy?” Adrian whispered, imagining desks flying, papers floating, maybe even cafeteria food erupting mid-air. He shivered.

Elias smiled. “Not if we practice. Together.”

Adrian’s heartbeat stuttered. Together. He wanted to ask if that meant what he thought it meant, but his words got tangled somewhere between panic and excitement.

Before he could protest—or confess—the world tilted slightly. A soft shimmer of air lifted the fallen leaves around the library, spiraling like tiny golden dancers. Adrian’s chest jumped.

“I… I didn’t—” he began, but Elias’s hand lightly touched his wrist. The shimmer froze.

“You see?” Elias whispered. “It’s your feelings, not your control. Your magic reacts first, asks questions later.”

Adrian stared at him, words failing. His cheeks burned—not from embarrassment alone. There was something in Elias’s gaze, steady and inviting, that made his pulse feel like a drumline.

“And,” Elias continued, voice lowering just enough to make Adrian lean in, “we might be… connected in ways you don’t understand yet.”

Adrian swallowed hard. “Connected… how?”

Elias didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he let a soft wind tousle his hair. Then he smiled that half-secret smile again. “We’ll figure that out. Step by step. But for now…” He pointed to a fallen leaf that floated upward between them. “Try feeling calm. Just calm.”

Adrian focused, forcing his emotions down like turning off a faucet. The leaf wavered, then slowly drifted back to the ground.

Elias grinned. “Not bad for your first try. And… you’re adorable when you try.”

Adrian felt his ears heat up. “I’m not—”

“You totally are,” Elias said, laughing softly. “But don’t worry. You’ll get used to this… and me.”

Adrian’s thoughts spun faster than any magic he could summon. He wanted to run, he wanted to shout, he wanted to just collapse into a puddle of flustered feelings. Instead, he nodded, letting the warm excitement—and the hint of danger—sink in.

Behind the old library, magic was real. And so was Elias.

And Adrian couldn’t tell which was more thrilling… or terrifying.

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