More than me

Gracie could not hide the surprised expression on her face, her eyes widening in disbelief. She never imagined she would see her savior from the park again, the person who had helped her when she felt lost and overwhelmed.

Memories of their brief encounter flooded her mind, and she had thought about him from time to time, wondering what he was up to and if their paths would ever cross again. Yet, never did she think that fate would bring them together in the bustling arcade.

"Yeah, sure, I want a partner for the game," he replied to her earlier question, breaking her from her trance. His voice was warm and inviting, laced with enthusiasm, instantly easing the nervous flutter in her stomach.

Gracie felt a surge of excitement at the prospect of playing together, the earlier disappointment of being alone quickly dissipating.

As she studied his face more closely, she noticed that he seemed to not recognize her, judging from the puzzled but friendly expression he wore. Although a hint of disappointment flickered in her heart, she quickly brushed it aside.

It was fine, she reassured herself. As long as she got to see him again and share this experience, that was enough for her. Gracie smiled, feeling a mix of excitement and nostalgia as they prepared to play together.

"Is this your first time playing the game?" Gracie asked, wanting to ensure she was not playing with someone who was inexperienced. She hoped for a partner who could match her enthusiasm and skill, and her curiosity bubbled to the surface as she awaited his response.

"No, it's not! I've been playing this game ever since I discovered it five years ago," he replied, his eyes sparkling with excitement. An amusing smile spread across his face, clearly entertained by her question. It was as if he found her concern both endearing and slightly humorous, and Gracie couldn't help but chuckle at his reaction.

His smile was breathtaking, radiating warmth and confidence in a way that made Gracie momentarily forget to breathe. For a heartbeat, the world around her faded away, and all she could focus on was the genuine joy in his expression. It was as if everything else had disappeared, replaced by the electric connection she felt in that moment. When reality crashed back down, she quickly shook her head, trying to regain her composure.

"L-let's play now then," she stuttered, feeling a flush of warmth creep up her cheeks for no reason at all. Embarrassment washed over her, and she couldn't quite understand why she felt so flustered. Was it the thrill of playing with him, or was it the undeniable chemistry she sensed between them? Regardless, she was determined not to let her nervousness get the best of her.

As they settled into their positions, Gracie took a deep breath, trying to steady her racing heart. The anticipation of the game mixed with the excitement of sharing this experience with him ignited a spark within her. She glanced at him, hoping to match his energy and enthusiasm, ready to dive into the game and create a memorable moment together.

Thankfully, they were both fiercely competitive as they played the game, each giving the other a hard time with every round. The arcade was alive with the sounds of flashing lights and energetic music, but all that faded into the background as they focused entirely on their match. Gracie felt a rush of adrenaline with every move, her heart racing as she concentrated on outsmarting her opponent. It was exhilarating to engage in such spirited competition, and she found herself enjoying every second of it.

The game ended in a tie after both had been thoroughly exhausted. They had pushed each other to the limits, with Gracie winning one round and the guy retaliating by winning the next. There was no room for relenting; each match felt like a battle of wits and skill, and neither wanted to back down. As the final scores flashed across the screen, they shared a moment of triumph and camaraderie, both panting slightly from the intensity of the game.

"Wow, you're really good!" he exclaimed, his breath coming in short gasps while wearing a wide grin that lit up his face. "You really gave me a hard time; I almost lost!" His playful tone and genuine admiration made Gracie's heart swell with pride, and she couldn't help but feel a warm glow at his compliment.

This made Gracie chuckle, the sound bubbling up from her chest as she met his gaze. "I guess that means we're evenly matched then!" she replied, her eyes sparkling with delight. There was something incredibly satisfying about being challenged by someone who clearly enjoyed the game as much as she did.

"By the way, I never got your name," he remarked, his polite smile radiating warmth. "I'm Adrian; what about you?" His friendly demeanor made Gracie feel at ease, and she quickly reciprocated his smile, grateful for the easy rapport they had built during their game.

"I'm Gracie," she replied, keeping her answer brief but sincere. There was something about Adrian that made her feel comfortable, and she found herself wanting to know more about him.

"Woah, Gracie," he repeated her name, a look of genuine appreciation on his face. "That's a very nice name! And why do I feel like we've met before?" His brow furrowed slightly in thought, curiosity dancing in his eyes as he tried to place her. Gracie could sense that he felt an inexplicable connection, but she wondered if he would remember the circumstances that linked them.

"Thank you! Your name is nice as well," she said, her heart fluttering at the compliment. "And yes, we've met before." She could see the surprise grow on his face, and she felt a tinge of hope that he might remember their encounter.

"Really? Where?" he asked, his curiosity evident. His eagerness made her smile, but it also stirred a pang of hesitation within her. She knew that revealing the nature of their previous meeting might dampen the lighthearted mood they had just built.

"You don't seem to remember, but it was at the park months ago," she stated, her voice softening as she continued. "You helped me when a man made me feel uncomfortable." As the words left her lips, she felt a wave of vulnerability wash over her. The memory of that day was still vivid, and although Adrian had been her savior, recalling the event made her feel a bit down.

She could see the realization dawning on Adrian's face, and she braced herself for his reaction. Would he recall the tension of that moment? Would he understand how much his intervention had meant to her? Gracie took a deep breath, hoping that their newfound connection could withstand the weight of that memory, for she truly enjoyed their time together and wanted to move forward positively.

Adrian seemed to think carefully before choosing his next words, clearly aware that the event was something she did not want to dwell on. After a moment of contemplation, he smiled brightly, wanting to ease her nerves and shift the atmosphere back to something lighter.

"I remember now! No wonder you seemed familiar," he exclaimed, his tone light and playful. "I'm so sorry; I'm not really good with faces, but now I definitely won't forget your face!" His attempt at humor brought a sense of relief, and Gracie felt the tension in her shoulders begin to dissipate.

Her reply came out as a soft chuckle, a blend of amusement and embarrassment. "Y-you don't have to say sorry; I would have forgotten me too," she stuttered, her cheeks flushing a deep shade of pink. The warmth of his words made her heart flutter, but it was also slightly mortifying to admit that she felt the same way.

"Are you a freshman?" he asked, keen to redirect the conversation away from the sensitive topic. "Although I'm not good with faces, I'm sure this is the first time I've laid my eyes on you on campus." His question was infused with genuine interest, and Gracie appreciated his effort to change the subject to something more lighthearted.

Feeling a spark of excitement at the thought of discussing her experiences, she nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, I just started this semester!, I'm studying law and It's been a bit overwhelming, but I'm loving it so far," she replied, her initial embarrassment fading as she found comfort in the new direction of the conversation.

"Wow, you're studying law? Me too!" he exclaimed, barely able to contain his excitement. The enthusiasm in his voice was infectious, and Gracie couldn't help but smile at his enthusiasm. "I'm currently in my third year, and while school can be quite overwhelming during your first years, you'll get used to it eventually," he offered, his tone friendly and reassuring.

Gracie listened intently, grateful for his advice. "Law is also a very interesting course. A lot of people say it's hard, but it's not! Once you've gotten your way around it, everything will fall into place," he continued, his confidence evident. His words sparked a sense of hope within her; perhaps the challenges she faced were merely stepping stones along her path.

She felt a wave of relief wash over her, glad that they were studying the same course. It was comforting to know she wasn't alone in her journey. "I never expected you to study law," she admitted, her voice filled with genuine surprise. The thought of having someone like Adrian in her corner made her feel more at ease about the road ahead.

As they continued to talk about their experiences in the law program, Gracie found herself becoming increasingly interested in Adrian's perspective. She appreciated his insights and felt inspired by his passion for the subject. It was refreshing to connect with someone who understood the challenges she faced and could offer guidance.

Their shared enthusiasm for law forged a deeper connection between them, and she looked forward to learning more from him in the days to come.

As they delved deeper into their conversation about their law course, the energy in the arcade buzzed around them. Suddenly, a voice echoed through the space, breaking their focus. "Attention, everyone! The arcade will be closing shortly!" The announcement jolted them back to reality, and they both glanced at each other in surprise. They had been so engrossed in their discussion that they hadn't noticed how much time had passed.

Reluctantly, they made their way out of the arcade, the atmosphere feeling a bit bittersweet. "It was nice talking to you, Gracie. I'm really glad we met again," Adrian remarked, bidding her goodbye with a smile that was contagious, lighting up his face in a way that made her heart skip a beat.

"See you around!" he added cheerfully, and Gracie felt a warmth spread through her as she waved goodbye, wishing that their conversation could have lasted just a bit longer.

After exchanging goodbyes, they parted ways, each feeling a little lighter than before. Gracie walked toward her dorm, a smile lingering on her lips as she replayed their conversation in her mind. Upon arriving, she found Emma waiting for her.

"Hey! I'm so sorry for missing your call earlier," Emma expressed, her voice laced with regret. "I promise I'll make it up to you later!" Gracie found Emma's gesture sweet and reassuring, a reminder of their close friendship.

"It's really not a big deal," Gracie insisted, brushing off the apology with a smile. She appreciated Emma's concern, but she was still riding the high from her earlier conversation with Adrian.

After their brief chat, Gracie headed to the bathroom for a refreshing shower, letting the warm water wash away the day's stress.

Once she felt rejuvenated, she sat down at her desk, ready to focus on her studies. With an upcoming test looming over her, she gathered her notes and textbooks, diving into her reading with determination. However, as she flipped through the pages, a wave of regret washed over her. She couldn't shake the thought of not getting Adrian's number earlier.