Chapter 2: POV Andrea

We’re finally sitting on the train. I sigh as I bite into my strawberry jam croissant—my favorite flavor.

Getting back home and then rushing again to the station was exhausting… I feel so tired. On top of that, I even had to listen to my mom scolding me, telling me once again that I live with my head in the clouds.

But I don’t want to ruin this moment. I happily keep eating my croissant, letting my gaze wander around, while Lucas sits next to me.

He’s smiling in a satisfied way as he looks at me, but I can’t understand why.

“Why do you look so satisfied?”

With a soft voice, Lucas murmurs:

“You look like a little kid when you eat.”

I almost choked.

Is that really something you should say? That’s exactly what I want to tell him.

But just as I’m about to, I notice he’s now turned to the side, elbow resting on the train’s window ledge, staring outside.

Then, my phone rings. I take it from my pocket, and scrolling through the notifications, I notice two unread messages.

When I read the name “Sole,” I’m taken aback for a moment.

First message, 6:30 a.m.:

“Andrea, good morning! How are you today? I hope you slept better than last night.”

Second message, 7:15 a.m.:

“Andrea, I don’t think I’ll make it in time for the next stop, I overslept, so my mom will drive me instead. See you in class, say hi to Lucas for me. Love you. PS: don’t fight!”

I didn’t even hear the phone ring earlier… I feel guilty for not replying right away.

But the fact that she texted me, worried about me, makes me feel light and loved.

My expression definitely softens.

When I put my phone down and turn around, the smug look on Lucas’s face is gone: now he looks serious. I stare at him, curious about what’s on his mind, when suddenly I feel the weight of his head on my shoulder.

What is he doing?

A silence falls between us—awkward, at least for me. I quickly avert my gaze, biting my lips, until he lifts his head again, breaking the silence:

“When you stare straight ahead, you look like a sloth.”

My jaw drops as I picture myself with that slow, absentminded air. I grit my teeth, ready to reply, but before I can, he interrupts me:

“…But when you’re with Sole, your eyes are full of love.”

He leans closer, his warm breath brushing my ear, and whispers softly:

“You’re incredibly cute.”

Then he pulls away.

I freeze. Lucas puts on his headphones to listen to music, but his words keep buzzing in my head.

I glance around: I can feel the eyes of a few people on us. My ears grow hot, my hands tremble. I clutch my backpack and stare at the floor, shutting my eyes tight:

God, help me calm down…

The train sped on, yet it felt as if time had stopped—as if that moment didn’t want to let me go.