Page 14 of Love: Take Two

He really needs to stop. I do my best not to react, to steady my breathing, but I'm a woman, after all. I can't withstand such direct compliments from someone like Noah Park.

In front of the building, we both hesitate. After an almost instantaneous rapport and hours of spirited conversation, it suddenly feels awkward. It's dark out, and only a few people scurry past along the dimly lit pathways.

"Do you want me to walk you home?" he asks, looking around the near-empty quad. "I'd feel better if I knew you got there safely."

"OK," I murmur, and head in the direction of my building. He trails behind me.

"Thanks again for agreeing to be my study partner. I understand the material well enough, but having a set time andsomeone to challenge me," he nudges my shoulder again, earning a smile, "really helps me stay focused. I'm the opposite of my brother."

"Which one?" I question. He chuckles in response.

"That feels like shade," he says with a sly grin. "Are you throwing shade, Awa?"

"Of course not," I tsk. "I'm actually jealous. I'm an only child, so I get 100% of my parents' focus. It's overwhelming at times."

He hums in acknowledgement.

"I could see that. And to answer your question, I meant Henry."

"He's your twin, right?"

"Older by six minutes," he grumbles. "He never lets me forget it."

"Are you really that different?" I push. "I mean, you're twins."

He scoffs.

"We shared a womb, and then a room growing up. That's about it. He's super uptight, super serious. I'm neither of those things."

"I don't know," I argue. "You clearly take your studies seriously; otherwise you wouldn't have reached out to make sure you don't fall behind. You moved across the country, seemingly against your family's wishes, to pursue your dreams. That's pretty serious. And if you grew up in the same house,you probably have similar values, even if they manifest in different ways."

Noah shrugs, his body language noncommittal while the crinkle between his brows indicates I may have overstepped. We walk in silence until I can no longer take it.

"If I offended you—."

He waves me off before I can finish.

"Not at all," he assures me. "You've given me a lot to think about."

I come to a stop in front of my dorm, wishing we weren't ending on a sour note.

"Well," I jerk my head towards the building behind me. "This is me."

He stands beside me, facing the dorm.

"Webb Tower," he nods slightly. "Nice. That was my first choice, but they were all out of rooms by the time my transfer was finalized."

"Oh yeah? Where do they have you instead?"

"Troy Hall," he answers. His hands are in his pockets, and things feel awkward once more.

"I thought that was only for grad students," I say, puzzled.

"I think it usually is, but apparently it was the only dorm with space." He toes a loose stone at our feet. "It's nice. My roommates are pretty messy, though."

"I couldn't handle that," I reply. "Part of why Sybil and I work is because we both keep a tidy house."

"NowI'mjealous," he says. "It sounds like your place will be way nicer than mine for studying. Assuming you're down to skip the library?"