~ Chapter 9 ~
Reed didn't talk much on the walk back from the study group.
Not because anything was wrong.
Not because anything was overwhelming.
But because his brain felt... full.
Ryan was rambling about how he deserved extra credit for emotional participation. Vinod was arguing that emotional participation was not a measurable academic metric. Reed walked a half-step behind them, hands shoved into his hoodie pockets, replaying moments he hadn't meant to memorize.
Eva sliding her notebook toward Lila.
Eva explaining a formula like she had all the time in the world.
Eva being nervous but also calm in herself. Her big brown eyes as expressive as ever. It was like a door into her heart, mind and soul.
Eva looking up at him.
Really looking up.
It didn't feel like a lightning strike.
It felt slow.
Steady.
The kind of thing that crept in quietly and then refused to leave.
By the time they got back to the apartment, Reed kicked off his shoes and dropped his keys onto the counter, letting the familiar noise ground him.
Home.
Felix was in the kitchen, stirring something in a pan that smelled suspiciously good. Caleb was stretched out on the couch scrolling on his phone. Ryan tossed his backpack near the door and immediately flopped beside him.
"Study group sucked significantly less than expected," Ryan announced.
Caleb looked up. "That sentence alone is concerning."
Vinod set his laptop on the table. "It was functional."
Felix turned. "That's basically glowing praise from you."
Ryan pointed toward Reed. "It was because of Eva."
Reed froze internally.
Caleb raised an eyebrow. "Who's Eva?"
Ryan grinned. "Computer Science girl. Quiet. Smart. Tiny. Lowkey runs stats. She is one of girls Cassie is bringing to the next game."
Vinod nodded. "She explains things well. Patient. Doesn't make you feel stupid."
Felix leaned against the counter. "So... a unicorn."
Caleb smiled a little. "Sounds like a good person."
Reed grabbed a bottle of water and took a long sip.
Ryan squinted at him. "You were staring at her like she invented oxygen."
"I was not," Reed said.
Vinod didn't look up. "You absolutely were."
Felix smirked. "So you like her."
Reed sighed.
"I don't know," he said honestly. "She's just... different."
Caleb glanced at him. "Different how?"
Reed thought about it. "She doesn't try to impress anyone. She just helps. And somehow that makes everyone else feel better."
Ryan nodded slowly. "Yeah. That tracks."
Vinod added, "Also... she invited everyone to her place for the next study group."
Reed's head snapped up.
"She did?"
Ryan grinned. "Yeah. Got flustered about it too. Started talking about home-cooked food like she accidentally exposed a state secret."
Felix's eyes lit up. "Home-cooked?"
Vinod nodded. "Said she likes cooking."
Caleb smirked. "Of course she does."
Reed's chest felt warm.
Not in a loud way.
In a quiet, steady way.
The idea of Eva in her own space.
Comfortable.
Cooking.
Inviting them.
It felt... personal.
More personal than he was ready to unpack.
Ryan leaned back. "I'm going for the food. Staying for the vibes."
Felix pointed at Reed. "You're going because you want to see Eva."
Reed didn't answer.
Which was answer enough.
Later that night, Reed sat on the edge of his bed, elbows resting on his knees, re-wrapping the athletic tape around his fingers out of habit.
Tomorrow was a big practice.
Two days from now was a conference game.
Coach had been riding them hard all week.
Reed loved basketball.
But lately, it felt heavier.
Not the game.
The expectations.
Everyone assumed basketball was his whole identity.
That he wanted the league.
That he wanted the spotlight.
Truth was... he didn't.
He liked engineering.
He liked building things.
Fixing things.
Figuring out how stuff worked.
Basketball was something he did well.
Engineering felt like something he was.
Eva hadn't looked at him like just a basketball player.
She hadn't even mentioned it.
She'd just... talked to him.
Like he was normal.
That stuck with him more than he wanted to admit.
His phone buzzed.
Dad.
Reed answered.
"How's school, Reedino?" his dad asked.
"Busy," Reed said. "Had a study group."
His dad chuckled. "Look at you being academic."
Reed huffed. "Don't spread that rumor."
They talked about his brother, about money, about his grandparents, and his next visit home.
Before hanging up, his dad said, "You sound good tonight."
Reed paused. "Yeah?"
"Yeah. Lighter."
Reed stared at the wall.
"Maybe," he said.
After the call ended, Reed lay back on his bed, one arm tucked behind his head, staring at the ceiling fan as it spun lazily above him.
He didn't know what this thing with Eva was.
He didn't know where it was going.
But she made his world feel a little less heavy.
And right now, that felt like enough.
Before falling asleep, Reed sent a text.
Reed: Let me know when the next study group is.
Vinod replied almost immediately.
Vinod: Same time next week. At Eva's place.
Reed stared at the message.
Then set his phone down.
Same time next week.
Eva's place.
Home-cooked food.
He had a game to focus on first.
But for the first time in a long time, Reed was looking forward to something that had nothing to do with basketball.
And that felt like the beginning of something.