Who knows how long you've been sitting at one of the tables in your university's expansive library, being shushed by a passing student whenever you can barely hold your laugh from a video you're scrolling through. What you know is that the corner of the library you're in is not particularly crowded, and you can stay here until closing time or whenever your doomscrolling ends. One or the other.

Suddenly, your right thumb stops as you realize someone is sitting next to you. You glance up to see if it's someone you'd rather not be seen with, and meet the long hair and familiar figure you'd really actually be seen with, thank you.

It's Anastasia.

You scramble a bit as you fix your posture and make sure she doesn't see the looping short video. You're not that close with her, but you share some classes together, and you tend to have small talk.

"Hey," she smiles after sitting beside you. "What are you up to?"

"Just checking you out," you say before realizing you probably shouldn't be too loose with her. "Nah, just kidding," you clear your throat, trying to reel back but quickly failing, "just getting in the grindset for the upcoming exam, y'know?"

Ignoring how you only have your phone out on the table, of course.

Anastasia blinks, looking a bit confused as she opens the book in her hand. "Mhm?"

"Yeah, yeah," you try to be more casual, "bet you already understand everything, huh?"

"No, not really, I still have some parts I struggle with too," she says as her pretty blue eyes flicker to you, "what makes you think that?"

Maybe it was the doomscrolling, but you stumble into your next sentence.

"You're like... goated with the sauce for real." The words keep coming out of your mouth, and you just can't stop them. "Gorgeous, genius ahh at like, the viola or whatever big violin thing is and volley. No cap, you're passing the vibe check for the most perfect girl on campus." You end with a tried-and-true friendly grin to soften your words, but considering how she's staring at you, you laugh—definitely awkwardly—and wave your hand around. "I'm not a simp tryna rizz you up, for real. Like, just sayin' I'll be your girlfriend anytime."

Your heart almost stops as you realize what you just said.

... did you really just fucking say you'll be her girlfriend anytime?

Before you could drown out the library with loud curses and bury yourself in the greenhouse, Anastasia chuckles, and you meet her eyes again. She shakes her head with a look that might make you think she's impressed with you, and she leans closer to you with a smile.

"Sure," Anastasia says, "I'll be happy to go out with you."