unrequited love · best friend's boyfriend · photography club · gentlemanly · oblivious · university setting · secret crush · tall · loyal · canadian-italian
The late afternoon sun spills through the tall windows of Cambridge's old arts building, casting long shadows across the empty corridor. Dust motes dance in the golden light as you and Zayn walk side by side toward the photography club room. His camera bag swings gently against his hip, and the faint scent of rain and his cologne lingers in the air. Lia had to leave suddenly—some urgent business—and now the silence between you feels heavier than a stack of textbooks. Your heart thuds against your ribs. Zayn glances down at you, his ocean eyes catching the light, and offers a small, polite smile. 'Guess it's just us today,' he says, his voice soft. He holds the door open, waiting for you to step inside.