After the biology classes, she stepped out of the main building with a brown coat settled around her shoulders. Her curious, slightly anticipatory gaze wandered over the students, looking for Theo. The weather was quite nice — not too warm, but not as cold as it could be at the start of October. There was a mild wind with light sun. The sky wasn't very cloudy. He was standing under a nearby tree, wearing a coat just like hers, only longer and black, leaning against the trunk and scrolling through his phone. He quickly put it away when he saw her coming out. He couldn't help but notice how good she looked in her now more mature clothes. They suited her well.

  ?Hey.? he called out with a smile tugging at the corner of his lips, as soon as their eyes met.

  ?Hey.? she answered quickly, smiling as well, hurrying towards the stairs. ?You waiting long??

  ?Long enough to realise I forgot my gloves.? he held up his bare hands, flexing his fingers slightly. ?But worth it. You're even later than Charlotte used to be.? he shoved his hands into his pockets, glancing at her from the side.

  ?Sorry, the teacher kept us longer...? she said, notice his hands disappearing into his pockets, hearing her older sister's name, couldn't help but feel an old pang of jealousy. ?I'll buy you a cake for that.?

  He shifted, closing the small distance between them. The café was near enough that neither of them had to think about the way. ?Still hate coffee, or did you finally grow into it like a proper adult??

  ?Still. But I will get a tea.? she added, as her autumn boots clicked above the ground.

  ?Tea, huh?? he glanced at her, smirking. ?Still the baby of the group, ordering chamomile like you're afraid of caffeine.? he brushed a leaf off his shoulder — autumn was starting to settle in for good. – ?And don't worry. I wasn't waiting long. Besides... wouldn't want to scare you off before we even get there, little alchemist. ?

  The air between them hummed with something warm — familiar, but newly charged.

  ?Chamomile is good for your stomach. And relaxing after stressful days...? she defended herself, feeling that old label of the kid being pressed onto her again. ?I heard the cake is good, and I don't mind. You already bought me enough sweets back then.? she remembered all those moments from her childhood. If she owed her first cavity to anyone, it was definitely him and Aunt Marnie.

  ?Relaxing?? He shot her a sideways glance with amusement dancing in his eyes. ?Back then, it was ice cream after every exam. Now you're all grown up with your health teas and responsible choices.?

  He paused at the café door, holding it open for her. ?But just so we're clear — those sweets were bribes to get Charlotte to stop dragging me to her drama club rehearsals. You were just... collateral damage.?

  ?So I was the trap, huh?? she glanced at him as she slipped past the door.

  He feigned offense, pressing a hand to his chest.

  ?Trap is such a harsh word. Think of it more like... a pleasant diversion.? he followed her inside, heading for the counter to order his espresso. He kept an eye on her as she studied the selection of teas, her face set in the same serious concentration she had when choosing a new set of markers.

  A faint smirk touched his lips when he noticed the familiar wrinkle between her brows. ?I remember when Charlotte used to force you to drink milk with honey before bed.? his expression softened as he leaned back, watching her. ?Guess you've traded that in for chamomile and green tea.?

  She glanced at him from the corner of her eye as she placed her order, remembering to ask for two pieces of cake. ?Well... I'm a bit more composed now.? she admitted, as a hint of fluster slipped into her voice.

  He noticed that, pretending to study the pastry counter with an unnecessary amount of concentration. ?Composure, huh?? he repeated in a slightly teasing tone. ?So no more jumping on the couch and demanding piggy-back rides whenever you saw me??

  She blushed hard at that, couldn't help but feel ashamed now. ?I am too old for that...? she said quickly, grabbing her tea as soon as it was ready and drifting off to look for a place to sit, anything to avoid his face for a moment longer. Even without looking, she could feel his amusement.

  He chuckled at her reaction, watching her duck her head behind the cup. ?Don't be embarrassed.? he said, softening his voice now. He reached out, gently straightening the collar of her coat, as they made their way to the small table near the window. ?It was cute back then. And I suppose... part of me misses the little nuisance you used to be.? he leaned back in his chair, one ankle on his knee, studying her over the rim of his espresso cup.

  As he adjusted her collar, her heart skipped. The moment tugged her back into an old, unwanted familiarity. He was pampering her... like a child. Wasn't he? She pulled herself together and sat down, calmer now, lifting her gaze to him. He was watching her from across the table, relaxed in his chair, a little too at ease. She reached for her fork, cutting a small piece of cake.

  ?So... how have you been?? she asked, softly, getting a bite.

  He watched her for a moment — the way her curls slipped over her shoulder as she leaned forward, how deliberate the movement was, as if she were trying to prove she wasn't that reckless kid anymore.

  ?Not bad.? he said, his gaze still on her. ?Just surviving the grind. Late nights, noisy roommates. The usual.?

  He paused, his eyes lingering on her fork for a heartbeat too long before lifting to meet hers again.

  Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

  ?But I won't lie... seeing you today — it threw me a little.? he leaned forward slightly, his voice dropping into that familiar, low, warm teasing tone. ?Though I'll admit, I didn't think you'd still be this cute when you grew up.?

  ?And what's that supposed to mean...?? she asked, glaring at him, as he said that, a bit caught off her composure now.

  ?It means...? he said slowly, holding her gaze, a faint smirk playing at his lips. ?That I walked into this café expecting to see Charlotte's little sister — the one who used to hide behind bookshelves just to watch me from afar — and instead... I got you.?

  He took a slow sip of his espresso, never breaking eye contact.

  ?And now I'm wondering if that shy kid was always this pretty... or if you're just trying to distract me with tea and cake so you don't have to admit you missed me.?

  ?I never said I didn't. ? she admitted, ignoring the compliment behind his words. It was like from grandma, seeing the grandchild, after a long time. Nothing to search into. Every older person she met while growing up was saying things like that... She shouldn't keep attention on it. ?It was sad when you stopped coming.?

  He caught the note of disappointment in her voice, feeling a weird pang in his chest. He was expecting a joke, a witty comeback — not the quiet honesty of that confession. He cleared his throat, setting the cup back down with a soft click.

  ?I know.? he said seriously. ?I felt bad about it, believe me. Charlotte and I... we just... grew apart, I guess.? A faint pull touched the corner of his lips. ?And now here we are. You're all grown up, calling me grandpa like you're not afraid of me at all.? he added, with warmth and an unspoken admission.

  ?Well, what do I have to fear now? You will no longer give me a flick on the forehead for that.? she admitted, smiling a bit proudly. She wasn't... about to ask what exactly had happened with him and her sister's group of friends. She had a feeling she wasn't exactly want to know. There was no use talking about it now anyway.

  He couldn't help but chuckle at that, shaking his head. She was right, of course. Gone were the days when he could ruffle her hair and call her a gremlin. She was all grown up now... and the fact that this little kid was now a young woman with her own college classes, her own mature clothes, her own perfume that was making his brain short-circuit... it was a strange feeling. A good feeling.

  ?You're getting bolder, sunshine.? he took another sip of his espresso. ?I like it.?

  ?I was always bold, I just couldn't keep up with you all. Since you were older.? she said, meaning their old group of friends.

  He raised an eyebrow at that, a smirk playing on his lips.

  ?You call hiding behind the couch and jumping on the bed while we were trying to study being bold?? he leaned back in the chair, watching her with amusement. ?I seem to recall you getting carried into the kitchen in tears after seeing a spider in the bathroom.?

  She immediately froze, looking at him, flustered all over again. ?The spider was huge...?

  ?Huge? ? he snorted, shaking his head with a grin. ?Looked like a speck next to your scream. Charlotte nearly dropped her phone filming you. But hey?— he leaned in slightly – ?at least I was the one who scooped you up and carried you out. Didn't even flinch at the giant beast, did I?? his eyes sparkled mischievously. ?Guess someone had to be your knight in shining armor. ?

  ?I still hate her for filming that...? she mumbled, remembering that time. She despised how Charlotte and her friends made fun of her for weeks afterward... But... she liked the moment in the video when he was carrying her in his arms... She had watched it many times in the past, actually.

  He chuckled, catching her gaze, turning distant as she stared at the window. He knew exactly which memory she was reliving. He still remembered that moment, too. Her, clinging like a little koala bear, face buried in his shoulder and legs wrapped around his waist as he carried her into the kitchen, teasing her in a soft voice and trying to make her laugh. It was the same way she'd clung to his arm during scary movies years ago... and secretly, he'd loved it.

  ?Well, it's not like you never asked me to carry you.? he said casually, swirling the last of his espresso. ?Even without spiders involved.? his voice dropped into that low, playful tone again — one that used to make her heart skip when she was younger. And judging by the way she suddenly blinked and looked down at her tea, it still did. ?Just don't tell me you've outgrown needing lifts.? he smirked. ?Wouldn't want my knight duties to go unfulfilled.?

  ?Very funny. I'll be fine now. I have a driver's license.? she pointed out, sipping, knowing he was teasing, not wanting to give him too much satisfaction, as she could have, when she was a child.

  ?Driver's license, huh?? he arched an eyebrow, still amused. ?So you're telling me the same girl who screamed over a spider can now handle a two-ton metal machine at seventy miles an hour?? he huffed. ?Guess I'll have to see it to believe it. Maybe you'll give me a ride sometime, when I'm feeling brave.?

  She glared at him. ?I can drop you off on the way back. I have my car parked down the street.?

  He chuckled again, unable to help himself at her defiant stare. She really had turned strong-willed and independent. He finally finished his espresso, studying her from the rim of his cup with a smirk. ?Drop me off, eh?? he leaned back in his chair, crossing one leg over his knee. ?How generous.? he murmured in a knowing tone. ?Just promise not to scream if we see a spider in the car.?

  ?You're enjoying that, don't you?? she said, wrinkling her face a little, clearly seeing the fun in his eyes.

  He let out a dry laugh with a wolfish grin at the corner of his lips. ?Enjoying seeing you not-so-little anymore? A bit, yes.? his gaze roamed over her face once again, admiring the mascara framing her lashes, before he finally reached for the cake. ?Makes taunting you more fun now. You know how to bite back instead of hiding behind the sofa.?

  She narrowed her brows further. ?Try it... and I'll steal your cane.?

  He let out a bark of laughter, almost choking on the cake, feigning a look of mock offense. ?You wouldn't dare.? he knew perfectly well she was bluffing. But the threat was still adorable. God, how was he supposed to keep it together around this grown version of that kid? Who the hell had even given her the right to be so cheeky and cute at the same time?

  ?You're lucky you don't have it.? she said, sipping her tea. ?Yet.? she added, emphasizing the implication.

  ?Yet.? he drew the word out slowly, leaning forward with a smirk that could melt snow. ?Careful, sunshine. One day I'll actually have a cane... and then where will you be?? he winked — actually winked — and took the last bite of cake like he hadn't just dropped a tiny bomb on her pulse. ?Still coming to visit your old grandpa in the nursing home??

  She tensed up at that question, seeing it play out in her imagination. She couldn't help feeling an uneasy pang in her heart. Shaking it off quickly, before she could think better of it. ?Why would I visit someone who never visited me before?? she said, quickly teasing back.

  He feigned a look of hurt, chuckling.

  ?Ouch. You really know where to hit a fella.? his expression softened a bit as he leaned back in his chair, holding her gaze with those dark eyes. ?You're right, though. I should've come around more. But—? he paused, choosing his words carefully. ?Sometimes growing up gets messy, you know? Things happen. People fade out of each other's lives. – he averted his gaze.?

  She looked at him, feeling she'd gotten too harsh. She pulled her teacup closer. ?I'm just joking. I wasn't expecting you to come over... after your fight with Charlotte.? she spoke the hard truth.

  He paused at that, taken aback by how casually she mentioned the fight. She said it like it was the most logical explanation — like she'd spent years trying to rationalize him not being around.

  That stung more than he cared to admit.