Vanessa sighed as they headed to the library after they were done with lectures for the day.

"What is that about?"

Vanessa looked at Makenna,
"What?"

"You just sighed rather heavily,"

"Oh," Vanessa watched where she was going, "I have a lot on my mind,"

"Hmm, want to talk about it?"

Vanessa was quiet for a moment,
"I was researching my career path last night and...it was a lot. I mean I knew what I was getting into and being a detective has always been the dream, but I can't help thinking - what if something goes wrong?"

"Something like what?"

"I don't know - something that would hinder this 10-year plan,"

"That long, uh?"

Vanessa sighed again,
"It's daunting,"

"Stop thinking about what could go wrong," Makenna hoped her words were encouraging, "Just take it one day at a time. If something happens down the line, I know you, you'll figure something out."

"Good job at assuring me,"

"I could give you false hope if you want me to, but I don't want to lie to you," Makenna said honestly, "All I'm saying is: Don't let the fear of the unknown stop you from pursuing your dream,"

Vanessa thought about it for a moment and nodded,
"You're right. I don't think I want to pave another path only to regret not trying years from now,"

"Exactly," Makenna smiled, "So, are we on schedule for the 10-year plan?"

Vanessa smiled, excited,
"You bet we are,"

Makenna pushed open the doors to the library and let it shut quietly behind them. They headed towards their table only to find it occupied by none other than Will and Atlas. Vanessa went around to the other side to where Will was seated, giving Makenna a wink.

"Hey," Vanessa sat down next to Will,

Will and Atlas looked up at Vanessa but Makenna noticed that Will didn't have the same light on his face that he had when he saw her.
"Hey,"

"You guys are early today,"

"Yea," Makenna placed her bag on the table and sat next to Atlas, "Why's that?"

"Our last lecture got cancelled,"

Makenna looked at Atlas who spoke and she didn't expect the dam of feelings that was unleashed when their eyes met. His smile paired with his piercing gaze wasn't doing anything to help matters,

"Hi," Atlas smiled at her,

Makenna was captured by him for a moment, but she quickly looked away. She did everything in her power to stop the smile that threatened her lips.
"H-hi,"

Atlas watched as Makenna got her books from her bag. He liked seeing his presence unnerve her, it said more than she was willing to say about how she felt.

What the fuck am I so nervous about?
Makenna asked herself and tried to calm down,

She looked at Vanessa who was looking at Will,
"I'm going to get the textbooks,"

Vanessa looked at her and nodded before Makenna got up and left. Vanessa returned her gaze back to Will,
"Hey, everything alright?"

Will glanced from his book to her and back,
"Of course,"

"You're not a very good liar,"

"You're the first to think so,"

"Well, you're talking to a future detective,"

Will looked at her and smiled. But he quickly schooled his expression and looked back at his books.

Vanessa's smile fell, thinking that Makenna might have been right about Will.
"Alright, I'll stop bothering you,"

"You're not bothering me,"

"Doesn't seem that way," Vanessa took out her books,

"I just..." Will started but stopped, "My last finals are coming up, I really need to stop getting distracted,"

Vanessa felt like someone had gut-punched her but she pushed the feeling away,
"I'm sorry for being such a distraction,"

Will closed his eyes, knowing he was saying the wrong things but didn't know how he could put his feelings into words,
"Let's just focus."

"Fine by me," Vanessa was tempted to join Makenna in one of the aisles, but was unable to get herself to stand and leave,

Will looked at Atlas who was ruffling through the open textbooks on the table,
"What's wrong?"

"I forgot to get the most important one," Atlas said, mostly to himself, "I'll be back,"

Atlas got up and left Will and Vanessa, the tension at the table growing by the minute. Will looked at Vanessa who seemed to be miles away from him. It took him a moment to get back his concentration with her sitting so close yet seeming miles away from him.

It didn't take long for Atlas to find the book he was looking for and he was heading back to the table when he spotted her in one of the aisles. Of course, he stopped and for a moment he was frozen in time as he watched her.

Goodness gracious
He sighed to himself.

Smiling, he took careful steps towards her and came to a stop behind her. Peeking over her shoulder, he leaned closer only to discover that she was reading a classic.

Makenna's shoulders rose and fell as she flipped the page,
"Did you get lost?"

Atlas looked from the book she held to study her side profile. His gaze shifted to her neck and he suddenly had the urge to brush her hair away from her neck with his fingers. Instead, he clenched his jaw and fisted his hands, trying to stop himself from reaching up and doing exactly that.

Atlas closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Unfortunately, it was the wrong thing to do because the scene played out in his head.

He reached up and brushed her hair away from her neck with his fingertips, her silky raven hair falling down her back. Makenna's shoulders begin to rise and fall more frequently then she turns around to look at him. He gently takes the book from her and she lets him have it, their gaze not leaving each other for a second. Atlas randomly places the book back on the shelf, leaning close to her. He lifts his hand and places it on the side of her face, his fingers sliding into her hair as he leans in. Their lips touch and he's reminded of what she tastes like.

Makenna turned around to look at him, snapping Atlas from his reverie. She looked at him with curiosity and he immediately stopped breathing, his gaze dropping to her lips.

"I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be.