Emily, Ryan, Olivia, and Alex were placed in the same English study group by their teacher. From the beginning, Emily noticed something different about Ryan. While Alex and Olivia were outgoing and quick to jump into conversation, Ryan was quieter, often sitting on the edges of discussions, listening everything, but rarely offering his thoughts.    Emily admired his thoughtful nature, her admiration blossomed into something more—she found herself falling for him. But she knew she needed to befriend him first, to build trust, especially since Ryan seemed reserved when it came to forming new relationships.One day, after class, Emily confessed to Olivia about her feelings. “I really want to get to know Ryan better. But he’s so quiet, and I don’t want to make him uncomfortable.” Olivia smiled, already knowing what her friend was hinting at. “You want my help, don’t you? I’ve got your back, Emily. You just need to approach him in a way he’s comfortable with.” They came up with a plan. Instead of trying to include Ryan in big, loud group settings, Olivia suggested smaller, more relaxed moments where Emily could talk to Ryan . Since they were already in a study group together, Olivia told  Emily to ask Ryan for some extra help with their English assignments—something more private, where they could connect one-on-one. The next day after class, as the group packed up their things . She approached Ryan just as he was about to leave. “Hey, Ryan. I was wondering if you could help me with my English homework . Ryan hesitated, at first.but it was a request he accepted ,  “Oh, um, sure. I guess I could do that,” he said, glancing at her . Emily smiled warmly. “Great! Maybe after our next group study session?”. The next week, after the group session ended and Olivia and Alex headed out, Emily and Ryan stayed behind in the library

At first, the conversation was focused on their English assignment, but gradually, it shifted. Emily asked Ryan about his favorite books, and as they talked, she found that Ryan’s quiet nature liked  a deep passion for literature. His eyes lit up when he spoke about his favorite authors. The more they talked, the more Emily realized how much she appreciated Ryan’s introverted side. He wasn’t just shy; he was thoughtful, caring, and perceptive in ways that others weren’t. He noticed details, paid attention to small things, and had a unique perspective on life. Olivia’s plan was working. Over the next few weeks, Emily and Ryan began spending more time together outside of group meetings. They would grab coffee, talk about books, and take quiet walks around campus. Ryan slowly began to open up, and Emily realized that under his reserved exterior was a kind soul who just needed the right person to bring him out of his shell. He had found a new level of comfort with Emily. And for Emily, befriending Ryan was just the first step toward something she hoped would last a lifetime.A couple of weeks passed, and Emily felt more comfortable around Ryan, but she still hadn't fully confessed her feelings. She wanted to take her time, to make sure she didn’t rush things or scare him off. Every time they hung out, she felt like they were getting closer. She’d catch him smiling more often, especially when they were talking about books or joking around about school.One chilly afternoon, Emily and Ryan sat on a bench near the library, sipping hot chocolate. The sun was setting.

It was peaceful, and Emily felt like this was the right moment to say something, but she didn't get the confidence out of her .“Hey, Ryan,” she started, glancing at him nervously. “Can I ask you something? It’s a little... personal.”.Ryan looked at her, slightly tilting his head. “Yeah, sure. What’s up?”.Emily took a deep breath. "Well, I’ve been meaning to ask… why are you so quiet around people? I mean, not that it’s a bad thing, but... I’m just curious."“I guess I’ve always been like that. I like listening to people more than being the center of attention.”.It’s one of the things I... really admire about you.” She hadn’t meant to say that last part, but it slipped out before she could stop herself. Her cheeks flushed pink, and she quickly sipped her hot chocolate to cover her embarrassment.In fact, he smiled a little. “Thanks, Emily. That means a lot.”There was a pause,and Emily decided to take another small step. “So... do you think we could maybe hang out more? You know, just the two of us, outside of study group and all that?”. Ryan looked at her and said , “Yeah, I’d like that.”Emily’s heart raced, and she couldn’t help but grin. This was it—the start of something more than just a friendship, or at least, she hoped so. Now, she just had to figure out how to tell him how she really felt. But for now, spending time together was enough. She knew that whatever happened next would happen naturally, and that gave her the courage to keep moving forward. After their conversation near the library, Emily and Ryan began spending more time together. Whether it was grabbing coffee after class. The feeling of closeness gave Emily hope, but she still wasn’t ready to confess her true feelings. One evening, after their group study session ended, Ryan asked Emily if she wanted to hang out for a bit. They found themselves at a small café not too far from campus. At one point, Ryan leaned back and said, “You know, it’s nice hanging out just the two of us.” Emily’s heart fluttered. “Yeah, I think so too. It’s... easy.”Ryan smiled. A few weeks passed, They started texting more frequently—about anything, really—jokes about their classes or random thoughts they had throughout the day. Emily found herself looking forward to these small exchanges. She could sense Ryan opening up in ways he hadn’t with others.One afternoon, as they walked through a park, Emily noticed that Ryan seemed unusually quiet .“Everything okay?” she asked.“Yeah,” he replied, looking at her . “I just... I really enjoy hanging out with you. It’s different from how I am with other people.” “I feel the same way. It’s nice to have someone who gets me, you know?”Ryan nodded, his expression . “Exactly.” They walked in silence for a bit longer.One day, after class, Ryan asked Emily if she wanted to go to a bookstore downtown. He knew how much she loved reading novels  and she appreciated that he paid attention to those little details. At one point, Ryan picked up a book, flipping through the pages before handing it to Emily. “I think you’ll like this one,” he said. Emily took the book, their fingers briefly brushing. It was a small moment, but her heart skipped .“Thanks, I’ll check it out,” she said .They left the bookstore as the sun was setting, walking side by side. In that moment, it felt like it was just the two of them