Chapter 16: Breaking the Surface
The coffee shop was quieter than usual when Riley arrived, her messenger bag slung across her shoulder and a notebook in hand. She spotted Elena immediately, seated at their usual corner table, her laptop open and a steaming cup of coffee beside it. The sight of her brought a small smile to Rileyâs face.
Theyâd agreed to meet again to continue their project, but something about the atmosphere felt different. Their last meeting had ended on a somewhat light note, but Riley couldnât shake the feeling that they were still stuck in a formal rhythmâpolite exchanges, focused conversations, and an unspoken wall between them that neither had dared to cross.
"Hey," Riley greeted as she slid into the seat across from Elena.
"Hey," Elena replied, glancing up with a smile. She gestured to the coffee cup on the table. "I got you one. Black, no sugar, right?"
Riley blinked in surprise. "Yeah, thanks. You didnât have to do that."
Elena shrugged. "Consider it a small thank-you for actually pulling your weight on this project. Not everyone does."
Riley chuckled softly, taking the cup. "Iâll take it as a compliment, I guess."
They settled into their usual pattern, discussing their progress and dividing up tasks. Elena was as sharp and articulate as ever, and Riley found herself admiring the way her mind worked. But even as they focused on the project, Rileyâs thoughts kept drifting.
She wanted to know more about Elenaâbeyond her polished exterior, beyond the confident girl who seemed to have it all together. Riley wanted to break through the formality and build something real, but she wasnât sure how to start.
The moment presented itself when Elena closed her laptop with a satisfied sigh. "Okay, I think weâre in a good place with this. Anything else we need to go over?"
Riley hesitated, then decided to take a chance. "Actually, yeah. Somethingâs been bugging me."
Elena raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What is it?"
"Itâs nothing serious," Riley said quickly, her tone light. "I was just thinking... weâve been working on this project for weeks now, but I feel like I barely know you."
Elena blinked, clearly not expecting that. "What do you mean? We talk all the time."
"Yeah, about the project," Riley said, leaning forward slightly. "But I mean, like, really know you. we're friends now but I don't think we've taken that shift to being actual friends I don't even know what you do when youâre not acing your classes or outshining everyone in group projects.
Elena laughed softly, a touch of surprise in her expression. "Wow, okay. I didnât realize I came off that intense."
"You donât," Riley said quickly, then smirked. "Well, maybe a little. But in a good way."
Elena tilted her head, considering the question. "Honestly? Iâm pretty boring. I study a lot, hang out with my friends when I can, and binge-watch way too many crime dramas."
"Crime dramas?" Riley repeated, her interest piqued. "Like what?"
"Mostly the classicsâLaw & Order, Criminal Minds, that sort of thing," Elena admitted, her tone almost sheepish. "Itâs kind of my guilty pleasure."
Riley grinned. "Okay, I can respect that. But I have to askâare you one of those people who tries to solve the case before the detectives do?"
"Of course," Elena said with a laugh. "Isnât that the whole point?"
Their conversation flowed more easily after that, the topic shifting from crime dramas to favorite movies, books, and random anecdotes about their lives. Riley found herself relaxing, her usual reserved nature giving way to a more playful side as Elenaâs laughter filled the space between them.
At one point, Elena leaned back in her chair, her smile lingering as she looked at Riley. "You know, youâre not what I expected and you really shocked me the last day of the trip."
Riley raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And what exactly did you expect?"
"I donât know," Elena admitted, her tone thoughtful. "Back in high school, you were so quiet. I guess I just assumed youâd still be that way."
Riley shrugged, her gaze dropping to her coffee cup. "People change."
"Yeah, they do," Elena said softly, her eyes on Riley.
The moment hung between them, unspoken but palpable. Riley felt her pulse quicken under Elenaâs gaze, but before she could say anything, Elena shifted in her seat and glanced at her phone.
"Wow, time really got away from us," Elena said, her tone lighter now. "I should probably get going soon."
"Yeah, same," Riley said, though she wasnât ready for their conversation to end.
As they packed up their things, Riley felt a flicker of hope. For the first time, their dynamic felt less like a partnership of convenience and more like the beginnings of something genuine.
"See you in class?" Riley asked as they stepped outside.
"Yeah," Elena said with a smile. "See you then."
As they went their separate ways, Riley couldnât help but smile to herself. The wall between them was starting to crack, and she was determined to see what lay beyond it.