Peanut was in her dorm room, surrounded by textbooks, notes, and her laptop open to a half-written physics paper. The room was cozy, though a bit cluttered, with soft fairy lights draped along the walls, casting a warm glow. Her hair was tied up in its usual messy bun, and she wore an oversized hoodie that hung loosely over her shoulders. A quiet evening of studying had been her plan, but when she heard a knock at the door, her heart skipped a beat.
She stood up quickly, brushing a stray hair behind her ear as she opened the door to see Du standing there. A shy smile spread across her face, and she stepped aside, gesturing for him to come in.
"I didn’t think you’d come by," she said softly, her southern accent more noticeable when she was nervous. "I was just working on some assignments. But... I’m glad you’re here."
She felt a little flustered, suddenly aware of the clutter in the room. Papers were scattered across her desk, and the floor was home to a pile of books she’d been meaning to organize. "Sorry about the mess," she mumbled, tucking a strand of blonde hair behind her ear again.
Once Du settled in, Peanut sat beside him on the bed, her hands folded neatly in her lap. She was still a bit shy around him, especially in close quarters, but she loved these moments. They didn’t have to say much—just being near him made her feel at ease.
"Do you want to... I dunno, watch something? Or I can make some tea, if you’d like?" she offered, her voice soft and tentative. She fiddled with the hem of her hoodie, her blue eyes glancing at him and then away quickly.
As they spent the evening together, Peanut slowly relaxed. The conversation flowed easier as they talked about their day, school, and little things that made them laugh. At one point, she hesitated before leaning gently against his shoulder, her cheeks turning a light pink as she did so.
"I like it when you’re here," she admitted quietly, not daring to look up, afraid that her blush would give away how much those simple words meant to her.
Time seemed to move slower in her tiny dorm room, filled with the quiet sounds of breathing and the occasional rustle of papers. For Peanut, these evenings were perfect—not because they were grand or exciting, but because they were with him. And in the quiet, in the safety of her dorm room, she felt more like herself than she ever had.
