Underneath the surface

The bar wasn't crowded when she arrived, and she quickly found a seat by the window. Her phone buzzed again. It was Kian this time, asking how the exam went.

Isabella smiled at the text, typing back a quick reply: "It was tough, but I think I did okay!" She felt a little guilty for the thoughts that had started to creep into her head earlier about Kian.

She liked him—there was chemistry between them, for sure—but it was nice to be around someone like Luca, too. Someone who made her feel light-hearted and fun, without any of the complications she sometimes felt with Kian.

A few minutes later, Luca arrived at the bar, walking in with his usual carefree stride. He spotted her immediately, grinning as he made his way over. "Hey!" he said, handing her a beautiful bouquet of roses. "Thank you"

Isabella said blushing. Then settling into the chair across from her. "How are you feeling now
that it's over?"

"I'm definitely glad it's behind me," Isabella replied, laughing. "But now I can't stop second-guessing myself. I always feel like I missed something."

Luca chuckled, his smile wide. "That's just the way it is, isn't it? Always thinking
we could've done better. But hey, I'm sure you did great."

Isabella laughed, the tension in her shoulders finally starting to ease. She looked at Luca, his easy confidence making her feel like everything was going to be okay. "Thanks," she said, feeling a warmth spread through her. "I'm hoping for
the best."

They ordered their drinks, and the conversation shifted to more casual topics— books they were reading, music they liked, and their favorite things to do in Barcelona when they had free time.

Luca seemed to have endless stories about his experiences here, from trying to figure out the metro system to the funny cultural differences he'd noticed since arriving.

Isabella couldn't help but laugh at his anecdotes, her worries about the exam slipping away as they talked. Luca had a way of making everything feel easy, like there was no need to be stressed or overwhelmed. Just enjoying the moment.

"So, have you tried that new restaurant in the city center?" Luca asked, leaning forward a bit. "I heard they have the best tapas."

Isabella shook her head, smiling. "No, but it sounds great. I'm always up for good
food."

Luca grinned. "Perfect. We should go sometime. I'll even let you pick the restaurant if you want."

Isabella raised an eyebrow. "Oh, I see how it is—trying to be the cool, easy-going guy, huh?"

Luca laughed, clearly not bothered by her teasing. "I just want to show you a good time, that's all. And besides, I'm always up for whatever."

They continued chatting, laughter filling the space between them. The more they talked, the more Isabella realized how much she enjoyed being with him. There was a sense of ease, a natural rhythm to their conversations that made her feel completely at home.

It was refreshing, a welcome break from the weight of her university life and the constant pull between her feelings for Kian and Luca.

As they finished their drink, Luca stood up, giving her a playful grin. "So, you think you survived the exam, but I think you really survived the worst part of it—sitting through that whole thing without going completely crazy."

Isabella laughed, shaking her head. "Hey, you have no idea what it was like. But
I'm glad we could both make it through."

"Same here," Luca said, giving her a wink. "Let's do it again sometime."