Chapter 21. Beneath the Stars

Anastasia's POV

I hasten my steps to approach Ryan, my heart pounding in my chest. A thrilled smile appears on my lips as I stop in front of him, feeling my body vibrate with the energy of this reunion after last night.

"Ryan, it's so good to see you! I thought I'd see you earlier today on my way to the library, but unfortunately, that wasn't possible," I say, agitated and excited. The words tumble out quickly as if they carry an urgency I didn't know existed within me.

"You looked for me?" Ryan asks, surprised, and I feel my cheeks flush slightly as I admit it. His blue eyes fix on mine, and I feel the world slow down for a few moments.

"Yes. I wanted to thank you again for last night. I won the trial yesterday; I came in first place!" I inform him happily, stepping a little closer to Ryan.

Ryan's curly hair is looser, and I have an overwhelming desire to pull one of his curls to see how it wr