He was an interesting person, with diverse interests and unique points of view. The two spent hours discussing philosophy, literature and art, and their conversations were full of laughter, excitement, and a genuine desire to understand each other.

At the same time, Maxine noticed something else in their relationship. Something different from anything she had experienced before. She felt connected to Chris in a way that went beyond mere attraction or compatibility.

They haven't gone further than a peck on the lips and a hug. And the funny thing was, Maxine didn't feel the need to be intimate with Chris. Their connection was deeper, stronger, and more meaningful than that. It was something she had never experienced before, something she hadn't believed was possible.

Chris and Maxine met for lunch regularly, spending their days talking and laughing. They walked through the university campus, discussing ideas and learning from each other. But something strange was also happening to Maxine.

The longer she spent with Chris, the more restless she felt. She found herself thinking about him constantly, unable to focus on her work or daily activities. She longed to see him, to talk to him, to feel his presence beside her.

"Did you know that the ancient Greek philosophers viewed the psyche as a divisible thing?"

One afternoon, the two were enjoying a cup of coffee after lunch. Maxine found herself unintentionally captivated by the movement of Chris' hands as he spoke. His words became a blur in Maxine's ears as her gaze traveled up his muscular arms, his sharp jaw, and those captivating blue eyes that could drown her in their depths.

"Um, yeah..." she stammered, suddenly realizing that he was waiting for an answer.

Chris gave her a teasing smile. "Cat got your tongue, Maxine?"

She blushed, silently cursing her lack of attention. "No, sorry. I was just... distracted."

"By this old fool?" Chris queried with a laugh.

The mention of the word 'old' brought Maxine back to reality, reminding her that Chris was, in fact, much older than her. He was nearly as old as her mother and, in addition, Maxine had just turned nineteen years old.

"No, of course not," she replied with a nervous laugh. "I was just... thinking about something else."

Chris leaned closer, his eyes searching hers. "Tell me, Maxine, are you regretting meeting me?"

Maxine blushed again, avoiding his gaze. "No, of course not! It's just... I'm a bit distracted lately. I'm not a very good company today."

Chris reached out and took her hand gently in his. "Maxine, look at me."

She raised her eyes, feeling the heat of his touch and the intensity of his gaze.

"You are a fascinating person, Maxine. I love talking to you and spending time with you. Don't ever think that I don't."

Maxine felt herself drowning in the sea that was his eyes. "I... I just don't want you to think that I'm just a foolish girl, too young and foolish for you."

Chris' eyes flashed with amusement. "You, foolish? Hardly. And don't worry, I'm older, not wiser. But age isn't something to be ashamed of, Maxine. Time is not a flaw to hide. Experience is a quality worth cherishing."

Maxine remained silent, unable to respond. She felt a connection between them, as if their souls were somehow aligned. It was a feeling of belonging, of completeness. A feeling that, deep inside, she knew was fleeting, like a dream that disappears in the morning light.

Chris gave her a last, intense look before getting up and excusing himself to go to his History seminar, leaving Maxine with her thoughts swirling in the pool of emotions inside her head.