Anna had always felt a certain fondness for Edward Augustus Locke. They shared a complicated history that dated back to high school and recently got reconnected online by discussing their academic pursuits and catching up on each other's lives. Edward was a theoretical physics genius at MIT, and Anna was in awe of his intelligence and sharp wit. She admired his unapologetic thirst for knowledge and his insightful and thoughtful nature. But there was more to her feelings than just admiration. Anna found herself thinking about him more often than she cared to admit, even though they were oceans apart. Their conversations always left her feeling energized and alive, and she couldn't help but feel a sense of longing for something more. However, Anna tried to push those thoughts aside, knowing that a long-distance relationship would be too complicated, especially given her recent experience with Henry. 

One particular memory that Anna couldn't shake was a school trip they had taken together in high school. They had been seated next to each other on the bus, and during a rest stop, Anna had fallen asleep with her head resting on Edward's shoulder. When she had woken up, she had felt embarrassed and awkward, and they had both pretended like nothing had happened.

Anna smiled as she remembered that moment, the feeling of Edward's shoulder beneath her head. It had been innocent, but at the same time, she couldn't help but wonder if there was more to it.

As she sat in her apartment in Melbourne, Anna couldn't help but feel a sense of regret for not pursuing something with Edward. She wondered if they could have been something more if they had been brave enough to act on their feelings back then. But she knew that it was too late now, and she had to focus on moving forward.

Anna's phone buzzed, and she saw that it was a message from Edward. "Miss you."

Anna's mind raced as she considered what to reply. She felt a mixture of excitement and trepidation, unsure of what this message meant for their relationship. But she knew that she couldn't ignore it, and she replied with a simple, "Miss you too."

On the other hand, Howard Avery Parker was everything a girl in academia would want. He was cool, confident, and talented, and Anna looked up to him as a role model in academia. Howard was a final-year Ph.D. chemistry student at the University of Melbourne and a talented guitarist in the university band.

Anna's heart skipped a beat as she saw Howard walking towards her on the university campus. He had a casual yet effortlessly stylish look about him that made her feel self-conscious about her own appearance. His hair was perfectly styled, and his clothes seemed to fit him just right, emphasizing his lean yet muscular build. As he approached her, Anna felt her cheeks flush with heat, and her palms became sweaty. She knew that she was just being silly, but she couldn't help it.

Later that day, Anna found herself working in the chemistry lab with Howard. As they worked side by side, she couldn't help but watch him out of the corner of her eye. She admired the way he moved with purpose, his hands moving deftly as he worked.

Anna was lost in her thoughts when Howard spoke, breaking the silence. "What do you think, Anna? Should we try adding a bit of magnesium sulfate?"

Anna's heart fluttered as she heard her name, and she turned to face Howard, who was looking at her expectantly. "Uh, yeah, that sounds like a good idea," she managed to reply, her mind still a bit distracted.

As they continued to work, Anna noticed the way Howard's eyes crinkled at the corners when he smiled, and she felt a rush of warmth in her chest. She couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to be with someone like Howard, someone confident and talented, someone who knew what they wanted and went after it.

But she quickly pushed those thoughts aside, knowing that she needed to focus on her studies and her own personal growth. She admired Howard from afar, content to learn from him and be inspired by his example.

The more time Anna spent talking to Edward and Howard, the more she felt torn between two worlds. On one hand, there was the familiar comfort of her friendship with Edward and the potential for something more. On the other, there was the mystery and allure of Howard, with his talent and intelligence that never ceased to impress her. She found herself wondering what might have happened if she and Edward had pursued a relationship back in high school, and she couldn't help but feel a sense of distance between her and Howard.

Anna sat at her desk, staring at her computer screen as she scrolled through social media. She paused on a post from Edward and felt a strange pull towards him that went beyond friendship. As if sensing her thoughts, Howard's name popped up on her phone, and she wondered if he felt the same way.

Anna knew she had a decision to make, but the thought of hurting either of them made her heart ache. She continued to scroll through her social media, lost in thought as she tried to navigate the complex emotions swirling inside her.

As the night wore on, Anna finally put her phone down and stared out her window, lost in thought. She knew she had to confront her feelings and make a choice, but for now, she let the gentle sound of the rain outside lull her into a restless sleep.