Chapter 196.

Two days later:

The morning air around Blackwood University felt different. Maybe it was because Emilia had been away for a little while.

Maybe it was because so much had happened in those few days that coming back to campus felt almost surreal.

Or maybe it was simply because she was sitting in the back seat of Adrian’s car, watching the familiar buildings appear through the window while Kylie sat beside her, humming quietly to herself.

Either way, Emilia couldn’t shake the strange feeling settling in her chest.

She was going back. Back to classes. Back to assignments.

Back to the endless corridors, crowded lecture halls, and the ridiculous amount of coffee she would inevitably consume.

Normal life.

She smiled faintly.

She had missed it.

Adrian’s hand rested on the center console between them.

Emilia looked down at it, then at him.

He was driving with one hand, with his full attention on the road, and his expression calm.

He looked completely at ease.

As if dropping his girlfriend off at school was the most ordinary thing in the world.

Emilia reached across and slipped her fingers into his.

Adrian glanced at her.

A small smile touched his mouth. "Do you feel alright?" he asked.

"I’m allowed to stare at my boyfriend."

His eyebrow lifted. "Boyfriend?"

Emilia’s cheeks warmed. "Don’t make it weird."

"I didn’t." His smile widened. "You just never called me that." He added dramatically. "Trust me, I was begining to doubt your feelings."

Kylie made a dramatic gagging sound from the back seat. "Oh my God."

Emilia turned around. "What?" She glared at her.

"I’ve been trapped in this car for almost two hours listening to you two flirt."

"We’re not flirting," Emilia said.

Kylie stared at her.

Emilia’s smile widened deliberately. "Even if we are, would there be an issue?"

Kylie shook her head. "You two are disgusting."

Adrian chuckled. "You’re welcome to step out."

"At the next red light."

Emilia laughed.

The car eventually slowed as they approached Blackwood’s main entrance.

Students were already everywhere.

The campus had that particular morning energy that Emilia had forgotten she loved.

She watched students cross the road in front of the car.

Adrian pulled into the drop-off area.

He parked.

Emilia unbuckled her seat belt. "I’ll see you later."

"Wait."

She turned.

"Don’t act like that." Adrian leaned toward her.

Emilia smiled before he even kissed her.

His lips met hers softly.

It was brief, warm, and familiar.

When he pulled away, Emilia was still smiling. Adrian brushed his thumb lightly against her cheek.

Then he kissed her forehead. "Have a good day."

"You too."

He looked at her for another moment. "Your dorm is already arranged."

Emilia blinked. "What?"

"Someone handled it this morning."

Her eyes widened. "No, you didn’t."

"I did."

"Adrian."

"The boxes you told me you’d need for the semester were moved in too."

She stared at him. "You remembered?"

"I remember most things you tell me."

Her heart melted. She leaned forward and kissed him again. This time, she lingered for a second longer.

"Thank you."

Adrian smiled. "You’re welcome."

From the back seat came another exaggerated sigh. "Oh, please."

Emilia pulled away laughing.

"I can also clean up your dorm room for you." Kylie folded her arms. "I would like to formally request that you two stop making me single by association."

Emilia turned toward her. "You’re never single, Kylie."

Kylie stared at her, with her jaw on the floor. "That’s such a wild thing to say. Considering you have no proof."

Adrian laughed.

Kylie pointed at him. "Don’t encourage her."

Emilia opened the door. "Bye, Kylie."

"Bye, traitor."

Emilia stepped out. She shut the door and leaned down toward the open window.

"I love you."

Kylie smiled. "I love you too."

Adrian looked at Emilia, his eyes softening.

"Your top looks perfect on you," he said. "Don’t let anyone make you feel like shit for wearing it."

Emilia smiled.

Her eyes stung slightly, and she quickly blinked the tears away. Her fingers tightened around the straps of her bag as she shifted her weight from one foot to the other.

She looked down at herself.

She was wearing a fitted, V-neck green top tucked into a pair of low-waisted jeans. There was no cardigan hiding her curvy hour glass figure. No oversized layer covering her curves. For once, she was simply... there. Out in the open.

And she couldn’t lie. The outfit looked good on her. Really good.

But that wasn’t what caught Adrian’s attention. It was the cardigan. Or rather, the absence of one.

Since Brazil, she hadn’t noticed that she’d slowly stopped reaching for them. She’d stopped grabbing one before leaving the house, and she stopped worrying about whether her body was too visible or whether someone might stare. Or whether she would distract the men.

She hadn’t even realized she wasn’t wearing one that morning. Not until Adrian pointed it out.

And somehow, that realization felt bigger than the outfit itself.

Emilia grinned. "Okay."

She took a few steps, then turned around.

Adrian was still watching her.

She waved.

He lifted two fingers from the steering wheel.

Kylie immediately leaned across him and waved dramatically through the window.

Emilia laughed. Then she turned toward the university. She adjusted her bag on her shoulder and walked through the walking past students.

........

The campus felt familiar.

And yet, not quite the same.

Maybe that was because Emilia wasn’t the same girl who had left it.

Three days ago, she had been lying beside Adrian, wondering how much more her life could possibly change.

Now she was walking toward class with a smile she couldn’t quite hide.

Students passed her.

Some nodded, some smiled, and a few stared.

Emilia had gotten used to that. There had been a time when attention made her uncomfortable.

Now she barely noticed it.

She pushed open the door to her classroom.

The room was already half full. Students were scattered across the benches, talking among themselves.

Emilia’s eyes swept across the room, then stopped.

Her eyes found Lucy.

She was sitting alone on one of the benches.

Emilia’s heart immediately jumped.

Lucy looked up, and their eyes met. Lucy froze for a few seconds, and then, she smiled.

It wasn’t the bright, carefree smile Emilia remembered. It was smaller, and uncertain. Almost nervous.

Emilia didn’t think much of it. She immediately walked toward her. "Lucy!"

Lucy stood. "Emilia."

They hugged softly. Lucy was the first to pull back.

"I’ve missed you." Lucy said between a soft smile.

"I’ve missed you too."

Lucy looked at her carefully. "You look happy."

Emilia smiled. "I am."

Lucy smiled back, but something in her expression still seemed heavy.

Emilia sat beside her.

"So..." Lucy tucked her hair behind her ear. "How was your holiday?"

Emilia’s smile grew. "Honestly?"

"Yes."

"The best."

Lucy blinked. "Really?"

Emilia nodded. "Really."

She leaned back against the bench. "I thought I was going to spend the entire holiday stressed about everything."