As summer approached, the campus buzzed with excitement. Finals were just around the corner, and students were busy cramming for exams and planning their summer breaks. For Lily and Ethan, it was another test of their commitment to each other.

Ethan’s progress had been steady. He stayed dedicated to his therapy, actively participated in his classes, and made time for Lily. They spent many late nights studying together, helping each other stay focused and motivated.

One evening, while they were at the library, Lily noticed Ethan’s phone light up with a notification. Jenna’s name flashed across the screen. Lily’s heart sank. She had been trying so hard to trust Ethan, but seeing Jenna’s name brought back all her fears.

“Who’s texting you?” she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

Ethan glanced at his phone and sighed. “It’s Jenna. She’s been trying to get in touch with me, but I’ve been ignoring her.”

Lily felt a pang of jealousy. “Why is she still bothering you?”

“She’s been asking for another chance, saying she made a mistake. But I don’t want anything to do with her,” Ethan explained, putting his phone on silent. “Lily, you’re the only one I want.”

Lily nodded, trying to push her insecurities aside. “I believe you. It’s just hard sometimes.”

“I know,” Ethan said, reaching out to hold her hand. “But I’m committed to us. Jenna doesn’t mean anything to me.”

As the days passed, Ethan continued to receive texts from Jenna, each one more persistent than the last. He showed them to Lily, wanting to be transparent, but it only fueled her anxiety. She knew Ethan was trying, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that Jenna was a threat to their relationship.

One afternoon, as Lily walked across campus, she saw Jenna talking to Ethan outside one of the buildings. Her heart raced, and she hurried over, determined to confront them.

“What’s going on here?” Lily demanded, her voice trembling with anger.

Jenna turned to face her, a smug smile on her face. “Just catching up with an old friend. Nothing to worry about, Lily.”

Ethan stepped in, putting a protective arm around Lily. “Jenna, leave us alone. I’ve told you I’m not interested.”

Jenna’s smile faded, and she crossed her arms. “You think you can just ignore me? You’ll come crawling back, Ethan. You always do.”

Lily’s anger boiled over. “Stay away from him, Jenna. He’s made his choice, and it’s not you.”

Jenna scoffed, turning on her heel and walking away. Ethan sighed, pulling Lily into a hug. “I’m sorry, Lily. I’ll block her number and make sure she can’t contact me anymore.”

Lily nodded, trying to calm down. “I just hate that she’s still trying to get between us.”

“We won’t let her,” Ethan said firmly. “We’re stronger than that.”

With finals looming, Lily and Ethan focused on their studies, using the distraction to keep their minds off Jenna. They spent long hours in the library, quizzing each other and sharing notes. The stress of exams was intense, but they found solace in each other’s company.

One evening, as they were walking back to their dorms, Ethan stopped and looked at Lily. “I’ve been thinking about our future, Lily. I know we’ve had our challenges, but I want us to stay together after college. I want to build a life with you.”

Lily’s heart swelled with emotion. “I want that too, Ethan. But we need to keep working on our relationship, one day at a time.”

Ethan smiled, pulling her close. “We will. Together.”

As summer break approached, Lily and Ethan made plans to spend time together, visiting each other’s families and exploring new places. It was a chance to strengthen their bond and create new memories.

The last day of finals arrived, and the campus buzzed with excitement. Students celebrated the end of the semester, eager to start their summer adventures. Lily and Ethan aced their exams, their hard work paying off.

That evening, they attended a celebratory party with their friends. The atmosphere was electric, filled with laughter and music. As they danced together, Ethan leaned in and whispered in Lily’s ear, “We did it, Lily. We made it through.”

Lily smiled, her heart full of love and hope. “Yes, we did. And we’ll keep going, no matter what.”

As the night wore on, they sat outside, watching the stars and talking about their dreams for the future. Ethan’s hand intertwined with Lily’s, and they both felt a sense of peace and determination.

Their journey was far from over, and they knew there would be more tests and temptations ahead. But as long as they had each other, they were ready to face whatever challenges came their way. And as they gazed at the stars, they knew their love was strong enough to conquer anything.