Weeks passes by in a storm of tests and exams.

I found myself mainly focused on the chapter I was reviewing, my gray hair neatly tied back, but the space between Trent and me remained a constant bug.

Our conversations were brief, and our meetings even shorter.

Samuel, however, made persistent attempts to be my "friend", often joining me in my reading sessions, and engaging me in conversation.

As Samuel and I spent more time together, huddled over textbooks in the library, I couldn't shake the feeling of déjà vu.

It was as if I had walked this path before.

Amid all this, Trent still weighed heavily on my mind.

********************************

DINING HALL

The academy's dining area provided a temporary safe haven from the pressure of exams.

I sat with my friends at our regular table, my attention occasionally drifting toward Trent.

Hannah's laughter filled the air, and her lively spirit drew a rare smile from Senza.

Samuel approached me, offering a plate of snacks with a friendly smile. "Hungry?"

I accepted the plate with a soft smile.

"Thanks, Samuel."

As the evening ended, I went to my room, lost in thought about the exams upcoming.

Just as I gazed out of my window at the moon, the door to my room swung open, Hannah and Bri at the entrance.

"Elise, we're having a study session in the common room. Are you in?" Hannah's eyes sparkled with excitement.

Bri added with a grin, "You know the tradition, even during exams."

I chuckled and nodded. "Sure, count me in."

The common room was filled in warm lamplight, and I found myself among the group, scattered books, and pens.

Hannah's curiosity got the better of her, and she leaned forward.

"Elise, spill the tea! What's going on between you and Samuel?"

Bri's eyes widened, silently urging caution. But the question was out. I chuckled, amused. "Hannah, you're something else."

Hannah's grin widened. "Oh, come on, don't leave us hanging!"

I tilted my head. "Samuel and I?"

"Nothing at all," I began. "I guess maybe he felt guilty about how things ended... you know, before the whole explosion and powers thing."

Bri asked, "You know, I never asked... Why did you two break up?"

"Oh! He cheated on me with a junior," I said simply. "Come to think of it, I never told him I found out. I just ended things when I woke up."

"So, he doesn't know that you know?!" Hannah's voice rose in surprise.

I pushed a strand of hair behind my ear. "I guess you could say that."

Hannah chirped excitedly, pushing her textbook aside. "Wow, this is way more interesting than human anatomy."

Bri instinctively asked, "Are you ever going to tell him?"

I tried to wrap up the topic. "I mean... does it really matter now? Let bygones be bygones, right?"

Thinking about it now, I realized that I didn't feel any pain talking about it out loud. I guess, I had truly moved on.

When I was with Samuel, I didn't feel any pain or discomfort. I wasn't enthusiastic to meet him or anything.

I just felt nothing.

Hannah trailed off, "I guess so," and then, out of the blue, she added, "What's the deal with Trent, though? The way he looks at you sometimes, I can't tell if he wants to kill you or kiss you."

The conversation took an unexpected turn to Trent, causing me to cough fitfully, but Max intervened, steering the topic away.

Clearing her throat, Max's tone was both firm and gentle.

"Alright, girls, let's get back to studying. We're here to support each other through exams."

Like and leave a comment

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Hello Chingus,

This chapter gave me a kind of deja-vu feeling. I attending a boarding school and we had times like this during exam period. We would hang around and talk and study. Just chilling and relaxing while reading. Good times... good times.

I get very imaginative when I write... hehe

Stay healthy and hydrated

Annyeong

"Hush - Lasse Lindh"

Perfect for studying btw.