The next day...

It was the briefest of moments. Just a single second, and then she was gone. But that was okay, he reasoned. He'd see her again soon. He knew he would.

Thomas knew that, being in his junior year in university, he should have been more focused on his studies. And yet, here he was, standing in the hallway, watching Emily's fleeting figure. He could hear his mother's voice reprimanding him in the back of his head.

Thomas, stop staring, you're being impolite! I've taught you better than this, you stupid, lazy, good-for-nothing twit!

He shook his head and gave a defeated sigh, allowing her words to temporarily fade from his mind. Gathering up the small bit of courage he had, he began to walk after Emily, but stopped short when Charles grabbed his arm.

"Going somewhere, mate? I was in the middle of explaining that movie I watched on Netflix yesterday," Charles said with a laugh.

"Hm? Oh, sorry, chap. I just...was going nowhere. Certainly wasn't going to follow anyone in particular," Thomas replied, chuckling sheepishly.

Charles glanced down the hallway as he leaned against the wall and immediately noticed Emily, who was now a mere figurine in the distance. "You really need to forget about her, mate. Find a girl who takes more of an interest in you," he encouraged gently.

"Emily does take an interest in me," Thomas insisted softly. He sighed then and quietly mumbled: "Just...not in the way I would like her to."

"Precisely. She's very sweet, and I understand that you have feelings for her, but she really doesn't feel the same way."

Thomas sighed, looking down at his feet and digging the left heel of his black Converse into the tiled floor of the hallway. "Are you sure she doesn't share my feelings?"

"Well...you constantly showing up wherever she is, asking to sit with her at lunch, sending her flowers, and buying her coffee doesn't exactly make her very comfortable," Charles said with a sigh, reaching up to scratch the back of his neck.

"Has she directly mentioned it? Has she...asked about me? Said that I annoy her?"

"Well...she sort of, yes," Charles said with some hesitation. "I believe her exact words were: 'What can I do to get him to leave me alone?'"

Thomas slipped his hand into the pocket of his jeans and dug his fingers into his thigh, biting his tongue at the same time. "I see," he said quietly after a moment of silence.

"But you know, there are a plethora of girls out there who are just as smart as you are and who will take a romantic interest in you," Charles replied, giving his friend an encouraging smile. "I'm sure you'll find a good one, mate."

"Thank you. I hope you're right," Thomas said with a sigh. "I'm just going to...go back to our dorm and study. I'll see you in a few minutes, right?"

"Actually, I'm planning to meet with a...certain someone for dinner tonight, so I won't be back until later."

"Ah, yes, this mystery girlfriend of yours. Well, give her my regards. See you later, mate," Thomas replied, managing to give his friend a small smile, though there was a bit of disappointment in his eyes. Not waiting for a reply he scurried off down the hallway and stepped outside, deciding to go to the library.

He needed to spend some time in his safe haven and get away from the world. He needed to process his thoughts, and as usual, he planned to go to his private corner and think, possibly even study some if he felt like it. With a quiet sigh, he stepped into the university's vast library and felt that familiar feeling of contentment hug him like a soft, warm blanket on a cold, snowy day.

Until he saw her.

There, across the library, sat Emily.

He had forgotten that she would be there at that time - as she always was - and he silently reprimanded himself for it. He was about to turn around and leave, but as he did, she looked up from her book.

Her gaze instantly floated from the printed words on the page to Thomas' eyes, and he felt a spark ignite and his chest, compelling him to stay. But after a moment, he looked down and shuffled his feet.

She wouldn't want him there, he told himself. She would think he was following her.

"I don't care," Thomas whispered. Armed with nothing but feigned confidence, a forced, brave smile, and a somewhat positive attitude, he padded across the room and moved over to her table, taking a seat without waiting for an invitation. "Hello."

"Hey," Emily said quietly, giving him a small smile before she turned her attention back to her book.

"What book are you reading?" Thomas asked in an attempt to start some sort of conversation.

"Phantom by Susan Kay," Emily replied as she held up the novel, allowing him to see the cover. "Have you read it?"

"Unfortunately not," Thomas replied softly. Sighing, he hesitantly continued: "Emily, I just talked with Charles, and I-"

Emily immediately gave a sigh of relief, cutting him off mid sentence. "I thought he was never going to tell you about us," she said as she closed her book. "He kept putting it off, and I've been wanting him to tell you, because I was afraid you would see us together and find out. I think you're a very sweet person, Thomas, and I didn't want you to get your feelings hurt, but I really love Charles, and I think our relationship could go somewhere."

Thomas felt his heart sink in his chest as the last bit of positivity he possessed quickly dried up like a wilting flower. Quickly, though, he made sure to hide it with a convincing smile. "Yes," he said softly, "I...I'm sure you're very happy together."

-----

That evening...

It hadn't been long since Emily had gotten home from her date with Charles, but she had already changed into more comfortable clothes and was reading on the sofa. Suddenly, there was a banging on her front door. She couldn't help but be a bit nervous at how desperate and urgent the knock sounded. With a frown, she tossed aside her book and got to her feet, hurrying over to open the door. "Charles," she said upon letting the visitor in. "What-"

"Did you tell him?" her boyfriend asked, grief plainly evident in his eyes.

Emily frowned, tilting her head to one side slightly in confusion. "Tell who about what?" she asked softly.

"Thomas. About you and I dating. Did you tell him?" Charles pressed.

"I-I mentioned it when I ran into him at the library. I thought you had already told him," Emily replied as her frown deepened.

"Well, I didn't. You did."

Emily gasped quietly, putting a hand to her forehead. "I can't believe it did that, my god. Is he alright? I know how fragile he can be."

"Emily, he...he isn't..." Charles bit the inside of his cheek when his voice cracked in grief, almost unable to continue.

"Love, what is it?" Emily asked gently, setting a hand on her boyfriend's arm.

"Thomas, he...he committed suicide this evening while I was out; I just found him in our dorm. He's dead, Emily."