chapter 5
967 Words
Chapter 5: Questions Without Answers
Ava woke to the sound of a buzzing phone.
She blinked at the clock on the nightstand.
7:18 a.m.
Bianca's side of the room was empty.
The neatly made bed suggested she hadn't slept in it.
Again.
Ava frowned.
She had waited up until almost midnight before finally giving in to exhaustion. Bianca hadn't returned by then.
She reached for her own phone and checked the time once more.
Nothing from Ethan.
Nothing from her parents.
Just another reminder from the university portal about her outstanding tuition balance.
Five days left.
Her stomach twisted.
She quickly silenced the notification and climbed out of bed.
Just as she finished getting dressed, the dorm room door clicked open.
Bianca stepped inside wearing oversized sunglasses and carrying two paper cups.
"Morning."
She sounded surprisingly cheerful for someone who had been out all night.
Ava looked at her.
"You just got back?"
"Something like that."
Bianca kicked off her heels and stretched.
"I'm exhausted."
"You didn't sleep?"
"I'll survive."
She held out one of the coffee cups.
"I got you a vanilla latte."
Ava hesitated.
"You really didn't have to."
"I know."
Bianca smiled.
"But I wanted to."
The coffee smelled amazing.
Ava accepted it with a quiet, "Thank you."
---
By the time they reached campus, Bianca looked as though she'd had a full night's rest.
She laughed with classmates.
Answered questions in class.
Even volunteered during Professor Mitchell's lecture.
Ava couldn't understand it.
If she stayed awake past midnight studying, she looked like a zombie the next morning.
Bianca looked like she'd stepped out of a magazine.
"You keep staring at me," Bianca whispered during class.
Ava looked away, embarrassed.
"Sorry."
"Were you trying to figure out my skincare routine?"
Ava laughed.
"I wish."
"It's expensive."
"I figured."
Bianca winked before turning her attention back to the lecture.
---
After class, the campus bookstore displayed a sign advertising discounted textbooks.
Ava stopped in front of it.
One of the books she needed was finally on sale.
She checked the price.
Even with the discount, it cost more than she had in her wallet.
She sighed and started walking away.
"You need it?" Bianca asked.
"It's fine."
"You looked at it for a long time."
"I'll borrow someone's copy."
Bianca didn't say another word.
She simply walked into the bookstore.
A few minutes later, she came back carrying the textbook.
She handed it to Ava.
"Here."
Ava stared at it.
"What?"
"I bought it."
"No."
"You needed it."
"I can't accept this."
"Why not?"
"It wasn't cheap."
Bianca shrugged.
"So?"
"So I can't let you spend money on me."
Bianca folded her arms.
"Then pay me back when you're rich."
Ava shook her head and tried handing the book back.
Bianca refused to take it.
"I hate seeing people struggle when I can help."
Ava's chest tightened.
She hadn't met Bianca a full day ago.
Why was she being so kind?
"Thank you," she whispered.
"You're welcome."
---
That afternoon, Ava's phone rang while she was walking back to the dorm.
It was her father.
"Hi, Dad."
"My princess."
His voice sounded tired.
"Busy?"
"I just finished class."
"Good."
There was a pause.
"The bakery oven broke this morning."
Ava stopped walking.
"What?"
"We'll manage."
"How much will it cost?"
"I'm getting estimates."
She closed her eyes.
As if things weren't already bad enough.
"Don't worry about us," her father said gently.
"You have enough on your mind."
But she was already worrying.
The call ended a few minutes later.
Ava leaned against a tree near the walkway.
She wanted to cry.
Instead, she took a deep breath and wiped away the tears threatening to fall.
---
When she returned to the dorm that evening, Bianca was sitting cross-legged on her bed with several shopping bags scattered around her.
More bags than she'd had yesterday.
Ava blinked.
"Went shopping?"
Bianca smiled.
"A little."
"A little?"
"I got carried away."
Ava laughed softly.
She picked up one of the bags and glanced inside.
A beautiful cream-colored coat.
The price tag was still attached.
It cost more than Ava's monthly paycheck from the bookstore.
She carefully put it back.
"I don't think I've ever owned anything this expensive."
Bianca looked at her for a moment.
Then she quietly asked,
"What would you do if someone offered to solve all your problems?"
Ava frowned.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean... if someone paid your tuition."
Ava's heart skipped.
"And your family's bills."
She swallowed.
"Nobody would do that."
"You'd be surprised."
Ava studied Bianca's face.
For the first time...
There was something unreadable in her eyes.
Not pity.
Not judgment.
Just... understanding.
Before Ava could ask another question, Bianca's phone buzzed.
She glanced at the screen and smiled faintly.
"I have to go."
"So soon?"
"Yeah."
She disappeared into the bathroom.
A few minutes later, she emerged in another elegant dress.
She looked like someone heading to an exclusive gala.
Not a college student leaving a dorm room.
Ava watched silently as Bianca sprayed perfume onto her wrists.
"You always dress up to go out."
Bianca smiled at her reflection.
"You never know who you're going to meet."
She picked up her designer handbag.
"See you later, roommate."
The door closed behind her.
Ava waited a few seconds before walking to the window.
The same black luxury sedan pulled up outside.
The same driver stepped out and opened the rear door.
Bianca slipped inside without looking around.
The car drove away.
Ava stood there long after it disappeared.
Her thoughts returned to Bianca's question.
"What would you do if someone offered to solve all your problems?"
She didn't have an answer.
Not yet.
But for the first time...
She found herself wondering if such a person really existed.
- Writer
