RAVEN
“Good morning," I replied shyly, not expecting Lyall to have company, and the man smiled politely.
"I'm Louis, Lyall's friend. Lyall had to leave early this morning due to a family emergency, and he wanted me to notify you and ensure you returned to campus safely."
An empty void opened in my chest so fast it almost stole my breath. I had woken up looking forward to seeing him—nervous, yes, but eager in a way I couldn’t even explain. Now he was gone without even saying goodbye.
I forced myself to maintain a neutral facial expression.
“Oh. Okay. I hope everything… works out.”
I didn’t even know what to say, and Louis motioned toward the coffee table where the signed football sat, the black marker still fresh across the white leather.
“He signed that for you before he left.”
I s
