chapter 4
789 Words
Chapter 4
The next morning, Emily woke before her alarm.
For a few seconds, she stared at the ceiling, trying to remember where she was.
Then she smiled.
"University."
She stretched before climbing out of bed.
Olivia was still asleep, hugging her pillow tightly.
Emily laughed quietly.
"Olivia... wake up."
A muffled groan came from under the blanket.
"Five more minutes..."
"You said that ten minutes ago."
Olivia peeked out with messy hair.
"I hate mornings."
Emily giggled.
"I've noticed."
After getting ready, the two roommates left for breakfast.
The cafeteria was already crowded with students.
Emily grabbed a tray while Olivia searched for an empty table.
As Emily was about to sit down, conversations around the room suddenly became quieter.
She looked up.
Alexander Hayes had just walked in.
Dressed in a black hoodie and blue jeans, he looked much more relaxed than usual.
Students whispered as he passed.
"Morning, Alexander!"
"Hey, Alex!"
He acknowledged them with a simple nod.
Emily pretended not to notice him and continued eating.
Olivia leaned closer.
"I think he's looking this way."
Emily rolled her eyes.
"Eat your breakfast."
Before Olivia could answer, someone pulled out the empty chair opposite Emily.
She looked up.
Alexander.
"Is this seat taken?"
Emily blinked.
"No."
He sat down calmly.
The entire cafeteria seemed to freeze.
Whispers spread from one table to another.
"Did Alexander Hayes just sit with her?"
"I've never seen him eat with anyone."
Sophia Blake, who had just entered the cafeteria, stopped walking.
Her eyes widened.
"What..."
Her best friend, Chloe, sighed.
"This isn't good."
Sophia's jaw tightened.
Emily noticed everyone staring.
She sighed.
"They're looking at us."
Alexander continued drinking his coffee.
"They always look."
"Doesn't it bother you?"
"No."
Emily shook her head.
"I don't understand how you're so calm."
Alexander looked at her.
"You'll get used to people talking."
"I don't want to."
A tiny smile appeared on his face.
"You will."
Emily couldn't believe it.
Was he... joking?
---
After breakfast, they walked toward the science building together.
Students moved aside as Alexander passed.
Emily noticed it immediately.
"Why is everyone afraid of you?"
"They're not."
"They definitely are."
Alexander shrugged.
"I don't pay attention."
Emily laughed.
"I wish I could ignore people that easily."
Before they reached the building, a football rolled across the pathway.
Without thinking, Emily bent down to pick it up.
A little boy, no older than eight, ran toward her.
"I'm sorry!"
Emily smiled warmly.
"It's okay."
She handed him the ball.
The little boy grinned.
"Thank you, big sister!"
Emily ruffled his hair.
"Be careful next time."
The boy waved before running back to his friends.
Alexander had been watching quietly.
"You like children."
Emily looked at him.
"I love them."
"Why?"
She smiled softly.
"They're honest. They don't judge people because of money or popularity."
Alexander didn't say anything.
Instead, he looked away.
Her words lingered in his mind.
---
Later that afternoon, Professor Williams entered the lecture hall.
"I have an announcement."
The class became silent.
"Next month, the university will host its annual Medical Research Competition."
Students exchanged excited glances.
"The competition will be done in pairs."
Emily smiled.
"This sounds interesting."
Professor Williams continued.
"The winning team will receive a cash prize, internship opportunities, and the chance to represent St. Victoria University internationally."
The classroom erupted into excited whispers.
"Since you've already been assigned partners, those same partners will compete together."
Emily glanced at Alexander.
He remained expressionless.
Professor Williams smiled.
"I expect every team to give their best."
---
After class, Emily and Alexander walked toward the library again.
Halfway there, Emily stopped.
"What?"
Alexander asked.
"My shoelace."
She bent down to tie it.
At that exact moment, a speeding bicycle came racing down the pathway.
"Move!"
someone shouted.
Emily looked up too late.
Before she could react, Alexander grabbed her wrist and pulled her toward him.
The bicycle rushed past, missing her by only a few centimeters.
Emily's heart pounded wildly.
She realized she was standing incredibly close to Alexander.
Close enough to hear his heartbeat.
Close enough to feel his warm breath.
For a moment...
Neither of them moved.
Neither of them spoke.
Their eyes met.
The world around them seemed to disappear.
"Are you okay?" Alexander asked quietly.
Emily nodded, still trying to steady her breathing.
"I... I'm fine."
Only then did he slowly let go of her hand.
Neither of them noticed Sophia standing several meters away.
She had seen everything.
Her fists clenched so tightly that her nails dug into her palms.
"No..."
she whispered, her eyes burning with jealousy.
"This is getting out of control."
And for the first time, Sophia decided that simply warning Emily would no longer be enough.
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