chapter 6
769 Words
Chapter 6
Saturday morning arrived with clear blue skies.
For the first time since classes had started, Emily didn't have to wake up before sunrise.
She stretched lazily before reaching for her phone.
8:15 a.m.
A message from Professor Williams appeared in the class group chat.
Professor Williams: Reminder! The Medical Research Competition begins in four weeks. Every pair should start researching this weekend.
Emily sighed.
"So much for sleeping in."
Olivia looked over from her bed.
"What happened?"
"Our competition."
Olivia groaned dramatically.
"I forgot about that."
Emily laughed.
"I'll be at the library if you need me."
---
At exactly ten o'clock, Emily arrived at the university library.
She expected to be the first one there.
She wasn't.
Alexander was already sitting at their usual table with several medical journals neatly arranged.
He looked up as she approached.
"You're early."
Emily smiled.
"I was going to say the same thing."
"I've been here since nine."
Emily stared at him.
"You've been studying for an hour already?"
Alexander nodded.
"I couldn't sleep."
She frowned.
"Do you always sleep so little?"
"I'm used to it."
Emily pulled out her chair.
"That's not healthy."
Alexander gave a small shrug.
"I've heard that before."
She looked at him for a moment before opening her notebook.
"You really need to take care of yourself."
For some reason, hearing those words from Emily felt different.
---
Hours passed as they worked together.
They compared research papers, discussed ideas, and debated possible topics for the competition.
Eventually, Emily smiled excitedly.
"I've got it!"
Alexander looked up.
"What?"
"What if we research the early detection of heart disease using artificial intelligence?"
He thought about it for a moment.
"It's ambitious."
"But possible."
Emily grinned.
"So... you like the idea?"
Alexander nodded.
"I do."
She couldn't hide her excitement.
"This could actually work!"
---
Around lunchtime, Alexander closed his notebook.
"Let's take a break."
Emily looked surprised.
"You suggested a break?"
He nodded.
"You told me yesterday that working without resting isn't healthy."
Emily smiled.
"I'm impressed."
"I learn quickly."
She laughed.
"I can see that."
---
They walked to a nearby café just outside the campus gates.
Instead of ordering coffee, Emily chose fruit juice and sandwiches.
Alexander raised an eyebrow.
"No coffee today?"
Emily smiled.
"Too much caffeine isn't good for you."
He looked at her.
"So that's why you ordered juice."
"I ordered it for myself."
She paused before pushing the second glass toward him.
"...But you can have this one."
Alexander looked at the juice, then at Emily.
"No one's ever done that for me."
Emily blinked.
"What?"
"Nothing."
He quietly accepted it.
For the first time in years, eating lunch didn't feel like another obligation.
It felt... peaceful.
---
As they left the café, they heard music playing in the university courtyard.
Students had organized a small charity fair.
There were food stalls, games, and live performances.
Emily's eyes lit up.
"It looks fun."
Alexander noticed her excitement.
"You want to look around?"
She smiled.
"Only if you don't mind."
"I don't."
They wandered through the stalls together.
Emily stopped at a booth where children from a local orphanage were selling handmade bracelets to raise money for books.
"They're beautiful," she said.
A little girl smiled shyly.
"My brother made those."
Emily immediately bought two bracelets.
Alexander watched quietly before taking out his wallet.
"I'll take the rest."
The volunteer looked shocked.
"Sir... are you sure?"
He nodded.
"Donate the money to the orphanage."
The children cheered happily.
Emily stared at him in surprise.
"You didn't have to do that."
Alexander looked at the children laughing together.
"I wanted to."
Emily smiled softly.
"So... the cold Alexander Hayes has a kind heart after all."
He looked at her.
"Don't tell anyone."
She laughed.
"Your secret is safe with me."
---
As they continued walking, neither of them noticed Sophia standing near the entrance to the fair.
She had watched everything.
Alexander smiling.
Emily laughing.
The bracelets.
The way they looked comfortable together.
Sophia's heart filled with anger.
She turned to Chloe.
"This has gone too far."
"What are you going to do?"
Sophia's lips curled into a cold smile.
"If Emily wants to stay close to Alexander..."
She folded her arms.
"...then I'll give the entire university a reason to hate her."
Chloe hesitated.
"Sophia... don't do anything you'll regret."
But Sophia had already made up her mind.
She pulled out her phone, opened a fake social media account, and began typing a post that would change everything.
By Monday morning, Emily Carter's peaceful university life would never be the same.
- Writer
