Tears of love

1. The crush. [Part2]

“We’re here,” Jeremy says, pulling me out of my thoughts.

I fake a smile and wait for him to open the car door for me.

“The university is huge,” I say, taking in my surroundings.

It’s not my first time here, but it’s the first time I really notice its size. The first time I feel small standing before something so big—but also excited, knowing that my professional life will begin to take shape here.

He nods as he walks beside me, guiding me toward the admissions office.

We walk down a long hallway lined with offices, and he points to the last one on the right.

“It’s that one, butterfly.”

I nod and start walking in that direction, but stop when I realize he isn’t following me.

“Aren’t you coming?” I ask, confused.

He shakes his head, pulling his phone from his pocket.

“I need to call Sabrina,” he says distractedly, eyes fixed on his screen.

I nod again, wearing another fake smile, and head toward the office. Just before I step inside, I hear his voice greet Sabrina with a soft, affectionate “hey, love.”

I’m his butterfly.

She’s his love.

I take a deep breath and shake my head, forcing myself to focus on what matters—getting enrolled. I look at the woman sitting behind the desk and approach her, handing over my documents and clinging to the task in front of me, trying to block out Jeremy’s gentle tone as he talks to his girlfriend.

“Good morning,” I say with a polite smile.

“Good morning,” she replies kindly. “Are you here to drop off your admission papers?”

I nod, focusing on her and trying to tune out the background noise of Jeremy’s voice.

I answer all her questions while she types diligently on her computer.

“Once you fill out this form,” she says, handing me a document, “everything will be set.”

“Could I borrow a pen?” I ask.

She nods, but before she can hand me one, a voice behind me says,

“I can lend you mine.”

I turn toward the voice and find a guy with dark hair and eyes. He’s handsome, but what really stands out is his friendly smile. His sudden presence startles me a little—I didn’t even notice when he walked in—which makes him chuckle softly.

“Thanks,” I say, smiling back as I take the pen from his hand.

I start filling out the form, and he sits beside me, doing the same.

When I finish, I hand the pen back to him and the form to the woman at the desk.

“All done,” she says, checking my name on the document. “Miss Carson, in a few days you’ll receive your university login information by email. Don’t forget your class start date and the induction week.”

“Thank you so much,” I say, smiling as I stand up.

I give one last glance to the pen guy, who’s now filling out his own form. He looks up and meets my eyes, and I give him a shy smile. He smiles back. Then I turn and leave to look for Jeremy.

Outside, I find him sitting in the waiting area.

“All done! I’m officially a college girl!” I say cheerfully, making him laugh. “Will you show me around campus?” I ask, eager to spend more time with him.

But his expression falls, and I already know I won’t like what comes next.

“Butterfly, I have to go pick up Sabrina,” he says, looking uncomfortable. It’s the first time he’s ever canceled plans with me, and the sting of it cuts deep. “How about we do it another day?”

I bite my lip and do what I always do when it comes to him—pretend to smile.

“Don’t worry, I’ll look around by myself.”

“I can show you the campus,” someone says behind me.

I turn, and it’s the same guy from the office. “Sorry,” he adds with an apologetic smile, “I couldn’t help overhearing and…”

“Wait—” I frown. “Aren’t you new too? How do you know your way around?”

He grins, flashing perfect white teeth.

“My mom teaches here. It’s not my first time on campus.”

I’m still not sure what to say, but Jeremy cuts in before I can answer.

“Perfect, butterfly,” he says, giving me one of those fake smiles I know too well. “This way, you’ll make new friends.”

“Jeremy…”

“Here,” he interrupts, pulling out some bills and handing them to me. “Pay for your taxi home with this.”

I press my lips into a thin line, fighting to keep the pain out of my expression.

“Thanks,” I whisper, though I’m not sure he even hears me—he’s already walking quickly toward the exit.

I watch him until he disappears from sight, then turn back to the guy from the office.

“I’m Ryan,” he says, smiling warmly.

“Aurora,” I reply, forcing a smile even though the last thing I feel like doing is smiling. I hate that I can be so easily hurt by moments like this.

Ryan studies me for a few seconds, and I have to look down, feeling as though he can read every thought on my face.

Can he see my unrequited love?

“You can just say no if you’d rather not,” he murmurs gently.

“No,” I shake my head. “Show me the campus.”

He smiles, and soon we’re walking together through the university—the tour I had imagined taking with Jeremy.

Once again, maybe already used to it, I ignore the familiar ache in my chest that always comes with his name.