Broken Until You

Episode3

Broken Until You

---

Amelia Hart's POV

Wednesday mornings were Amelia's favorite.

Unlike Mondays, the campus wasn't filled with sleepy students rushing to class. Instead, people walked a little slower, laughed a little louder, and seemed to enjoy the middle of the week.

Amelia balanced two sketchbooks against her chest as she walked beneath the old maple trees leading toward the Fine Arts Building.

A cool breeze played with the loose strands of her chestnut hair.

She closed her eyes for a second.

"This is nice..."

"You know talking to yourself is the first sign of madness."

Amelia opened one eye.

"Lily."

Her best friend stood beside her with a grin.

"I've been calling your name for the past minute."

"I didn't hear you."

"You were daydreaming again."

"I was appreciating nature."

Lily laughed.

"No, you were designing another dress in your head."

"...Maybe."

"I knew it."

The two girls continued walking together.

"Guess what?" Lily asked.

"What?"

"The Student Creative Exhibition is next month."

Amelia's eyes widened.

"Already?"

"Already."

"You should enter."

"I don't know..."

"Amelia."

Lily stopped walking.

"You've been saying 'I don't know' ever since first year."

"What are you afraid of?"

"I'm not afraid."

"You are."

Amelia sighed.

"What if my designs aren't good enough?"

Lily stared at her as though she'd just heard the most ridiculous thing imaginable.

"The girl whose portfolio made Professor Carter speechless..."

"...thinks she's not good enough?"

Amelia smiled awkwardly.

"Confidence doesn't come naturally."

"It comes after hard work."

Lily shook her head.

"One day you'll see yourself the way everyone else does."

---

Ryan Carter's POV

Ryan leaned against the balcony outside the Business Department.

His classes had ended early.

Normally, he would have gone straight home.

Instead...

He found himself watching the courtyard below.

Students crossed from one building to another.

Some laughed.

Some argued.

Some hurried to lectures.

His eyes landed on Amelia and Lily.

Jason stepped beside him.

"Still watching the fashion department?"

Ryan smirked.

"You're imagining things."

Jason folded his arms.

"I've known you for three years."

"You only pay attention to people when they interest you."

Ryan didn't answer.

Jason continued.

"So?"

"So what?"

"What do you think of Amelia?"

Ryan watched as Amelia bent down to help another student gather papers scattered by the wind.

She smiled while handing the papers back.

No hesitation.

No expectation of thanks.

Just kindness.

"She seems..."

He searched for the word.

"...different."

Jason nodded.

"She is."

Ryan looked thoughtful.

"In what way?"

"You'll figure it out."

Jason walked away before Ryan could ask another question.

Ryan remained where he was.

Different...

He couldn't explain why that single word lingered in his mind.

---

Lily Morgan's POV

Lily had known Amelia for almost three years.

She knew when Amelia was genuinely happy.

She knew when Amelia was pretending.

And today...

Something felt different.

Not bad.

Just...

Distracted.

During lunch Amelia stared out the cafeteria window far more than she spoke.

"What are you thinking about?" Lily finally asked.

"Hmm?"

"You've been quiet."

Amelia smiled.

"I'm just wondering what life will look like after graduation."

Lily smiled softly.

"You'll become famous."

"I don't want fame."

"I know."

"You've told me."

"You want women to wear your dresses and feel confident."

Amelia laughed.

"I've said that a lot, haven't I?"

"About a hundred times."

"I'll probably say it a hundred more."

Lily smiled.

"And I'll still listen."

For a moment...

Neither of them spoke.

Friendship didn't always need words.

Sometimes...

Simply sharing the silence was enough.

---

Unknown POV

Inside an elegant office overlooking downtown Westbridge...

A man in his late fifties signed the final page of a contract.

Across from him sat another businessman.

"The Kingsley merger?"

"It's almost complete."

"What about your grandson?"

The older man removed his glasses.

"Alexander isn't interested."

"He'll have to be."

"The company will be his one day."

"And marriage?"

A faint smile crossed the old man's face.

"My grandson can negotiate billion-dollar deals..."

"...yet becomes impossible whenever the conversation turns to love."

The two men shared a quiet laugh.

Neither of them realized...

That somewhere else in the same city...

The young woman who would one day change Alexander Kingsley's life was spending another ordinary afternoon chasing a dream with pencil and paper.

Fate had not yet introduced them.

But their stories were already moving toward the same destination.

One page at a time.

Dreams, Doubts, and Hidden Intentions

Amelia Hart's POV

The final lecture ended just before four o'clock.

Instead of heading straight home with the other students, Amelia walked toward the fashion studio.

It had become her sanctuary.

Whenever the world felt too noisy, this room offered silence.

Whenever she doubted herself, her sketches reminded her why she had started.

She switched on the lights and smiled as they illuminated rows of mannequins and sewing machines.

Professor Carter looked up from a pile of portfolios.

"I knew I'd find you here."

Amelia laughed softly.

"Is it that obvious?"

"You've spent more time in this studio than some of my assistants."

"I like it here."

Professor Carter nodded.

"I know."

She handed Amelia a sealed envelope.

"It arrived this morning."

Amelia frowned.

"For me?"

"Open it."

Inside was an invitation.

National Young Designers Showcase

Her eyes widened.

"They invited me?"

Professor Carter smiled proudly.

"I submitted your portfolio two months ago."

"You never told me."

"I wanted to wait until they replied."

Amelia looked down at the elegant invitation in disbelief.

Only fifty graduating students from across the country would be chosen.

"I... I don't know what to say."

"Say you'll make me proud."

A smile spread across Amelia's face.

"I'll do my best."

"No."

Professor Carter corrected gently.

"You'll do better than your best."

"You always do."

---

Lily Morgan's POV

Lily sat beneath the large oak tree outside the Fine Arts Building, scrolling through her phone while waiting for Amelia.

She smiled as a familiar name flashed across the screen.

Mom Calling...

"Hi, Mom."

"Are you still on campus?"

"Waiting for Amelia."

"You two spend more time together than sisters."

Lily laughed.

"I know."

Her mother grew quiet for a moment.

"Take good care of her."

"I always do."

"I know you do."

Lily frowned slightly.

"Why do you sound so serious?"

"I don't know."

"I just have a feeling that life changes quickly."

Lily looked across the campus toward the fashion building.

Amelia emerged moments later, smiling brighter than she had all week.

She was holding an envelope tightly against her chest.

"There she is."

Lily waved enthusiastically.

"Over here!"

As Amelia approached, Lily immediately noticed the excitement in her eyes.

"What happened?"

"I got invited."

"Invited where?"

Amelia handed her the letter.

Lily read it once.

Then again.

Before suddenly throwing her arms around Amelia.

"I told you!"

"I told you that your talent would be recognized!"

Students walking past turned to look as Lily squealed with excitement.

Amelia couldn't stop laughing.

For a little while, the future felt wonderfully bright.

---

Ryan Carter's POV

Ryan was leaving the library when he noticed the two friends celebrating near the fountain.

Curious, he slowed his pace.

Jason joined him.

"What are they so happy about?"

Ryan shrugged.

"No idea."

Jason recognized Amelia immediately.

"Whatever it is, she probably earned it."

Ryan watched from a distance as Amelia carefully folded the invitation and slipped it into her bag.

She looked genuinely happy.

There was something refreshing about that.

No arrogance.

No need to show off.

Just quiet gratitude.

He turned away.

"Come on," Jason said.

"We're going to be late."

Ryan nodded and followed.

Neither of them realized that ordinary moments often become unforgettable memories only after they're gone.

For now, the campus echoed with laughter, dreams, and the promise of tomorrow.

None of them knew how quickly life could change.

But tonight...

The stars still shone over Westbridge.

And for Amelia Hart, hope still felt close enough to touch.

To be continued....