Love Diaries : The Good Girl

Chapter 10 : The Final Push

The weeks after the ball passed quickly, and the university returned to its usual rhythm of lectures, deadlines, research papers, and final examinations. The excitement of the event disappeared almost overnight, replaced by the pressure of finishing the semester. For Elle, the return to academics was almost comforting. Grades were easier to understand than the confusing feelings she had been carrying since the ball.

She threw herself into her studies, determined to finish the semester at the top. Her rivalry with Adrian had always been something she could rely on, even when everything else became complicated. She still wanted to beat him, even if she couldn't explain why seeing his name below hers gave her so much satisfaction.

Then she noticed something strange.

Elle was working in the library when she caught a glimpse of Ethan's research proposal on his laptop. She wasn't intentionally looking at his work, but a familiar phrase immediately caught her attention. She leaned closer and read the outline.

Her expression changed.

The topic was almost identical to hers. The research direction, supporting points, and even some of the arguments were remarkably similar.

“Ethan?”

He looked up. “Yeah?”

“When did you decide on this topic?”

“A few weeks ago. Why?”

Elle looked down at her own notes before looking back at him. “Because it's almost exactly what I'm working on.”

Ethan's expression barely changed. “Really? I guess we had the same idea.”

“You knew about my proposal.”

“I saw your notes in the library before. You weren't exactly hiding them.”

Elle studied him. “I never showed you the entire proposal.”

“I didn't copy anything, Elle.”

She wasn't convinced, especially because of what had happened in the library before the ball. Still, she didn't want another confrontation. She had enough problems to deal with.

“Fine,” she said.

Ethan gave her a small smile. “See? It's just a coincidence.”

Elle nodded, but she didn't believe him.

Instead of wasting time arguing, she decided to change her topic completely. If Ethan wanted to work on the same idea, he could have it. She would simply make hers better.

Over the next several days, Elle rebuilt her proposal from the beginning. She searched for stronger sources, developed a different angle, and added arguments that made the research more original. By the time she finished, she was satisfied with the result.

More importantly, she stopped thinking about Ethan's paper.

Her attention returned to the person she actually considered her competition.

Adrian.

She wanted to finish the semester ahead of him.

Except Adrian wasn't around.

At first, Elle barely noticed his absence. He missed one class, then another. Eventually, several days passed without him showing up. His empty seat became impossible to ignore.

One afternoon, Elle casually asked Jason, “Do you know where Adrian is?”

“Family stuff,” Jason answered.

“Is everything okay?”

Jason shrugged. “I think so.”

The answer didn't sound convincing.

Elle didn't ask again, but she found herself thinking about it more than she wanted to. She checked the classroom door whenever someone entered, expecting Adrian to walk in with his usual arrogant expression and some irritating comment about her grades.

He never did.

She told herself she was only worried because Adrian was her rival. If something happened to him, it could affect their competition. But the explanation didn't completely satisfy her, especially when she caught herself checking her phone to see if he had sent her anything.

He hadn't.

---

Final examinations arrived, and the entire campus seemed to become quieter. Students spent their days studying in classrooms, libraries, and coffee shops, desperately trying to remember everything they had learned throughout the semester.

Elle studied with Mia, Sofi, and Claire whenever they could find time together. Ethan remained around as well, offering help and trying to maintain the friendship they had built before his confession. Elle kept things polite. She had forgiven him for what happened, but she still hadn't completely forgotten it.

The final exam arrived sooner than expected.

Elle sat at her desk, took a deep breath, and began. For hours, she focused completely on the questions. When she finally placed her pen down, she felt exhausted but satisfied.

The semester was over.

As the students began leaving the room, Elle instinctively looked toward the door.

Adrian wasn't there.

She had expected him to stay until the results were released, but he had already left.

What Elle didn't know was that Adrian had a reason. His father needed him to fly to another state because of a family problem. Adrian hadn't told his classmates, and he hadn't told Elle. He simply wanted to finish his final exam before leaving.

---

When the final rankings were released, Elle immediately searched for her name.

**1. Elle Reyes**

A smile appeared on her face.

She scrolled down.

**2. Adrian Cole**

Second place.

Again.

Elle couldn't resist teasing him. She opened their conversation and typed:

**Elle:** Still number one. You really need to try harder next semester.

She smiled, already imagining his response.

Usually, Adrian would answer almost immediately. He would challenge her, make some sarcastic comment, or promise to beat her next time.

Nothing came.

Elle waited.

Still nothing.

She checked the message again.

No reply.

That wasn't like Adrian.

For some reason, the victory suddenly didn't feel as satisfying as it should have.

---

Ethan saw the ranking shortly afterward.

He walked over to Elle with a smile, keeping his frustration hidden.

“Congratulations,” he said. “First place again.”

Elle looked up. “Thanks.”

“You deserved it.”

She smiled. “You did well too.”

Ethan glanced at the ranking.

**3. Ethan Blake.**

He forced himself to smile.

“Maybe next semester.”

“Definitely,” Elle replied.

He congratulated her again before moving away, but the pleasant expression disappeared as soon as he turned his back. His first plan hadn't gone the way he expected. Getting closer to Elle hadn't pushed Adrian out of her thoughts, and academically, he was still behind both of them.

Next school year would require something more carefully planned.

Something that would hurt both of them.

Something that would finally make them stop looking at each other as their only competition.

But for now, Ethan had another idea.

He turned back toward Elle.

“Hey, Elle.”

She looked at him.

“Did you hear about Adrian transferring to another school next year?”

Elle's expression immediately changed.

“What did you say?”

Ethan shrugged casually. “I asked if you heard about Adrian transferring.”

“How did you know about it?”

“Just heard about it from somewhere.”

Elle stared at him, suddenly uneasy.

Adrian transferring?

She thought about the last time they had spoken at the ball. She remembered his anger, the kiss, her reaction, and the way everything had ended between them. Afterward, Adrian had barely appeared in class. He hadn't answered her message, and now he might be leaving the university entirely.

But why?

Was it because of what happened between them? Or had something else happened that she didn't know about?

Ethan watched her carefully, saying nothing more. He had no idea whether the rumor was true. But he had seen exactly the reaction he wanted.

Elle was worried. She was destructed.

She picked up her phone and stared at Adrian's unanswered message. She needed to talk to him. Soon.

And Ethan walked away with the faintest smile, already thinking about what he could do next. This is the plan and he will make sure it will work out this time.