Bound Through Secrets

Chapter Three

I settled at a quiet table in the campus square, pulling out my laptop. I wrote a careful email to my advisor, asking to switch my math class. It was just past 11 a.m. The morning's chaos getting hit by a door and visiting the health center made me miss my other class.

I sent my professor an email explaining the incident and requesting today's work. I included a photo of my medical instructions, stamped with today's date, as proof.

Letting the warm sunshine wash over me, I closed my eyes and turned off my computer. My anxiety was lessened by the gentle wind and distant student murmur. The light abruptly faded. I opened my eyes, expecting a cloud, but found Ethan standing there. I frowned, frustrated that my sore tongue kept me silent. I couldn't argue, so I had to endure his excuses.

I opened my laptop and started typing, ready for his predictable words.

"Lila, I regret everything," he said, his voice low.

You don't mean that, I typed, turning the screen toward him. His face tightened.

With a hint of annoyance, he said, "You're not talking to me?"

I won't, I typed.

"This is immature, Lila. We need to discuss this," he said, his tone sharp.

No, we don't, I wrote.

"I love you, Lila. Please, let me explain," he said, stepping closer, his eyes pleading.

I stopped loving you. Leave me alone, I typed, leaning back to evade his reach.

With his palm hanging close to me, he urged, "You can't just quit loving me like that."

"Definitely, I can. Go away,' I typed firmly.

"She was nothing to me. It was a mistake. Forgive me, Lila," he begged.

I owe you nothing. Leave, or I'll make a scene, I typed, staring him down.

"You wouldn't dare," he said, eyeing me.

Test me, I wrote.

He hesitated, then sighed and walked off, his shoulders slumped.

Alone, I let tears fall, my heart torn between anger and pain.

Ethan was my first love, promising forever. How could he break that with Mia? His betrayal cut deep, unforgivable.

"Lila, are you okay?" Sophia's voice pulled me back. Her blonde hair was pulled back, her face soft with concern.

I handed her my medical instructions to show I couldn't talk.

Then I typed, Ethan found me.

"That awful man," Sophia said, scanning the crowd, her blue eyes narrowing. "Did he upset you?"

I shook my head but admitted with a small gesture that he had, a little. Sophia sat down, arms crossed, her face set with determination.

"I'll handle him if I see him," she said.

I nodded, thankful, though I didn't want her fighting for me.

Sophia ate her sandwich while I drank a smoothie, my stomach growling but my tongue too sore for food.

"Here's a new phone for you," a voice said. The freshman from earlier stood there, offering a box with a shiny new phone. I shook my head, pushing it back.

"She won't even let me buy her one," Sophia said, pointing at the box. "Who are you?"

"I'm Sam, the one who caused her injury," he said, nodding at my face.

"Leave the phone and go. She won't return it if you do," Sophia said, teasing. I shot her a look.

I don't like expensive gifts. I want to earn things myself to avoid feeling let down. Sam gave a warm smile.

"Please, Lila, take it," he said. "I feel terrible. You're hurt and can't talk because of me."

After a pause, I nodded. I'd take it only because my old phone was broken, and I needed one. It felt strange, but I could trade it for a simpler phone later.

"Thank you," Sam said, relieved. "It's set up with your old phone's data. My number's there if vou need me."

Sophia chuckled. "What's your goal here, Sam?"

"Hey, Tom," Sam said as another freshman joined us. He had curly brown hair and green eyes. Why were all these new students appearing?

Sam remarked, carrying his backpack over one shoulder, "Lila, come out with us this weekend. It'll be a big group, some older students too. Should be fun."

I hesitated, shifting my weight. Crowds weren't exactly my thing.

*We'll be there," Sophia cut in before I could speak, her smile bright and entirely too confident.

I shot her a glare. "We?" I mouthed.

She just grinned and looped her arm through mine. "She'll text you the details," she added breezily.

"Awesome. See you then," Sam said, nodding before walking off with Tom.

I retreated from Sophia the moment they were out of earshot.

"What makes vou sav that?"

Because you need to get out. And because Sam was obviously hoping you'd say yes." She wiggled her brows.

I rolled my eyes but pulled out my phone anyway.

Lila: Does this work? I texted Sam to test the number, thumb hovering over the send button longer than necessary. I didn't know why I felt so cautious, like each word mattered too much.

Sam: It's real.

I stared at the reply, a strange flutter in my chest. So, I'm going out this weekend. With people. With him.

Would Noah be there?

That quiet hope returned, uninvited but persistent. I tried to push it down, but it stayed warm and annoying and just a little dangerous. Maybe it was just a night out. Or maybe, it was something more.