THE LAST SEMESTER

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE _ THE PROMISE

Olivia hurried down the academy corridor, clutching a stack of books against her chest.

‎"Olivia!"

‎She stopped but didn't turn around.

‎Asher caught up to her, slightly out of breath.

‎"I've been trying to talk to you all day."

‎Olivia lowered her eyes.

‎"You shouldn't."

‎"Why?"

‎She finally looked at him.

‎"Because people are starting to notice."

‎Asher frowned.

‎"I don't care what people think."

‎"I do."

‎There was a brief silence.

‎"Mia already thinks something is going on," Olivia said quietly. "She's your girlfriend, Asher."

‎"Olivia—"

‎She gently shook her head.

‎"I like you."

‎His heart skipped.

‎"But not like that."

‎"I think you're kind... and you've always been nice to me."

‎She forced a small smile.

‎"And that's exactly why you need to stay away from me."

‎Asher stared at her, confused.

‎"I don't want to come between you and Mia."

‎"I don't want anyone to hate me because of a misunderstanding."

‎She took a step back.

‎"So... please."

‎"Don't give people another reason to talk."

‎For the first time, Asher had no words.

‎Olivia offered him one last apologetic smile before quietly walking away.

‎Asher watched her disappear down the corridor, realizing she wasn't pushing him away because she disliked him...

‎She was pushing him away because she cared too much about hurting other people.

‎

‎

‎Omar found Asher sitting alone on the academy steps, absentmindedly tossing pebbles across the courtyard.

‎"You've been avoiding Olivia," Omar said as he sat beside him.

‎Asher sighed.

‎"So?"

‎"So it's making you look miserable."

‎"I'm fine."

‎"No," Omar replied. "You look like someone stole your soul."

‎Asher let out a dry laugh.

‎"She rejected me."

‎There was a brief silence.

‎Omar turned to him.

‎"...She what?"

‎"Rejected me."

‎For a second, Omar simply stared.

‎Then—

‎He burst into laughter.

‎A loud, uncontrollable laugh.

‎Asher frowned.

‎"It's not funny."

‎Omar laughed even harder, wiping a tear from his eye.

‎"You... got rejected?"

‎"Yes!"

‎"The great Asher?"

‎"Will you stop laughing?"

‎"I can't!" Omar managed between laughs. "Do you know how many girls have been rejected by you over the years?"

‎"That's different."

‎"Oh, is it?" Omar grinned. "Looks like karma finally found your address."

‎Asher groaned, covering his face.

‎"I should've never told you."

‎Omar finally calmed down, still chuckling.

‎"Go talk to her."

‎"She told me to stay away."

‎"Then respect that," Omar said. "But don't spend the rest of the semester looking like you're attending your own funeral."

‎Asher shook his head with a reluctant smile.

‎"I seriously need better friends."

‎Omar smirked.

‎"You definitely do."

‎"Go back to Olivia"

‎

‎Professor Kael stood by the academy balcony, overlooking the training grounds.

‎"Omar."

‎The young prince stepped forward.

‎"You sent for me, Professor?"

‎Kael nodded.

‎"This concerns Olivia."

‎Omar's expression became serious.

‎"What about her?"

‎Kael folded his hands behind his back.

‎"She has enemies she doesn't even know exist."

‎Omar frowned.

‎"I need you to look after her."

‎"I already do."

‎"No," Kael said firmly. "I don't mean as Student Captain."

‎He turned to face Omar.

‎"I want you to protect her as if she were your own younger sister."

‎Omar was silent.

‎"If anything happens to her..." Kael continued, "...the consequences will reach far beyond this academy."

‎Omar met his gaze.

‎"You have my word."

‎"I'll protect her."

‎Kael gave a single nod.

‎"I knew you would."

‎As Omar turned to leave, Kael spoke one last time.

‎"And Omar..."

‎"She must never know why."

‎Without another word, Omar walked away, the weight of a promise now resting on his shoulders.

‎

‎

‎

‎Asher stood before Mia, his head lowered.

‎"I'm sorry."

‎"I never meant to hurt you."

‎Mia studied him for a long moment before speaking.

‎"I forgive you."

‎Asher exhaled in relief.

‎"But hear me carefully."

‎She stepped closer until only he could hear her.

‎"If Olivia ever becomes more than a friend to you..."

‎"...I'll make sure she regrets the day she met you."

‎Asher's smile vanished.

‎"Mia—"

‎"No."

‎Her voice was cold enough to freeze the air.

‎"I'm not threatening you."

‎"I'm promising you."

‎She held his gaze for another second before softening her expression.

‎"Don't make me become someone you won't recognize."

‎With that, she turned and walked away, leaving Asher frozen in place, wondering if she truly meant every word.