Even Top Students Fail

Deep Reflection

Lilith barely pushed open the door when Alice's sarcastic greeting hit her, "Look who's back, Miss 'Boys Before Besties'." Lilith had dropped by earlier, dumped her luggage, and vanished until now. Alice and Emma had cursed her absence countless times.

Glancing around, Lilith noticed the spotless room. She flashed Alice a sheepish grin. "Thanks, dear Alice." Only Alice would tackle such a chore. Emma was out of the question, and Amy could barely keep her own space tidy.

"Save it," Alice retorted haughtily. "Sweet talk won't cut it. My services aren't cheap."

"Fair enough," Lilith conceded. "How about William treats you to dinner? Order whatever - don't worry about my feelings."

Alice's eyes gleamed. "Oh, I couldn't... But if you insist..."

"Go wild," Lilith matched her grin. It was an unspoken rule that college boyfriends were fair game for exploitation.

As Lilith unpacked, they chatted about summer, classmates, and her earlier visit with William. Amy was out, probably with her boyfriend. Emma was around, but barely noticeable.

"So," Alice probed, voice laced with lechery, "spot any hot prospects with William?" Despite being single, Alice's man-hunting enthusiasm remained undiminished.

The girls often quizzed Alice about her type. With her looks and personality, she had no shortage of admirers. Yet she was remarkably passive in romance. The joke was that Alice's future boyfriend would be either a bad boy or a pretty boy.

"Hot prospects? Please," Lilith scoffed. "I saw one guy, less impressive than our classmates. But even if there were catches, could you really make a move?" She eyed Alice teasingly. Most girls in Room 503 frowned upon dating younger men, except Amy.

"Guess I'm doomed to spinsterhood," Alice lamented dramatically.

Just then, Lilith's phone rang. "Shh," she gestured.

"Hello?" Lilith answered.

William lounged on his bed, smiling as he spoke to Lilith. The joy of being so close was intoxicating.

"Finished unpacking?" he asked.

"Not yet," Lilith replied. "Mom packed too much. I'll bring some over tomorrow."

"Keep it," William said. "Probably all girly snacks anyway."

"Get along with your roommates," Lilith advised, motherly. "Don't be like before, always alone. Ms. Lin's not here now. College is different - like a miniature society. You understand?"

William glanced at his goofy roommates and agreed amiably. "Alright, get some sleep. Class starts tomorrow, right?"

"Mm-hmm," Lilith hummed. "I'll find you after class. Get to know your roommates."

"Okay. Kiss?" William ventured.

"Hanging up now," Lilith deflected, shy in front of her roommates. Their affection had been limited to hugs, still in the innocent hand-holding phase.

As Lilith was about to end the call, William suddenly said, "Lilith, isn't this wonderful?" He hung up before she could respond.

Lilith stood frozen, phone in hand. William was right - it was wonderful. She had never imagined such a sweet relationship with him. In her previous life, William had dated Angela briefly after high school.

The college entrance exam had left Lilith no energy for romance. By the time she recovered, William was taken. While not earth-shattering, first loves always leave a mark. Lilith remained single throughout college, despite suitors. Something was always missing - perhaps that initial spark.

After her rebirth, Lilith could have immediately confessed to William. But she hesitated, until circumstances brought them together.

Even now, as William's girlfriend, Lilith felt insecure. She was often passive, only advancing when William led. Compared to his enthusiasm, she seemed cold.

Her reaction to Angela stemmed from jealousy and anxiety. She felt as if she had stolen this relationship. Even knowing their time together would be brief, she couldn't shake her unease.

But William's simple "Isn't this wonderful?" cleared her mind. Her rebirth had altered fate. Why cling to anxieties? It wasn't fair to herself or William. She finally understood what she lacked - not guilt over Angela, not emotional detachment, but passion.

William was genuinely invested. He studied hard to close the gap between them, called during breaks just to hear her voice, and rushed to see her after submitting college applications. He even introduced her to his parents, boldly asking his father for clothes to demonstrate his sincerity.

In contrast, Lilith had done little. She only offered small gestures when William made an effort. During his year of intense study, she had visited him only once, when they had their sole argument. She hadn't even considered introducing William to her parents.

"Xiao Xue, what are you thinking about? I've been calling you for ages," Alice said, noticing Lilith's daze.

"What else but her little boyfriend? Look at her glow," Amy chimed in, looking even more stunning than before summer break.

"It's nothing," Lilith sighed, flopping onto her bed. "Just pondering the nature of love."

Amy perked up. "Love? It's nothing. It's everything. It's whatever you want it to be."

"Why so philosophical?" Alice asked. "Weren't you just cooing with your boy toy?"

"It's not that," Lilith mused. "I might've been too cold towards William. Maybe I should treat him better." Though she had sparked a dorm-wide discussion on love, Lilith's mind was elsewhere. She resolved to bring William breakfast tomorrow, determined to shower him with warmth. But for now, sleep called.

Oblivious to Alice's growing conviction that the entire dorm had lost their minds, Lilith, having reached her epiphany, drifted off to sleep.