Chapter 22
1197 Words
It had been three days since the campus tour, and the decision had been made — I was staying.
Emma was the happiest about it, of course. She’d hugged me tightly that morning and promised to visit every weekend if I ever got homesick. I’d smiled, though the truth was, I already missed her warmth — her voice, her soft hums in the kitchen, her way of making everything feel safe.
Now, I stood in my new dorm room, surrounded by boxes and the faint smell of new sheets. My side of the room looked painfully empty compared to the one across from me — whoever my roommate was, she clearly liked pink and perfume.
I sat on my bed and took a deep breath.
This was it. My chance to start over.
The first few days of classes weren’t terrible — just overwhelming. Law was everything I thought it would be and more: thick textbooks, long lectures, and professors who spoke like they’d swallowed a dictionary. Still, I tried. I wanted to prove I could do it.
But college life wasn’t easy to adjust to.
Everyone already seemed to know someone. They had groups, inside jokes, shared histories I wasn’t part of. Most times, I just kept to myself — sitting in the back, pretending to check notes while silently wishing for the day to end.
At least Timothy made things better.
He’d check on me between classes, sometimes bringing snacks or helping me find my way around. He was different here — confident, relaxed, like this was his world. And every time he smiled at me across the cafeteria, I forgot how out of place I felt.
---
It was during one of those cafeteria lunches that everything shifted again.
We were sitting at our usual corner table. I was eating quietly, still going over some notes, when Timothy slid something across the table toward me.
A small box. White. Sleek.
I blinked, confused. “What’s this?”
He smirked a little. “Open it.”
Inside was a brand-new phone — simple but beautiful, with a clear case and a faint shimmer under the lights.
My mouth fell open. “Timothy… what—?”
He laughed softly, leaning back in his chair. “It’s from Mum — well, technically from both of us. She didn’t want to just hand it over because she said you’d refuse it, so I volunteered to do the dirty work.”
I stared at him, stunned. “You really didn’t have to—”
“Yes, we did,” he cut in gently. “You need a phone. For classes, for emergencies… and, you know, to talk to me sometimes.”
That last part came out softer, almost shy, and it made my stomach flip unexpectedly.
“Timothy—”
“Amber,” he interrupted with that easy grin. “Don’t even think about saying no. It’s done. She’s already got the number registered in your name and everything.”
I couldn’t help but smile, biting my lip to hide how much it meant. “Thank you.”
“Anytime,” he said simply.
And just like that, the world felt lighter again — until I heard her voice.
“Wow. Upgrading people already, huh, Tim?”
I froze. That voice — smooth, teasing, but sharp.
Timothy’s shoulders stiffened before he even turned.
Standing a few feet away was her — the girl from before. Lydia.
She looked perfect, of course — her hair falling in effortless waves, her smile just a little too tight to be friendly. And this time, she wasn’t alone. A couple of her friends lingered behind her, whispering.
“Hey, Lydia,” Timothy said flatly.
She tilted her head. “Didn’t realize you two were this close now.” Her gaze flicked to the phone box in my hands, then to me. “New phone?”
I swallowed hard, unsure how to respond. “Um… yeah, it’s a—”
“Gift,” Timothy said firmly. “From Mum.”
“Oh.” Lydia’s smile didn’t falter, but her eyes said something else. “That’s sweet. Is she your new experiment now?”
The air seemed to shift. I froze, unsure if I’d heard her right. She seemed different than the first time we met.
Timothy’s jaw tightened. “That’s enough, Lydia.”
“I’m just saying,” she continued lightly, twirling a strand of her hair. “You move fast, that’s all. But hey, I guess we all cope differently, right?” she added, clearly upset about something between them.
He stood up then, his voice low and dangerous. “Don’t start.”
She raised her hands in mock surrender, that same fake smile plastered on her lips. “Relax, Tim. It was nice seeing you again.” Her gaze flicked to me one last time, colder now. “Good luck, Amber.”
And then she turned, her heels echoing faintly as she walked away.
I stared down at my tray, heart hammering. I didn’t know what to say, but I could tell from Timothy’s clenched fists that whatever history they had, it wasn’t a good one.
“Sorry about that,” he muttered, sinking back into his seat.
“It’s okay,” I said quietly, not sure what to say really.
---
By evening, I was finally back in my dorm, lying on my bed and staring at the ceiling. My mind kept replaying the encounter — Lydia’s look, the way she said my name like it tasted sour.
I didn’t even know her personally, but I could feel she already didn’t like me. And for reasons I couldn’t explain, that stung more than I wanted to admit.
The door creaked open, pulling me out of my thoughts. A girl walked in, carrying a pink duffel bag and humming under her breath. She looked about my age, with brown curls and bright hazel eyes.
“Oh! You must be Amber!” she said cheerfully, dropping her bag on the other bed. “I’m Juliet — your new roommate!”
Her smile was so bright it was almost disarming.
I sat up quickly. “Hi! Yeah, I’m Amber. It’s nice to meet you.”
She grinned. “Nice to meet you too. I heard we’re in the same department — Law, right?”
I blinked. “Really? That’s great.”
“Yeah,” she said, sitting on her bed. “We’re gonna be spending a lot of time together then. And…” she paused, smirking playfully, “you’re the one hanging out with Timothy, right?”
I frowned slightly. “You know him?”
She laughed softly. “Who doesn’t? My best friend used to date him.”
Something in my stomach dropped. “Your best friend?”
“Yeah,” she said easily, flipping open her notebook. “Lydia.”
I froze.
Of course.
Juliet didn’t seem to notice my silence as she kept unpacking. “Small world, huh?”
I managed a small nod, smiling tightly even as my thoughts spun.
Small world, I thought bitterly.
And somehow, it suddenly felt like it was about to get a lot smaller.
- Writer
