“Aileen!" someone called across the quad.
She turned to see Jennifer from her marketing class jogging over, waving two iced coffees.
“I got your order wrong," Jennifer said, catching her breath. “You said light caramel, and I got bold roast. I'll fix it."
Aileen blinked. “No, this is... fine."
“Are you sure?"
“I'm not picky. Just grateful."
Jennifer hesitated. “It's still weird not seeing you get into that car on Fridays."
Aileen smiled faintly. “Yeah. Me too."
“Honestly, we thought you'd transferred."
“No. Just... changed directions."
Jennifer handed her the coffee, eyes soft. “You seem different. Lighter."
“I think that's called air."
---
Later, during a study group, Aileen sat beside Michael for the first time without flinching when he brushed her sleeve.
He didn't lean cl
