"Fine."Seraphina wiped the corner of her eye."Explain."Zevian remained quiet for a few seconds.Then he shoved both hands into his pockets."I want to graduate first."Seraphina blinked."What?""Graduate.""I know what graduate means.""Good."Her eyes narrowed."Don't start.""Sorry."Zevian looked ahead.Students passed in the distance, but neither paid much attention to them."I spent most of my life thinking about what happens tomorrow."Seraphina became quiet."School. Work. Rent. Food."He shrugged."Nothing dramatic. That's just how things were."Willowbrook.Moving out at sixteen.Supporting himself while finishing high school.Working while attending Auremont.Seraphina knew those things.But she'd never heard Zevian speak about them this way."I got into Auremont because Professor Ashford practically forced me to apply."A faint smile appeared on his face."Aunt Martha spent years making sure I had somewhere to go back to."He paused."A lot of people gave me chances."S

The black box felt heavier than it should have.Seraphina carried it inside her bag throughout the entire morning.Classes passed.Lunch came and went.Several times, she saw Zevian.Several times, she nearly called him over.But she waited.Not because she was changing her mind.She simply wanted enough time to tell him everything.No interruptions.No excuses.No convenient half-truths.By late afternoon, most classes had ended.Seraphina found Zevian outside one of the academic buildings.He was sitting beneath a tree, looking at his phone."Zevian."He looked up."Senior."Normally, she would have complained.Today, she didn't.That alone made him lower his phone."What's wrong?""I need to tell you something.""Sounds serious.""It is."Zevian studied her face.Then stood."Alright."Seraphina led him toward a quieter part of campus.There were still students in the distance, but the benches along the tree-lined path were mostly empty.They sat.For several seconds, Seraphina sai

"Oh, shit."Zevian looked around.This was becoming a disaster.Seraphina Sinclair was crying.On campus.In front of him.And people were noticing.Two students walking along the path slowed.Another looked over from a nearby bench.Whispers began almost immediately."Is that Goddess Sinclair?""She's crying.""Who's with her?""Zevian Rook."Zevian's eyelid twitched.Perfect."Sera."She wiped her eyes."I'm fine.""You are visibly not fine.""I said I'm fine."Another tear rolled down her cheek.Zevian stared at it.Then at her.Then toward the students watching them."Sera, please stop."Her face crumpled further.Zevian panicked."That's not what I meant!"Seraphina covered her face.Her shoulders shook."Why are you telling me to stop?!""Because people are looking!""So?""They're going to think I'm bullying you!"Several meters away, a student whispered,"Did he make her cry?"Zevian heard it.His expression became pained."See?"Seraphina tried to control herself.That someho

At exactly seven that evening, Zevian stood outside the restaurant Seraphina had chosen.He looked down at his phone.7:00 PM.Perfect.Then a black luxury sedan stopped near the entrance.Seraphina stepped out.Her eyes immediately moved toward the parking area.Then toward Zevian.Then around him."Where's your bicycle?"Zevian raised an eyebrow."You told me to have some dignity."Her expression brightened slightly."You listened?""No. Fatty borrowed it."Seraphina's smile disappeared."Of course.""He wanted to buy something.""You own a motorcycle.""Also true."She stared at him.Some things would apparently never change."Come on."They entered the restaurant.For the first time since Seraphina had started approaching Zevian, there was nothing hidden beneath the dinner.No Love Box.No strategy.No thirty-day deadline.No carefully planned move.She simply wanted to eat with him.The realization felt strangely liberating.They ordered.Zevian looked around."Expensive.""I can

The next afternoon, Elara arrived at the library at exactly four.Not early.Exactly four.She considered this an achievement.Zevian was already there.Her achievement immediately became irritating."You're early again."He looked up."Three minutes."Elara sat across from him."Do you live here?""No.""Then why are you always here before me?""Superior time management.""You slept through the drive yesterday.""Efficient time management."She rolled her eyes.Their presentation was nearly complete.Whitmore Hospitality had turned out to be an excellent case study, especially after their site visit gave them operational details unavailable through public reports.Elara opened the slides."We need to practice."Zevian frowned."Why?""So we don't stand in front of the class reading slides.""I wasn't planning to.""I know.""Then?""I'm planning to make sure you don't improvise half the presentation because you suddenly think of something better."Zevian considered it."Reasonable."