Threshold of Forever

CHAPTER X

3rd Person POV

As the morning light gently filtered through the curtains, Alessia stirred in the unfamiliar surroundings of Elise's room. The soft patter of rain against the window continued, a constant reminder of why she hadn't made it home last night. Stretching, Alessia sat up slowly, blinking away the remnants of sleep.

The room was cozy, decorated with framed photographs and shelves filled with books—typical of Elise's warm and eclectic style. Alessia glanced at the clock on the bedside table; it was early than she expected.

Just then, the door creaked open, and Elise entered with a tray in hand.

"Good morning! Thought you might be hungry" she said cheerfully, placing the tray on the nightstand. It held a steaming cup of coffee and a plate of freshly baked pastries.

Alessia smiled gratefully.

"Thank you, Eli. I didn't mean to impose it last night."

Elise waved off her concern.

"Nonsense. It was pouring outside, and I'm glad you stayed. Plus, it's nice to have you here" Alessia's cheek get red.

As they chatted, the weight of the upcoming exam crept into Alessia's thoughts.

"Eli, I almost forgot—we have that exam today," she said, a hint of worry in her voice.

Elise nodded understandingly.

"Yeah, I know. I've been studying like crazy for it. Don't worry too much, though. You'll do fine."

Alessia sighed, feeling a mix of nerves and gratitude for Elise's reassurance.

"I hope so. I didn't get much study time last night."Elise grinned.

"Well, lucky for you, I happen to be a master at last-minute cramming. We can go over the key points before we head out."

They spent the next hour reviewing notes and quizzing each other, the tension gradually easing as they laughed over tricky concepts and shared study tips. By the time they finished, Alessia felt more prepared and grateful for Elise's support.

As they gathered their things to head out for the exam, Elise glanced at Alessia thoughtfully.

"You know what? Since you stayed over unexpectedly, I bet you didn't bring a change of clothes for today, did you?"

Alessia nodded sheepishly. "No, I didn't think I'd need to."

Elise smiled warmly. "No worries. I have something that might fit you." She disappeared into her closet and returned with a stack of clothes. "Here, try these on."

She offered Alessia a cozy, oversized sweater in a soft, heather gray color, paired with dark wash jeans that had a comfortable, relaxed fit. Underneath the sweater, there was a plain white t-shirt for layering. To complete the outfit, Elise handed Alessia a pair of ankle boots that were stylish yet practical for the rainy weather outside.

Alessia quickly changed into the outfit, finding that despite the slight oversized fit, it was incredibly comfortable and suited her well. She rolled up the sleeves of the sweater slightly to fit her smaller frame, feeling grateful for Elise's thoughtfulness and generosity.

"Ready to ace this exam?" Elise asked with a grin, gathering her books.

Alessia nodded, a newfound determination settling in.

"Definitely. Thanks, Eli. For everything."

They headed out into the rainy morning, umbrella in hand, ready to face the challenges of the day together—both as friends and as students navigating their academic journey.

The school parking lot was damp from the earlier rain as Alessia and Elise arrived, their footsteps echoing in the quiet morning. Elise's sleek car gleamed under the overcast sky, parked neatly in its usual spot near the entrance.As they approached, Dayne, Elise's lively friend, leaned casually against her car nearby, a playful grin spreading across her face as she spotted them.

"Well, well, well, look who's carpooling today," Dayne teased, her voice carrying a teasing edge.

"Gab, did you finally find yourself a new companion? Alessia right?, looks like you've hitched a ride with the elusive Gab."Alessia felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment, a shy smile forming as she glanced down at her feet. Elise shot Dayne a half-hearted glare, her annoyance evident in the way she crossed her arm.

"Dayne, it's not like that" Elise replied, her tone slightly defensive.

"She stayed over last night because of the rain. We're just heading in the same direction today."Dayne raised an eyebrow playfully.

"Uh-huh, sure. Rainy nights leading to cozy car rides, huh?"Alessia chuckled nervously, adjusting the sleeves of Elise's borrowed sweater.

She could feel her cheeks growing warmer with each passing moment.Elise sighed, clearly exasperated now.

"Dayne, seriously, drop it. It's not what you think."Dayne grinned, enjoying the playful banter.

Just as Dayne was about to reply, his expression turned curious.

"Wait a minute," she said, narrowing her eyes at Alessia. "Why were you at Elise's house anyway?"

Alessia hesitated for a moment, feeling a pang of discomfort. She glanced at Elise, who nodded encouragingly. Taking a deep breath.

"Actually, Avery wanted to see me because I got bullied yesterday. Elise offered me her dress to wear, and that's why I stayed over."Alessia explained softly.

"Alright, alright. Just making sure you're not keeping secrets from me, Gabriella."Just then, Dayne's playful expression turned mischievous as she noticed something.

"Hold up" she said, leaning closer to Alessia with a curious gaze.

"Isn't that Elise's sweater you're wearing?"Alessia's cheeks turned even redder as Dayne's observation drew attention to the borrowed clothes.

"Um, yeah," she admitted shyly, tugging at the sweater self-consciously.Dayne's grin widened knowingly.

"Well, well, Gab, seems like Alessia is already raiding your wardrobe. Should I be worried you'll start dressing her all next?"Elise groaned, shaking her head.

"Dayne, you're impossible."Alessia couldn't help but laugh along with them, grateful for their lighthearted teasing despite her embarrassment. She glanced at Elise, who gave her a reassuring smile, silently conveying that everything was okay.

As they all prepared to head to their classes, the banter continued, the morning rain and shared moments creating a bond that Alessia was starting to appreciate more with each passing day.

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It's a lame chapter, my apologies.