Part 3

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          As we hear the words, "I'm... pregnant," I feel a nudge and see our friends rushing to hug Mrs. Heather. I'm still in shock, but after a few seconds, I snap out of it and join in. We gather around her, congratulating and showering her with love.

I glance up at Hayden, who's beaming with a bright smile like he already knew."How is this possible, Mrs. Heather?" Daniel asks, curiosity getting the better of him. "Well, with you guys heading off to university soon, Hayden and I decided to take a chance. We consulted a doctor, underwent treatments to deal with my issue, and I've been taking medication... and that's how you'll be getting a new sibling!" she explains.

"Tonight's a party!" Hayden exclaims. "Aren't we heading to our new apartment?" Brandon asks, confused.

"Oh dear, I forgot to share you the news!" Hayden replies. "Yesterday, Alex approached me about taking a gap year to focus on improving your skills and mastering part-time jobs. He highlighted the benefits, and I contacted the universities. They informed me that a gap year is already part of their plan, with only three classes per week, each just two hours long."

"So, today we'll just be visiting your universities to get familiar with them, and then we'll head back home to celebrate tonight!" Hayden explains.

"I forgot to mention this earlier, as Mrs. Heather's pregnancy news last night took me by surprise and it completely slipped my mind," Hayden says with a chuckle. "Anyway, since your stuff has already been shipped, you'll be heading to your new apartment tomorrow to get settled and explore the area. Remember to look for part-time jobs nearby. We'll discuss the details later."

We shrug and follow Hayden to the car, setting off on a 2.5-hour drive to the city. Along the way, Vanessa asks, "Aren't we going to different universities? "Hayden clarifies, "Actually, all the universities are connected under one system, with different campuses for various courses. Your universities will be just a short walk from each other – about 5 minutes or so."

As we explore our new surroundings and learn about the fee structure, we take a tour of the university. Three hours fly by quickly. Daniel and I are on the same campus, while Alex and Brandon are on another campus together. Vanessa is on a separate campus, and Aria is on yet another. We all meet up at the common cafeteria, which serves students from across the entire university.

We're now at our new apartment, just 25 minutes away from the university. We have a spacious living room, 6 bedrooms - each with its own attached bathroom - a moderate kitchen, and a dining room. We also have 4 study rooms, divided by our courses. Although it's a big house for just the 6 of us, we find it pleasant and comfortable.

We're hitting the road again, headed to the party. I'm hesitant to go, having already traveled so much in one day, and knowing I'll have to make the return journey again tomorrow. But since the party is already planned, I decide to make the most of it and take a refreshing 2.5-hour nap during the drive. As we arrive, I'm amazed to see our garden transformed with vibrant decorations. We're heading to our old rooms to get ready to rock the party .

After the party ----

   As I drag myself into my room, exhaustion hits me like a ton of bricks. I pat down my pockets, only to realize my phone is nowhere to be found. A quick scan of my room finds nothing. Just as I'm starting to panic, I hear Mrs. Heather's voice calling out to me. "Iris, dear, could you come downstairs for a minute?"

I make my way downstairs, curiosity getting the better of me. That's when I see Mrs. Heather and Hayden giggling at my phone.

"Ah, Iris, we found something interesting on your phone," Mrs. Heather says, her eyes sparkling with teasing.

My heart skips a beat as I rush over to them. "What are you doing with my phone?"

Hayden holds up my phone, showing me a conversation with someone named "Asher."  I try to grab my phone back, but Mrs. Heather playfully holds it out of reach.

"Who's Asher?" Hayden asks, his voice full of interest.

I take a deep breath, trying to explain. "He's just a friend I met online. We bonded over a game we both love."

Mrs. Heather's expression turns serious, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Online, huh? That's a pretty big secret to keep from us, Iris."

I feel a tug of guilt, knowing I should have been more open with them. "I didn't mean to hide it, I just...I don't know, it didn't seem like a big deal."

"How long has this been going on?" Mrs. Heather asks, her voice shaded with concern.

I hesitate, my voice barely above a whisper. "Three years."

Hayden's eyes widen in surprise. "Three years? Have you ever met him in person, even once?"

I shake my head, still speaking softly. "No."

Mrs. Heather's expression turns serious. "Do you even know where he lives?"

"He lives in..." I say, after a while as memories of our online conversations flood my mind. "It's where your university is." Hayden's eyes widen.

Mrs.Heather looks at me strictly "Iris, I want you to meet Asher in person."

I feel a rise of tension . "But Mrs. Heather, I don't know if that's a good idea..."

Mrs. Heather's voice is firm. "Iris, I need you to do this. I want you to know more about Asher and his intentions."

Hayden protests, "But love, that's not safe! What if he's ..."

Mrs. Heather holds up her hand interrupting Hayden . "I've made up my mind, Hayden. Iris, you're to meet Asher. "I nod.

    I head back to my room, our conversation replaying in my mind. Mrs. Heather's words echo in my thoughts - he lives in the city where I'll be studying. Why didn't I make the connection earlier? I lie down on my bed, thinking, "I should message him." But exhaustion from the journey catches up with me, and I drift off to sleep.

When I wake up, I'm shocked to see the time. "Oh no, I'm late!" I rush to freshen up and hurry downstairs, where I'm met with disapproving faces. I quickly apologize, and we head to the car. As Hayden loads our bags, Mrs. Heather pulls me aside for a hug. "Remember what I said yesterday," she whispers in my ear. I nod, and we share a brief moment.

As we say our goodbyes, we all hug Mrs.Heather before piling into the car. Hayden drops us off, and I can barely contain my excitement for this new chapter in my life to begin.


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