Absolution | +18

Chapter 9

Val

The crisp morning air fills my lungs as Maddie and I walk to our classes. The sidewalks are bustling with students, each of us wrapped in our own world, a stream of conversations and hurried footsteps weaving through the city. Despite the noise, my mind is elsewhere, preoccupied with thoughts of yesterday's encounter with Silas.

I replay the scene in my head—the way he'd looked at me with that mix of anger and something else I couldn't quite place. The coffee spilled on my new book, the cold, dismissive way he had brushed past me... It's all there, replaying like a stubborn loop in my thoughts. I can't seem to shake the unease it left behind.

Maddie's voice breaks through my reverie, her words light and casual. "So, did you end up liking that new book you bought?" She glances at me, her eyes twinkling with curiosity.

I pull myself back to the present, giving her a distracted smile. "Oh, yeah. I think it'll be really good. I just haven't had a chance to dive into it yet."

Maddie raises an eyebrow, her expression shifting from curiosity to teasing. "You're always so caught up in your books. I swear, sometimes I think you'd prefer the company of fictional characters to real people."

I chuckle, shaking my head. "You're not wrong. It's just easier to get lost in a story sometimes."

We continue walking, the chatter around us blending into a background hum. Maddie is talking about an upcoming ballet performance, her enthusiasm palpable. I nod along, not fully absorbed but content to listen.

As we approach the intersection, Lucas appears, jogging up to catch us. His face lights up with a warm smile when he sees us. "Hey, you two. Mind if I walk with you for a bit? I'm headed to the same building for my art class."

"Sure thing," Maddie says, giving him a friendly nudge. "We could use the company."

Lucas falls into step beside us, his presence a calming contrast to the bustling city around us. We chat about our classes, the upcoming weekend plans, and the latest news from campus. It's easy conversation, the kind that makes the walk seem shorter and the day brighter.

When we reach the corner where our paths diverge, we all stop. "Guess this is where we part ways," Maddie says with a grin, giving Lucas a playful wave.

"Good luck with your classes," Lucas says, his gaze lingering on Maddie with a soft smile before turning to me. "See you later, Val."

"See you," I reply, waving as they head off in their respective directions.

With a deep breath, I walk toward my own class. The building looms ahead, a grand structure with high ceilings and wide, echoing hallways. I'm feeling a bit detached, still haunted by yesterday's events.

Inside the classroom, students are milling about, setting up their materials and chatting among themselves. I find my seat and take out my notebook, trying to shake off the lingering thoughts about Silas. I remind myself that it's just one person, and there are more important things to focus on.

Our professor walks in, a stern but fair woman who immediately commands attention. She starts explaining the details of our new project, outlining the requirements. The buzz of conversation dies down as she speaks.

"This project will require you to work in pairs," she says, her voice clear and authoritative. "You'll need to collaborate on creating a comprehensive research presentation. I'll be assigning partners shortly, but if you already have someone in mind, feel free to pair up."

The room hums with activity as students start to talk, shifting in their seats and glancing around. I'm not particularly worried about finding a partner—most people are eager to pair up with me because of my reputation for being diligent and responsible. I start flipping through my notes, mentally preparing for the project.