Juliens POV
As I approached the campus, I could see Valerie and her friend Emily walking together, deep in conversation. My heart quickened at the sight of Valerie—her hair catching the sunlight, that smile that used to light up my day. But there was a familiar twinge of anxiety creeping in, too. Today was supposed to be our day to talk, to figure out where we stood. But a part of me couldn't shake the feeling that something had changed between us.
As I got closer, I couldn't help but notice how animated Emily looked. She was talking with her hands, her laughter ringing out like music, and I found myself watching her more than I intended. "Shit, she's kind of cute," I thought, shaking my head at myself. Not that I was looking for anyone else, but there was something infectious about her energy that made it hard to look away.
"Hey, ladies!" I called out, trying to keep my tone casual as I approached them. Valerie turned around, and for a brief second, the tension on her face melted away when she saw me. But it was fleeting—like she was battling a whirlwind of thoughts.
"Hey, Julien!" Valerie replied, but her voice was softer than usual. I couldn't ignore the way her eyes darted toward Emily, almost as if she was seeking reassurance. I felt a pang of annoyance. Was I really that unapproachable?
"This is Emily," Valerie introduced, and I offered her a smile. "We're just talking about our project."
"Nice to meet you, Emily," I said, extending my hand. She took it with a firm grip and returned my smile, and I felt a strange connection.
"Nice to meet you too! So, you're the infamous Julien, huh?" she said with a teasing lilt, and I chuckled. There was something refreshing about her directness that I found appealing.
"Guilty as charged," I replied, trying to sound confident. "So, you're working with Val on the project? What's the topic?"
"Something about environmental impacts or whatever," Emily shrugged, glancing at Valerie for confirmation. I noticed Valerie's cheeks flushing a little, and I couldn't help but wonder if Emily knew more about what was going on between us than she let on.
"Right, sounds riveting," I replied, keeping my tone light. But deep down, I felt a sense of urgency. I needed to talk to Valerie, and the presence of Emily made that complicated.
I could see the chemistry between the two of them, their laughter blending effortlessly, and I felt a flicker of jealousy I hadn't anticipated. "What the fuck? I'm supposed to be the one making her laugh," I thought. I was the one who knew her best, yet here she was, sharing this moment with someone else.
"So, Julien, how's it feel to be engaged?" Emily asked, breaking through my thoughts.
I could see the flicker of curiosity in her eyes, and for a second, I appreciated her boldness. "It's... a lot to handle, honestly," I admitted, glancing at Valerie. "But I care about her, you know? It's just that things are a bit complicated right now."
"Complicated how?" Emily pressed, and I could sense she was genuinely interested.
I opened my mouth to respond, but I noticed Valerie shifting uncomfortably beside me. It was clear that I had just waded into murky waters, and I didn't want to put her on the spot. "Just school stuff," I said quickly. "But I'm sure we'll figure it out."
"Right," Valerie chimed in, her voice slightly strained. "We're just getting through classes and projects. Nothing too serious."
I wanted to scream at the absurdity of it all. "Nothing too serious? That's rich coming from her when the wedding plans loom overhead like a fucking cloud." I caught Emily's gaze flicker between us, clearly sensing the tension.
"Well, I'll leave you two to it then," Emily said, a knowing smile on her face. "Don't forget to save some time for fun, Val. You can't just bury yourself in schoolwork all the time!"
As she turned to walk away, I caught a glimpse of her playful nature, and for a second, I felt a mix of admiration and frustration. "Why the fuck is she so easy to talk to? Why does it feel like she's the one having fun with my fiancée?"
When Emily disappeared into the crowd, I turned my full attention back to Valerie, who looked more distant than ever. "Can we talk?" I asked, desperation creeping into my voice.
"Uh, yeah, sure," she said hesitantly, and I could see the conflict playing out in her eyes. It was time for us to clear the air, but I couldn't shake the feeling that the dynamic had shifted between us. The weight of uncertainty hung heavily in the air as we started walking, and I prayed we could find a way back to what we once had before it all slipped away.
