Lines We Cross

Chapter 5

The sky was still a muted gray when YN's alarm buzzed to life, the sound cutting through the early morning silence. She reached out, silencing it with a swift tap before slipping out from under the covers. The house was quiet, the kind of calm that only existed before the rest of the world had woken up. YN liked it that way. There was something about the stillness of the early hours that made everything feel clearer, simpler, before the demands of the day came rushing in.

She dressed quickly, pulling on a pair of running shorts and a fitted tank top, before lacing up her sneakers. The kitchen was dim as she passed through, grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge and slipping out the front door into the cool morning air. Her breath puffed out in faint clouds as she took her first few strides down the quiet street, her pace steady and measured.

The run always helped. It was a ritual, a way to clear her head and sort through her thoughts before the day could get away from her. As her feet pounded rhythmically against the pavement, the tension from the past few days seemed to unravel, the lingering haze from the party and the restless thoughts that had followed dissipating with each stride. Her pulse quickened, muscles warming as she fell into a familiar rhythm, her mind quieting in the process.

This morning, the run felt especially needed. The party over the weekend had left her feeling strangely unsettled, and she was tired of the lingering restlessness that seemed to shadow her every step. As she pushed herself to pick up the pace, YN focused on the steady thrum of her heartbeat, letting the repetition ground her.

By the time she made her way back to the house, the sun was beginning to rise, casting a pale light over the quiet street. She jogged up the front steps and slipped inside, wiping the sweat from her brow as she made her way to the kitchen. The familiar scent of coffee greeted her—strong and black, just the way she liked it. She poured herself a cup and leaned against the counter, savoring the warmth of the mug in her hands.

Moments later, Maya shuffled into the kitchen, her hair still a tangled mess and her eyes half-closed. She glanced at YN, taking in the sight of her dressed in athletic gear and already halfway through her coffee, and let out a groan. "You're such a CEO cliché," she mumbled, reaching for the coffee pot. "It's like living with someone who moonlights as a Fortune 500 executive."

YN chuckled, taking another sip from her mug. "Just trying to keep the empire running," she replied, a smirk tugging at her lips. "Besides, that's how I was raised—early mornings and high expectations."

Maya rolled her eyes, her voice dripping with mock seriousness. "Sterling standards, I suppose," she said, watching YN crack a couple of eggs into a pan. "I don't know how you do it. I'd have to be at least three cups of coffee in before I'd even consider going for a run."

"You get used to it," YN replied lightly, flipping the eggs with a practiced hand. "And besides, a run does wonders for clearing the head."

Maya raised an eyebrow. "Oh, so that's the secret to shaking off whatever's been bothering you?" She watched YN prepare breakfast. "You've seemed... I don't know, off, since the party."

YN's hand stilled for a fraction of a second before she continued cooking. "Just tired," she said, her tone nonchalant. "I told you, it's not a big deal."

"Uh-huh," Maya replied, her voice laced with skepticism. "Not a big deal, but you've been zoning out more than usual. Even Nina noticed."

YN shrugged, turning her attention back to the eggs. "Maybe I've just been thinking too much," she said, and then, with a hint of a grin, added, "It's hard being this brilliant, you know?"

Maya snorted. "I'm sure. Just try not to overthink your way through the day, alright?"

Breakfast was simple and quick—scrambled eggs, avocado toast, and another cup of black coffee. By the time she was done, YN felt more grounded, the routine of the morning settling her mind. As she gathered her things for class, she could hear Maya still puttering around the kitchen, probably debating whether to actually start her own day or collapse back into bed.

The drive to campus was peaceful, the morning traffic light. YN enjoyed these drives, where she could just let her thoughts wander for a few minutes. But as she was about halfway to Yale, her phone rang through the car's Bluetooth, the screen lighting up with the name "Dad."

She tapped the answer button on the steering wheel. "Morning, Dad."

"Morning, darling," Alexander Sterling's voice came through, smooth and assured as ever. "Just checking in. Haven't heard from you in a few days."

"I've been busy," YN replied, her tone relaxed. "Classes, papers, you know how it is."

"I do," he said, with a hint of amusement. "But you also know the importance of maintaining balance. It's not just about the grades, YN. It's about staying ahead of the game."

"Don't worry," she reassured him, switching lanes. "I'm managing just fine."

"Good," Alexander replied. "Just remember, we've set certain standards, not just for you, but for the Sterling name as a whole. You've always risen to them, and I have no doubt you will continue to."

YN's grip tightened slightly on the wheel, though her voice remained steady. "Of course. I know the drill."

"Excellent. I'll let you get back to it," he said. "Take care, darling."

"You too, Dad." YN ended the call, exhaling slowly. There was always a weight to these conversations, even if they were just casual check-ins. It was never just about her—it was about the expectations, the legacy, the Sterling name that had shaped her entire life.

She shook off the thoughts as she pulled into a parking spot near the lecture hall. There were other things to focus on now. Like the upcoming class with Elizabeth.

She arrived at the lecture hall a few minutes early, slipping into her usual seat near the back. Elizabeth was already there, setting up for the class, her movements quick and efficient as always. YN's gaze drifted to her almost unconsciously, taking in the way she carried herself with that effortless composure.

The room filled quickly, the noise of students settling in creating a low hum. Elizabeth's voice cut through the chatter, drawing everyone's attention as she began the lecture. YN listened, taking notes with a focused intensity, though there were moments when her mind wandered—brief flickers of thoughts that had little to do with political theory.

After the lecture ended, YN lingered again, though this time it was more deliberate than before. As the last students filed out, Elizabeth looked up, her gaze finding YN's with that same sharpness.

"Miss Sterling," she said, her tone formal but not unkind. "I trust you've had some time to think about our last discussion?"

"Of course," YN replied, a hint of a smile tugging at her lips. "Wouldn't want to disappoint."

Elizabeth's expression softened slightly, though her eyes remained unreadable. "Good. I'd like to see you during office hours tomorrow," she said, her voice measured. "Let's make sure you're on track."

YN nodded, feeling a flicker of something she wasn't quite ready to name. "I'll be there," she said, turning to leave as Elizabeth returned to her notes.

___________
1270 words