Forbidden Pages

Chapter 13: Hidden Struggles

Returning to campus after their perfect weekend together felt like an abrupt descent back into reality. The cabin had been a sanctuary, a place where time seemed to pause and they could just be. But here, back on the bustling campus, their escape felt more like a distant dream, a memory already beginning to blur at the edges.

Monday morning brought a flurry of activity as Emma went through her classes, studying in the library, and meeting up with her friends. But no matter how hard she tried to focus, her mind kept drifting back to Ryland—the warmth of his touch, the softness of his gaze. She had grown so used to their quiet intimacy, the late-night conversations and gentle laughter, that it felt surreal to keep their relationship hidden again.

By the time she reached Ryland's class that afternoon, she was already missing him. She slipped into her usual seat, her heart racing as she waited for him to begin the lecture. When he finally entered the room, looking calm and composed as always, she couldn't help but feel a pang of frustration. The distance between them felt almost unbearable now, a constant reminder of everything they were keeping under wraps.

As Ryland began the lecture, he glanced at her briefly, his gaze softening just for a moment. The look he gave her was subtle, a fleeting connection that no one else would notice, but it was enough to make her heart race. She wanted to talk to him, to share a real conversation, but she knew she'd have to wait—wait for the secrecy to pass, wait for their next stolen moment.

The class dragged on, every word seeming to stretch as she fought the urge to reach out to him, to say something, anything, to break the silence between them. When the lecture finally ended, she lingered, watching as he wrapped up his notes and answered a few questions from students. But as the last student left, a familiar voice broke her concentration.

"Emma!" Sarah, her roommate, waved her over, looking bright-eyed and full of energy. "Want to grab a coffee?"

Emma hesitated, glancing at Ryland as he packed up. She felt a rush of disappointment but forced herself to smile, knowing that she couldn't ignore her friends just because of her secret. "Sure. I'll catch up with you in a sec."

Sarah grinned, giving her a quick hug. "Great! I'll be outside."

As Sarah left, Emma turned back to Ryland, her heart heavy. He looked up, meeting her gaze with an understanding smile.

"It's hard, isn't it?" he said softly, his voice barely above a whisper.

Emma nodded, feeling a lump form in her throat. "Harder than I thought it would be."

He stepped closer, his hand brushing against hers in a brief, hidden touch. "We'll find time, Emma. I promise. It won't always be this way."

His words gave her some comfort, but she knew it would be easier said than done. They both had responsibilities, obligations, and no matter how much she wanted to be with him, she couldn't simply ignore everything else.

"I know," she replied, her voice barely steady. "It's just... hard to go back to pretending."

Ryland's gaze softened, and he gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. "I'll find a way for us to spend time together. But for now..." He trailed off, his expression full of unspoken promises.

With a final, lingering glance, Emma forced herself to leave, joining Sarah outside. As they walked across campus, her thoughts remained on Ryland, the weight of their separation pressing down on her with each step.

That Evening

Emma spent the evening studying in the library, her textbooks spread out in front of her as she tried to focus on her assignments. But every so often, her gaze drifted, her mind wandering back to Ryland and the brief moments they'd shared that afternoon. It felt like she was living in two worlds—the one everyone else saw, and the secret one she shared with him.

Around midnight, her phone buzzed with a message. She glanced down, her heart racing when she saw Ryland's name on the screen.

"Library, third floor. Ten minutes?"

Emma's heart leaped. She packed up her things quickly, trying to keep her excitement in check as she made her way to the third floor. The library was quiet, nearly empty at this late hour, and the soft glow of the lights made the atmosphere feel almost surreal. When she reached the back corner, Ryland was already there, leaning against a bookshelf with a small smile.

"Couldn't sleep either?" he asked, his voice low.

She shook her head, stepping closer. "Not really. Too much on my mind."

Ryland reached out, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "I know the feeling."

They stood in silence for a moment, the quiet between them filled with an unspoken understanding. Emma felt the tension melt away, replaced by the familiar warmth of his presence, a sense of peace that only he seemed to bring.

"I hate that we have to do this," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "That we have to sneak around just to be together."

Ryland sighed, his hand resting on her shoulder. "So do I. But I don't want to lose this... lose us. Not for anything."

Emma nodded, feeling her resolve strengthen. She knew that the secrecy was difficult, that the challenges were only going to grow. But standing here with him, she felt certain that it was worth it, that they would find a way to make it work.

They shared a quiet kiss, a soft, lingering touch that held all the emotions they couldn't express in words. As they pulled away, Ryland's gaze lingered on hers, a mixture of affection and determination in his eyes.

"I'll find a way for us to spend more time together," he murmured. "Somewhere we don't have to hide."

Emma smiled, feeling a surge of hope. "I'd like that."

They shared a few more stolen moments, each of them clinging to the connection that felt as precious as it was fragile. But as the clock ticked toward closing time, they reluctantly parted, each returning to their own world, bound together by a quiet promise.

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Emma is beginning to feel the weight of her choices. Can love truly conquer all?