Forbidden Pages

Chapter 20: Aftermath

Emma walked through campus feeling as if the world had shifted beneath her. She moved on autopilot, drifting from class to class, studying in the library, attending group projects and lectures, but all of it felt muted, as if she was watching her own life from a distance. Her mind was filled with fragments of memories-Ryland's laughter, the warmth of his hand over hers, the quiet confidence in his gaze. Everything reminded her of him, even as she tried to push him from her mind.

She knew that ending things had been the right choice. They'd both agreed that it was necessary, that the secrecy, the risk, had become too much. But the logic of it didn't make it any easier. Their love had come with challenges, yes, but it had also brought her a sense of belonging, a feeling that, for the first time, she was with someone who understood her completely.

One evening, as she walked through the crowded quad, she caught sight of Sarah waving at her. Emma forced a smile, her heart heavy as she joined her friend, trying to ignore the ache that had become her constant companion.

"Emma, hey!" Sarah greeted her, her face bright with excitement. "We're going out tonight-me, Liz, a few others from class. You're coming, right?"

Emma hesitated. Going out was the last thing she wanted to do. But as she looked at Sarah, saw the concern in her friend's gaze, she realized that staying holed up in her room, hiding from the world, wouldn't help her heal.

"Yeah," she replied, nodding. "I'll come."

Sarah beamed, linking her arm through Emma's as they walked across campus. "Good! It's been forever since you went out with us. It'll be just like old times."

Emma managed a small smile, hoping that a night out with friends might be enough to distract her from the emptiness she felt. She missed the person she'd been before everything with Ryland had started, the girl who'd laughed easily, who'd been content with her friends and her studies. She wanted to find that version of herself again, even if it meant letting go of the person she'd become with him.

That Night

The campus bar was alive with music and laughter as Emma and her friends found a booth near the back. Sarah, Liz, and a few other classmates were already talking and laughing, their energy infectious. Emma found herself smiling, joining in the conversation as they ordered drinks and reminisced about their favorite memories from the past year.

For a moment, she almost felt normal. The laughter, the chatter, the ease of being surrounded by friends-it was a welcome distraction from the ache in her heart.

"Emma, you look so serious!" Sarah teased, nudging her playfully. "Come on, lighten up! You're finally out with us again. Let's celebrate."

Emma laughed, feeling a flicker of genuine happiness. "You're right. I guess I've just had a lot on my mind."

Liz raised her glass, grinning. "Then let's toast to less stress and more fun. We deserve it!"

They clinked their glasses together, and for the first time in days, Emma felt a sense of warmth that wasn't tainted by sorrow. She sipped her drink, allowing herself to be swept up in the moment, grateful for the distraction her friends provided.

But as the night wore on, the familiar ache began to creep back in. The sounds and laughter around her started to blur, and she found herself staring at the lights, the colors, everything blending together as memories of Ryland rose unbidden in her mind. She excused herself, slipping outside to the quiet of the courtyard.

The cold night air was a shock against her skin, but she welcomed it, taking a deep breath as she tried to steady herself. The world felt surreal, each passing moment a reminder of the life she'd once shared with him, a life that now felt impossibly far away.