Hearts Across Halls

Chapter 24

The coffee shop was cozy, dimly lit with fairy lights strung along the ceiling and wooden tables huddled close together. As Elara walked in, she spotted Sophie instantly—curly hair pulled back, bright eyes scanning the menu like it was the most important decision of her life. Sophie's face lit up as she saw Elara approaching.

"Elara!" She waved her over, and they hugged tightly. "I swear you look different every time I see you. How's uni treating you?"

"Uni's... well, it's been something," Elara said, grinning, though she knew she had plenty to unpack. They ordered their coffees and settled into a corner booth, the café's background hum filling the comfortable silence as they stirred their drinks.

"So, spill it," Sophie demanded, leaning forward with a smirk. "You've been busy! Tell me all the drama with the roommates, the parties... oh, and that guy Luca!"

Elara laughed, stirring her coffee absentmindedly. "Where do I even start?" She took a deep breath and launched into it, recounting all the highs, lows, and awkward in-betweens. "So, we've all had our clashes, but... Luca and I... Well, we're finally... kind of seeing each other? There used to be so much hot-and-cold drama, but not anymore—at least not for now."

Sophie's eyebrows shot up. "You and Luca? Oh, I knew it! Honestly, he sounded into you since you told me about him. So, no more games?"

Elara nodded, trying to sound nonchalant. "It's weird, right? I didn't see it happening either. But, yeah, we had this evening alone—totally random—and it just happened. He's finally been more... present. It's a relief but also feels like... something big."

Sophie smirked. "And here I was, thinking you'd be too shy to even talk to him, let alone get him to commit. Look at you, practically a player now." She laughed, nudging Elara.

Elara rolled her eyes, laughing too. "Don't give me too much credit. The confidence is mostly faked. And it's just been so intense with everyone lately. I mean, Charlie was a whole other thing, and then there was that random guy James...."

"James?" Sophie's eyes widened. "Oh my god, Elara, where have you been hiding all these guys?"

Elara burst out laughing. "Honestly, I don't know! He was just this random guy I met out. It felt good to just... be different, even for a night. It wasn't some grand romance or anything, but I think I just needed to let loose after everything with Charlie."

Sophie gave her a knowing look. "Sounds like you've grown a lot, honestly. I mean, not that you were shy before, but you were always the one who was, you know, careful with things. How's it feel?"

Elara thought about it for a second. "It feels... freeing? But also kind of strange, like I'm looking at someone else's life. I think I wanted to fit in so much at first, and then I got wrapped up in all these... situations." She smiled. "But I think I'm finally starting to feel like I know myself better."

Sophie nodded, sipping her coffee thoughtfully. "Honestly, I get it. I think you have to go through these things to figure out what you want, or don't want. Life's messy, right?" She paused, her face lighting up. "Speaking of messy—so I met someone too! He's friends with one of the girls in my dorm, and it's starting to feel... serious?"

Elara leaned forward, intrigued. "What? Sophie! You didn't even tell me! Details, now."

Sophie grinned, brushing a stray curl back. "His name's Alex. He's sweet, a bit on the shy side, but we've been hanging out a lot. He's like... quiet, but in a way that makes you want to listen. Not that I'm gushing or anything." She laughed, her cheeks slightly pink.

Elara laughed, delighted. "Oh, you're so gushing. I love this for you! Finally, someone who gets Sophie all wrapped up."

They spent the next hour trading stories, small gossip, and encouraging each other, their laughter blending with the ambient chatter around them.

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Elara sat in the darkened kitchen, phone in hand as she scrolled through the texts from Emmy, Rachel, and the rest of her dorm mates. She felt an odd sense of comfort sitting in silence and shadow; it felt easier to think without the brightness revealing too much. Her screen lit up with another notification from their group chat, a silly picture of Leo making a face. She chuckled softly, her smile widening as she responded to their messages. Somehow, this connection, these small jokes and familiar teasing, felt more like home than the house she sat in now.

Headlights swept across the window, and the crunch of gravel in the driveway signalled her parents' return. The front door creaked open, and soon, her mum and dad appeared in the doorway, their faces curious as they spotted her sitting alone in the dark.

"Elara, why on earth are you sitting here like this?" her mum asked, flicking on the light. She shielded her eyes momentarily, adjusting to the brightness.

"Oh, just... thinking, I guess," Elara said, offering a small smile. It felt odd to be back, like she was a guest in her own home.

Her dad gave her a nod as he set down the tool bags, a bit of a distant greeting. They made small talk for a while, her parents asking how classes were going, though quickly the conversation drifted to her sister's decorating plans. Her mum went on about colour swatches and the new curtains, and Elara watched, feeling strangely removed as her dad seemed more interested in finding an excuse to escape to the TV.

"Well, sounds like a nice plan," Elara replied with a faint smile. "But I think I'll head to bed. Long day of travel and all that."

"Of course, love," her mum said, patting her arm. "Rest up."

Back in her room, she shut the door, took a breath, and felt the familiarity and solitude wash over her. She picked up her phone to find a text from Luca: What're you up to?

They exchanged a few texts before he suggested a video call, and she accepted immediately, heart fluttering a bit as his face appeared on the screen.

"Hey!" Luca greeted, his grin instantly easing some of her lingering tension.

"Hey," she said, smiling. "How's your day been?"

"Oh, you know, same old stuff," he said, his tone light, though his details were vague. He mentioned seeing a few friends but didn't elaborate, quickly steering the conversation back to her.

They went back and forth, Elara updating him on the train ride and her quiet night at home. She sensed a slight distance in his replies, something elusive about the way he brushed over his own day, though it didn't set off any alarms. Instead, she let herself enjoy the feeling of their connection, savouring the way he listened to her every word, laughing at her recounting Sophie's stories.

After a while, they said goodnight, and Elara lay back in bed, looking at the ceiling, phone still in her hand. Despite the unsettling disconnect with her family, her conversation with Luca left her feeling strangely settled, a small glimmer of comfort she let herself hold onto.