Hearts Across Halls

Chapter 26

As the weeks slipped by, the university grounds transformed under the arrival of late autumn. The campus was now filled with crisp, cool air, and fallen leaves that scattered across the paths, crunching beneath everyone's feet. Elara found herself adjusting to the routines and quirks of university life, though her days were far from monotonous. Time blurred into a whirlwind of activities: endless hours of studying, animated group discussions, late-night hangouts, and morning classes that required multiple alarms. Each day seemed to hold something new, and with Halloween fast approaching, excitement had spread through the halls of her dorm like wildfire.

The entire dorm was abuzz with plans for a big Halloween night out, and the anticipation kept them all going during their long days of classes and study sessions. Despite their excitement, they hadn't exactly been bursting with creative costume ideas. After tossing around a few vague themes, they settled on something simple: they would go as various occupations, each with a twist of fake bullet wounds for a touch of horror. Nurses, teachers, and mechanics, all spattered with "blood," prepared to haunt the student union bars. It may not have been the most imaginative idea, but the group's energy turned it into one of the best nights they'd had yet. They moved from pub to pub, laughing, dancing, and showing off their costumes, sharing drinks and memories that would weave their way into their friendship's fabric.

And it wasn't just Halloween that kept things lively. Her circle of friends had settled into their own comforting routines: group study sessions in the common area, late-night snack runs, and casual hangouts that had quickly become tradition. They gathered around a table piled high with books and half-eaten snacks, working through assignments and laughing over each other's misinterpretations of coursework. In the midst of these chaotic study sessions, Luca started making more frequent appearances. He wasn't just there for her anymore; he had found a way to fit in with her friends as well, his laid-back humour and subtle charm easing him into their group dynamics. Sometimes he joined in on their study sessions, bringing an easygoing vibe that somehow balanced out the stress of looming deadlines and exams.

But beneath all the lighthearted moments, Elara was determined to keep up with her studies. The coursework had been building up, and with each new test or assignment, she spent hours in the library, reviewing notes and pushing herself to stay focused. Yet as the days grew colder and the nights stretched longer, she found herself feeling more at home with her friends than she had anticipated. She hadn't expected to bond so closely with her dorm mates, and even less with Luca, but it had all become a steady, supportive rhythm—one she genuinely cherished. And while there were moments of solitude, of intense study sessions and silent nights in the library, her friendships were quickly becoming the lifeline that carried her through each day.

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Elara sat in her physics lecture, feeling remarkably in sync with the material. For the first time in a while, she felt like she was truly understanding everything. She'd worked hard, preparing for the last exam, and it seemed to be paying off. Her confidence soared as she scribbled notes, feeling a renewed sense of purpose with every concept that clicked into place. The teaching assistant began handing back the graded exams, moving through the rows as students waited, some anxiously and others with an air of indifference.

Elara sat on the edge of her seat, anticipation bubbling in her chest. She was sure she'd done well. She'd put in the hours, studied hard, and this was the kind of validation she'd been hoping for. As the teaching assistant continued down her row, she watched other students' reactions, ranging from satisfied smiles to relieved sighs. But when the teaching assistant reached the end of the line, Elara's excitement shifted to confusion. Her test paper was nowhere to be found.

She looked around, frowning, wondering if there'd been some kind of mistake. As the class wrapped up, her peers began filing out, chattering away about their grades and results. Then, her professor's voice called over the noise.

"Elara, Cyrus—could you stay behind for a moment?"

Startled, Elara turned, only to see Cyrus looking equally perplexed as he approached the front of the room. Together, they moved to the professor's desk, sharing a mutual sense of confusion. The professor, her expression unusually stern, waited until the last student left before folding her hands over their papers and clearing her throat.

"Both of you scored well," she began, her voice heavy with concern, "but there's an issue. Your answers were written with a strikingly similar approach—down to identical variables and a mirrored structure in your solutions. There's reason to believe one of you, or perhaps both, might have cheated."

Elara's heart sank, the pride she'd felt only minutes ago crumbling into shock. She glanced at Cyrus, who looked equally stunned, his mouth slightly agape as he processed the accusation.

"What?" Cyrus burst out, anger lacing his voice. "I didn't cheat! I put everything I had into studying for that test. This is ridiculous."

"I didn't cheat either," Elara added firmly, though her voice was more subdued. Anger and disbelief churned in her stomach, but she kept her tone as calm as she could manage.

Cyrus whipped around, glaring at her with eyes that burned. "Have you?" he sneered, the anger in his expression sharper now. "You've been messing around with everyone and anyone, barely putting in any real effort. You think I haven't noticed? I left my notes in the kitchen more than once, and maybe you took them and copied my work."

The accusation landed like a slap, and Elara's hands clenched at her sides. She forced herself to keep her voice steady. "I didn't take your notes, Cyrus. I studied just as hard as you did. Just because you don't see me studying every second doesn't mean I don't care about my grades."

Cyrus scoffed, crossing his arms. "You're not serious about this. I am. I actually care about my education. I didn't sign up for this to mess around."

A twinge of hurt mingled with her anger, but she stood her ground, determined not to let his words get to her. "And you think I don't?" She glanced at the professor, feeling her voice waver slightly. "This isn't fair. I worked hard for this grade, and I know I didn't cheat."

The professor raised her hand, cutting off the brewing argument. "Enough. I've already informed the university's academic integrity committee. They will investigate the matter further, and if we can prove that either of you cheated, there will be consequences. You'll both receive an email soon detailing the next steps."

Cyrus muttered something under his breath, his expression a storm of frustration and resentment, before turning on his heel and storming out of the classroom. Elara remained, still reeling from the conversation, her heart heavy with a mixture of disbelief and indignation. The room felt unbearably silent in his absence, the weight of the accusation settling like a stone in her stomach.

After a moment, she forced herself to leave, stepping out into the hallway as the next class began to file in. She wandered aimlessly through the bustling corridors, her mind clouded with thoughts of the conversation, Cyrus's anger, and her own sense of injustice. She had worked hard, committed herself to studying, and for the first time in weeks, she'd felt good about her progress. The accusation threatened to rip away that sense of accomplishment, replacing it with anxiety and the looming possibility of failure.

Her mind raced with "what-ifs," the fear of being wrongfully accused sinking its claws deeper with every step she took.