Lines We Cross

Chapter 35

The morning air was crisp, tinged with the early January chill as Elizabeth hurried across campus. The first day of the new semester always came with a certain energy—students returning, fresh notebooks in hand, their excitement palpable. But Elizabeth's usual enthusiasm for this time of year was overshadowed by a knot of dread in her stomach.

Today was different. Today, she had a meeting with the dean and the university president—both friends of Alexander Sterling. Her pulse quickened as she reached the administration building, her fingers gripping the strap of her bag a little tighter than usual. She forced herself to take a steadying breath, reminding herself to stay calm.

The last few days have been... off with YN. Elizabeth had offered to come over several times, hoping to check in, to help YN get settled back home, but each time, YN had politely declined, saying she needed rest, that she'd call soon. It had worried her, but she tried not to push. She knew YN was dealing with a lot, and maybe her need for space was just her way of coping with the whole situation.

As she approached the dean's office, she steadied herself, ready for whatever might come. But as she arrived at the door, her phone buzzed with an email notification: Meeting Canceled. Her eyes widened in surprise, glancing down at her phone before knocking anyway.

The dean's assistant opened the door, raising an eyebrow. "Oh, Professor Olsen, didn't you get the email?"

"Yes," Elizabeth replied, slightly flustered. "But, I... I wasn't sure if—"

The assistant smiled politely. "It's rescheduled for now. The dean's caught up in another matter. You'll be notified if it's to be rebooked."

Elizabeth thanked her, her mind swirling with confusion as she turned and walked back down the corridor. What's going on? She'd prepared herself for this, her nerves wound tight, yet now there was nothing. As if... as if nothing was wrong, as if the rumors weren't circling, as if the dean and president were oblivious.

Her phone buzzed again—this time, a reminder notification for her first class that afternoon. The usual jolt of anticipation that accompanied a fresh semester was absent. Still, Elizabeth took a deep breath, reminding herself she had a job to do. The rest would sort itself out. It had to.

———

The afternoon sun poured into the lecture hall as students filtered in, the familiar chatter filling the room. Elizabeth stood at her podium, preparing her notes, but her eyes scanned the room, her gaze automatically seeking out YN.

She knew YN had enrolled in this class—it was one they'd both been excited about. But as the room filled, her seat remained conspicuously empty. Elizabeth checked the clock, willing herself to stay composed.

Her fingers hovered over her tablet, and she couldn't resist the urge. With a few taps, she pulled up the course roster, scrolling until she found YN's name—only to discover it was grayed out, with a note beside it: Dropped

A pang shot through her. Why would she drop the class? Her heart raced, questions flooding her mind, each one compounding her growing anxiety. She forced herself to steady her breathing, glancing back up at the students waiting expectantly.

The lecture started, her words on autopilot, her mind elsewhere as she went through the motions. When she finally wrapped up, dismissed the students, and gathered her notes, the weight of everything pressed down on her. Her worry had morphed into something heavier, a sinking realization that something had happened.

———

The drive to YN's house felt longer than usual, each second stretching with the weight of unanswered questions. When Elizabeth finally pulled into the driveway, her heart sank at the sight of YN's Porsche parked outside. She's here.