Him

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I woke up to the sounds of laughter and lively chatter outside my room, a vivid reminder of the bustling campus life that awaited me each day. Glancing at my phone on the bedside table, I realized it was 7 AM. It seemed many students were gearing up for their morning classes, their bright spirits echoing down the hall. A wave of guilt washed over me as I noticed 12 missed calls from Lin and a flurry of messages piling up. I quickly dialed his number, feeling a knot of anxiety coil in my stomach as it rang.

"Hello? Hello, baby, are you okay?" His voice was laced with concern, a note that tugged at my heart.

"I'm here! I'm so sorry. I was so tired after exploring all day. I didn't realize what time it was and fell asleep," I replied, relieved to hear his familiar voice. I could almost picture him, pacing back and forth as he worried about me. A deep sigh of relief escaped him as I finished speaking.

"How is it there?" he asked, his tone softening.

"It's so fun! There are so many nice people, and my roommate is really kind-she's a dancer, so she brings a lot of energy and creativity into the room. The campus is enormous, and I've already discovered a few hidden gems, including this amazing café with the best pastries and coffee!" My excitement bubbled over as I shared my discoveries.

That made him chuckle. "Sounds like you're having a blast. I'm glad to hear it!"

We chatted for a while, soaking in the warmth of each other's voices. As I listened to him recount his own day, I could sense the excitement mingled with a hint of sadness in his tone. Then I glanced at the time again, and reality set in. "Oh no, I'm really sorry, Lin, but I have classes soon. I must have gotten carried away!" I laughed lightly at the realization, feeling both guilty and amused.

"It's okay, I understand. Just don't forget to check in with me, alright? I love you," he said warmly, his voice steady.

"I love you too," I echoed back, but a bittersweet feeling settled in my chest.

"don't say it like that; it sounded like you were just agreeing with me," he teased, causing a smile to spread across my face.

"I love you," I insisted playfully before hanging up, already missing him more than I expected. The thrill of being in this new place was exhilarating yet weighed down by a pang of longing for his presence. I wished he could be here, experiencing all of this with me.

As I placed my phone down, I took a deep breath, trying to absorb the vibrant energy that surrounded me. The laughter and music floated through the air, and a sumptuous aroma wafted in, reminding me of the delightful café I had stumbled upon the day before. Everything felt alive here, and I was keen to dive headfirst into this adventure.

Determined to seize the day, I pushed myself off the bed and began rummaging through my clothes. With a packed schedule ahead, I was eager to tackle this fresh chapter of my life. I slipped into a cozy white cardigan over a pink flowery summer dress, the fabric hugging me like a warm embrace. I wanted my hair to reflect my natural beauty today, so at my vanity, I diffused my curly locks, laughing as they transformed into bouncy rings.

Once I finished, I styled my curls into a half-up, half-down, adding a cream bow that tied the look together perfectly. I put on a few delicate pieces of jewelry, including a necklace featuring my name in Arabic-a cherished gift from Lin on my birthday. It felt like his love wrapped around my neck, keeping me close to him despite the distance, and I added some earrings to polish off my outfit.

Studying my reflection in the mirror, I couldn't help but smile. I felt ready to embrace every moment of the day that lay ahead. Grabbing my backpack, I made sure to pack my laptop, notebooks, and a quick snack, just in case. As I was about to leave, my gaze landed on a small photo of us taped above my desk. In that snapshot, we were both laughing together under the sun during our last trip, caught in a moment that felt timeless and precious. I lightly touched the picture, letting a wave of warmth bloom in my chest.

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