In the heart of Harvard, Alessia Gilmore is ready to embrace her second year and the independence it brings. After a summer spent reconnecting with friends and discovering herself, she's determined to step out of her twin sister Rory's shadow and ca...
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Alessia sat in her film class, tapping her pencil on the notebook in front of her as she half-listened to the lecture on classic cinema. Her mind wandered back to the game from last night, the bruises she'd noticed on Riley's arms, and the intensity still lingering in the air. A sharp nudge from her left snapped her back to the present.
"Earth to Alessia." Faye, her class acquaintance with a penchant for neon nail polish and sarcastic one-liners, was watching her with an amused smile. "You seem lost. Already bored of film studies?"
Alessia rolled her eyes, smirking. "Not bored. Just... distracted."
"Well, I'd be distracted too if I had a life as dramatic as yours," Faye quipped, leaning in. "What's it this time? Roommate drama? Hot hockey player on your mind?"
Before Alessia could respond, the classroom door swung open, and heads turned. Standing there, grinning with that characteristic cocky charm, was Logan Huntzberger—her boyfriend from Yale. Alessia's eyes widened in surprise, while Faye raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued.
"Logan?" Alessia half-whispered, as if hoping he hadn't really shown up in the middle of her class. "What are you doing here?"
Logan strolled in, completely ignoring the stares of her classmates. His gaze fixed on her, unbothered by the professor's pause and raised eyebrow. "Just breaking my girlfriend out of class," he fake-whispered, flashing that mischievous smile that always seemed to get him out of trouble.
Alessia's cheeks flushed as she glanced around, trying to read the room. "Logan, you don't even go here!" she hissed, a mix of exasperation and laughter in her voice.
"Exactly. Makes it more exciting, doesn't it?" Logan shrugged, moving closer. "What do you say? I was thinking a coffee, a pastry, and a stroll through the campus with my girl."
She shot him a look but couldn't quite keep her smile at bay. "You're unbelievable. You know that, right?"
Faye leaned over, barely containing her laughter. "I'd say go for it, Alessia. Class will still be here next week."
Alessia sighed, her initial reluctance melting away. "Fine. Just let me grab my stuff."
She slung her bag over her shoulder, waving off her professor's disapproving look. "Duty calls, I guess."
"Atta girl," Logan said, holding the door open for her with a little bow.
As they stepped out into the hallway, Logan slipped an arm around her waist, his grin as confident as ever. Alessia couldn't help but roll her eyes, but a part of her enjoyed the thrill of his unexpected arrival.
