The second day of classes didn't feel as heavy as the first.
At least, that's what Aiah kept telling herself while fixing her things inside her locker. She had expected to wake up with the same nervous feeling she carried yesterday, but surprisingly, it wasn't there anymore. The fear hadn't disappeared completely. It had simply become... quieter.
Maybe her heart was finally beginning to understand that life wouldn't stop just because hers had fallen apart.
She closed her locker and adjusted the strap of her bag before checking the time on her phone.
8:37 AM.
Her first class wouldn't start until nine. She smiled to herself.
Looks like I actually made it early today.
Without thinking much about it, her feet carried her toward the gazebo. It had always been one of her favorite places inside the university. Whenever she had long breaks between classes, she'd often sit there with her sketchbook while waiting for Gwen or the others.
The thought made her pause.
The others.
Would they still be there?
She looked toward the gazebo from a distance.
It was occupied.
Several students were already sitting around, laughing over breakfast and finishing last-minute assignments. She couldn't make out their faces from where she stood, but something inside her immediately told her to turn around.
Not because she saw Khae.
Because there was a chance she would.
She let out a slow breath.
Not today.
She quietly changed direction and headed toward the library instead.
Maybe another time.
Khae arrived at the university almost twenty minutes earlier than usual.
Even she found it strange.
She had never been the type to arrive early unless there was an exam or an important presentation. But today, she simply couldn't stay at home any longer. The silence inside her room had become unbearable.
She parked her car before making her way toward the gazebo, a paper cup of coffee warming her hands.
Out of habit, she chose the bench closest to the edge.
The same spot she always took whenever all eight of them gathered.
She looked around.
Students came and went.
Some greeted her.
Others simply smiled in passing.
She greeted them politely before lowering her eyes to the cup she was holding.
It had only been a few days.
Yet somehow...
Everything felt different.
The laughter around the gazebo sounded the same.
The weather was the same.
Even the smell of coffee drifting from the nearby café was familiar.
The only difference...
Was that the seat beside her remained empty.
Khae smiled bitterly.
YOU ARE READING
My Last And My Only
FanfictionIf it's not you, it's not anyone, Aiah. Remember that.
