My Last And My Only

Chapter 74: Professional Distance

The Student Council conference room was never meant to hold that many people.

Plastic chairs had been squeezed into every available corner, folders covered the long tables, and the low hum of overlapping conversations filled the room long before the orientation officially began. Representatives from different colleges greeted familiar faces, compared schedules, and complained about professors who somehow managed to assign major requirements at the exact same time.

Aiah slipped inside a few minutes early, hoping to avoid the crowd.

She preferred arriving before everyone else. It gave her a chance to settle her thoughts before having to interact with people, even if they were classmates or fellow committee members.

She chose a seat near the window, placing her portfolio tube against the leg of the chair before opening the folder Professor Lauren had handed her that morning.

University Fair Documentation Committee.

She smiled to herself.

It wasn't exactly what she had planned for her final semester, but a small part of her was excited. This was the kind of work she genuinely enjoyed—capturing moments, telling stories through photographs, preserving memories people often forgot to notice while they were happening.

Maybe it would be a welcome distraction.

The door opened again.
Without thinking, she looked up.
Her heartbeat faltered.

Mikhaela Janna Lim stood at the entrance, a black folder tucked beneath one arm as she quietly scanned the room.

For the briefest moment, their eyes met.
Neither of them expected the other to be there.

Khae recovered first.
She gave a polite nod before looking away, choosing an empty seat across the aisle instead of the one beside Aiah.

The distance wasn't accidental.
It was respectful.
And somehow...
Aiah appreciated that more than she expected.

The meeting started ten minutes later.

Nica stood confidently beside the projector, effortlessly switching from one presentation slide to the next. Wearing her Student Council polo, she looked completely different from the playful friend who usually spent lunch breaks teasing everyone at Mezzo.

"Good afternoon, everyone," she began. "Thank you for volunteering your time for this year's university fair. We know everyone's already drowning in requirements, so... thank you for agreeing to drown a little more with us."

Laughter rippled through the room.

Even Aiah smiled.

Nica continued discussing schedules, committee responsibilities, and deadlines before introducing the faculty adviser assigned to oversee the event.

After nearly thirty minutes, the adviser adjusted his glasses and looked down at the printed list in his hands.

"Some committees will be working closely together."

The room quieted.

"Documentation and Publicity will coordinate throughout the preparation period and during the actual event."

He looked around the room.

"For Multimedia Arts..."

His eyes found Aiah.

"Miss Arceta."

She straightened slightly.

"Yes, sir."