My Last And My Only

Chapter 117: Just Us

Fine Arts Week continued for the rest of the week.

The campus remained as lively as ever, but by Friday afternoon, the biggest rush was finally over.

Aiah let out a long sigh as she walked out of the Fine Arts Building.

"I'm free..."

She looked up at the sky.

"...I think."

Behind her, one of her classmates laughed.

"You've said that three times already."

"I'm making sure it's real."

"You survived."

"Barely."

The two exchanged goodbyes before Aiah reached for her phone.

One unread message.

Khae
Outside.

Aiah smiled before she even looked up.

She already knew where Khae would be.

Sure enough...

Beneath the familiar acacia tree stood Khae.

One hand tucked into the pocket of her jacket.

The afternoon breeze caught a few strands of hair that had fallen across her forehead.

Without thinking, Khae brushed them back with her fingers, pushing them away from her eyes in one smooth motion.

Aiah had to stop walking.

There it was again.

The hair thing.

She remembered Christine once dramatically clutching her chest.

"One day she's going to do that in slow motion and half the campus will fail their exams."

Yves had rolled her eyes.

"...You're exaggerating."

"Am I?"

Even Lindtsey had quietly muttered while editing photos,

"It's unfair."

The funniest part?

Khae never seemed to realize she was doing it.

She simply brushed her hair back whenever it got in the way.

Completely unaware that people noticed.

Aiah smiled to herself.

Well...

Everyone else can admire her from afar.

I get to walk up to her.

That thought alone made her heart feel impossibly light.

When Khae finally noticed her, her expression softened into that smile Aiah knew so well.

Not polite.

Not reserved.

Just...

Warm.

It was a smile that only ever seemed to appear when their eyes met.

Aiah couldn't help smiling back.

"Tired?"

Khae asked as Aiah reached her.

"A little."