My Last And My Only

Chapter 136: Summer Plans

The student council office was unusually quiet.

Not silent.

Just... different.

The usual rush of students between classes had been replaced by scattered footsteps echoing through the hallway, each one softened by the summer heat lingering beyond the windows. A few classrooms were occupied by students taking summer classes, while faculty members moved from one office to another with folders tucked under their arms, the faint rustle of paper and the low hum of ceiling fans drifting through the building.

Khae stood beside the bulletin board, carefully pinning a printed schedule for the upcoming student activities. The board gave a soft tap each time the pushpin went in, and the paper edges fluttered slightly in the cool air from the office's old air conditioner.

"Excuse me, Ate Khae?"

She turned to find two freshmen standing hesitantly by the doorway.

"Yes?"

"We're looking for the registrar's extension office."

Khae smiled and walked over.

"It's downstairs. Turn left after the stairs, then you'll see a blue sign."

"Oh! Thank you so much."

"No problem."

The two students bowed slightly before hurrying away, their footsteps fading into the corridor.

Just as Khae returned to her desk, her phone vibrated against the wood.

Christine
Group Video Call

Khae smiled to herself.

"They're awake."

Before she could answer, another student approached her with a clearance form, the thin sheet already warm from being passed around.

"Sorry, Ate Khae..."

She chuckled softly.

"It's okay."

She set her phone down beside a stack of folders.

"Let's finish yours first."

Across town...

Christine had already attempted the group call three times.

Nobody answered.

She dramatically dropped onto her bed, the mattress bouncing under her weight as sunlight spilled across the blanket in bright rectangles.

"They're ignoring me."

Yves' voice came through the speaker.

"We've been waiting for forty seconds."

"It felt longer."

"It didn't."

Christine huffed, staring at the ceiling fan turning lazily above her.

"I have important business."

"You've never started a sentence like that and ended with something important."

"I have feelings, Yves."

"So do deadlines."

Before Christine could protest, another square appeared.

Nica.

She adjusted her glasses, the screen reflecting a pale wash of morning light from her window.

"Good morning."