Song of the stars [Slow updates]

Chapter 24: Unexpected feelings

A/N: Not yet edited

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Chapter 24: Unexpected feelings

I looked over the final examination question on my paper and read it like three times. Then, before starting on the answer, which was not yet structured in my mind, I raised my head to breathe more air and relax my eyes. This was supposed to clear my thoughts and allow the running data to settle on a clear answer.

Most of the other students were avidly writing in high speed, and I noticed they had a full stack of papers covered with words. Me, on the other hand, I only had two pages, which was a little more than what lay in front of a few colleagues with a desperate look. This got me a little worried. On one hand, I was positive that what I wrote was all I learned, all that was in the books. But then, if I had the right answers, why was everybody else writing a whole lot more than I?

The teacher speaking up about the remaining time reminded me I had one more question to finish, so I pushed those worries away for later. When I handed over my paper, I was amongst the last people left in the room, so I dared to ask, in a low voice:

"Why is it that someone who writes a lot of pages gets a lower mark than me, when I usually only write two?"

The young teacher, the same one who I met when I had the green hair, smiled and answered: "That's because most of the students don't know how to condense the information. They write a whole novel that's barely tangent to the subject, while you give straight to the point answers." Thinking about how my paper was full of bullets, I realized he was right. Plus, I had a small writing, much smaller than average, and I knew a few guys who purposefully enlarged their writing to make the exam paper look better.

With a lighter heart, I left the room and emerged into the university's main hall at the same time Chris exited the library.

"Hey! I thought you already left like half an hour ago." I said.

"Nope. I had a few books to return. How was the exam for you?"

I explained him everything I felt during the last minutes of the examination, and while I was doing so, my phone buzzed. It was a message from Kevin, asking me if I did well on the finals.

*

At that point in time, almost six months after the winter incidents, I had his undivided attention again. Apparently, nothing serious happened in the night of the poker game, and he continued to pursuit his courting for a good long while, until he got tired of waiting. Kevin gave up his wild Grace chase when he noticed a photo of her and her ex still standing on her furniture.

After a while of being in good terms with him again, I realized he was the only one I could be with if I was given the chance. Or, if I created such a chance by moving out of my house and into grandma's now empty apartment. My parents agreed to this only for the summer, and when I told Kevin about my plan, he was skeptical.

"Are you sure you want to do this? You don't have to. And I can't promise you anything after this. I don't want to get more emotionally involved and trapped in a long-distance relationship."

"I know, but I still want this. Trust me: I'm old enough to go through with this: I will survive the end of it. It's my decision, and I can also promise you that I won't ask for anything more than what you can give."

"Gosh, Pheobe! You know I want you. But at the same time I don't want you to be hurt when the time is up."

"I'm mentally prepared, so don't worry. Just enjoy what I'm offering. You would be stupid if you wouldn't."