𝐏𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧' 𝐆𝐮𝐲 ➺ 𝐵𝓇𝒾𝒶𝓃 𝑀𝒶𝓎 & 𝒬𝓊𝑒𝑒𝓃

14. Sensitive Little Kitten

"I'm really glad we're doing this," I said with a bright smile, bringing the steaming mug of black coffee to my lips as I sat across from Emma at the small café on Imperial's campus.

"Me too, it feels like forever since we've actually hung out together," Emma agreed, stirring her coffee with a spoon.

"Yeah, there's been so much going on lately, you know? With the boys around and all the assignments due," I replied, trailing off as I tried to take a sip without burning my tongue.

We had chosen to sit outside the café, enjoying the November ambiance as we watched the leaves from September soak in the aftermath of an overnight rainfall, accompanied by a refreshing chill in the air. Early morning students hurried past us, wrapped in their parka coats and hats. We rarely ventured out so early before lectures, but that morning we wanted to carve out some quality time together, knowing that Emma would likely be whisked away by Roger at some point during the day, only to return when I was fast asleep.

"Did you talk to Brian?" Emma asked, effortlessly sipping her coffee.

"Yeah..." I couldn't help but let a smile spread across my lips as I thought about the events of a few nights ago. "Everything's... alright. We're doing alright," I nodded.

"Did he teach you their song puns or something?" Emma laughed, shaking her head.

"No," I joined in the laughter, tucking a stray hair behind my ear. "The good thing is, he's actually called me and talked to me since then. So I must have done something right!"

"Have you mentioned it to..." Emma's voice trailed off as she gestured with her hand.

"No," I quickly interjected. "There's no need for her to know every detail of my life. Yes, she's my mum, but I'm also twenty-two years old. I don't need her interfering the way she does," I tutted, still hurt by her previous words. "Anyway... how's Roger?"

"Distant. Really distant," Emma replied, a slight frown forming on her face. "We haven't really talked much, except for, you know..." I couldn't bear to see the disappointment in my best friend's eyes, but I also couldn't believe she was feeling this way.

"Oh, Emma..." I started, reaching out to hold her hand. "What's going on? I thought everything was great between you two," I whispered, trying not to draw attention to our conversation.

"I don't know what's happening. He's just not really talking to me. It feels like the only time he sees me as a real person is when we're shagging. I'm getting really frustrated with him, but I don't know what the hell to say," she expressed her agitation, and I gently squeezed her hand to calm her down, a trick that always worked.

"You have every right to be angry with him, hun," I spoke assertively and reassuringly. "I mean, has he even clarified that you two are in a committed relationship?"

Emma's gaze drifted away, the frown deepening before she let out a reluctant sigh. "No," she whispered, barely audible. "He hasn't."

I sighed in response, my brows furrowing as I leaned back in my chair. "Emma, you need to do something about this. You can't keep letting yourself down like this. Or..." I glanced to the side, contemplating. "Maybe it's nothing. I've heard rumours that he's dropping out of Imperial, so maybe he's under a lot of stress—"

"He's dropping out?" Emma interrupted, her voice filled with surprise and concern.

"I'm not sure, that's just something I heard. Brian mentioned it, but he was pretty drunk, so I can't be one-hundred percent certain."

Emma nervously chewed on her lip, her gaze fixed on her coffee, which had likely turned lukewarm by now. "Yeah..." she nodded slowly. "It's probably nothing. It's only been a couple of days, after all." She tried to reassure herself with a smile.