then ~ RUEL FANFIC~

Alira's POV

7 Months Later

University Of Sydney Student Residence

I almost roll out of of bed but stop myself at the last seconds and cling to the sheets before I topple off. 

Rolling back onto my back I feel for comfort in the sheets next to me but they're cold and empty. 

The bedroom door is wide open and I can hear the kettle boiling in the kitchen. I sit up and rub my eyes, morning sun flooding the room through the sheer curtains.

It takes longer than I'd like it to to wake up my legs and walk the extremely short distance down the hall to the bench.

"Morning." Ruel looks happy and a lot more awake than I do. I smile. 

"Sleep well?"

"Yeah. You?"

"Didn't fall asleep till like 4. So no."

"You can rest today, you don't have anything until this afternoon."

"Thanks. You heading out this morning?"

"Yeah, there's some lecture on and I think I should go. I don't understand this stupid fucking course anyway, it's dumb."

"Stick to it,  you'll be alright."

"I'm a dropout and I think the most important things I should've already learnt must've been In year 11 and 12 which I didn't take."

"I'm a dropout too, remember? It doesn't have to be easy, alright, you got this."

I walk over to where he's filling a cup of water at the sink and hug him from behind. Let go and he turns around, pulls me back into a proper hug.

"I might head off to a random lecture, I don't want to sit at home all day."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, I know where a back door is at one of the buildings. It's always unlocked."

"Ok. Call me if you need anything."

I go back to our room and get changed. It's a cold but sunny morning and the grass outside is covered in frost. 

My bag is hanging on the back of the door, already packed and ready, so I put it over my shoulder, put on some high tops an go back out to the small living area.

"Grab some food." He suggests.

"No. I won't be gone long."

"Ok. Have a good time." He kisses me on the cheek and I leave the house.

The short walk across to the main campus is quick and not many people are out at this time of day. I check my phone and it's only 9:24. 

I scan my pass at the gates and go inside. The cafe is open and pretty much empty so I go in to get a coffee.

"Howdy, stranger." Says the barista. She's a middle aged, short, thin woman called who serves me every day. We've become sort of friends.  "The same this morning?"

"Yes, please."

"And anything for Ruel?"

"No. He's at home right now, he might come get one on the way to his lecture."

"Ah, ok. If you see him before he comes tell him I said hi."

"I'll make sure to."

"Well, here's your coffee. Have a nice day."