“Did I do it right this time?” Cole’s voice was tentative, but there was a mischievous glint in his eyes.

Alessia’s gaze softened. “Yeah, you did great.”

“So, are we still going out for dinner?”

“We booked the whole ce, didn’t we? Of course we’re going.”

Fingers entwined, they walked off together, their voices fading into the distance as the sunset cast a golden glow around them. They looked every bit the picture of young love.

New couples always seemed a little more attached than usual, and as summer break drew to a close, the group finally stepped into their college lives.

Penny and Ste ended up at the same university, while Queenie, Cole, and Alessia attended another. Zachary, meanwhile, was thrilled to start at the medical college

he’d dreamed of.

What surprised everyone was Alessia’s choice. Despite being the city’s top student that year, she didn’t go for finance as expected. Instead, she chose English literature, though she also picked up finance as a double major to be in sses with Cole.

Seeing that she had her own ns, the Mortons didn’t object. They just wanted her to do what made her happy.

On orientation dayi, /iQueenie was still abroad for an event, so Alessia and Cole arrived on campus with Larkin, who drove them there.

Neither of them was the shy type, and they knew college was a different world from high school. They arrived in the most unremarkable car, but even so, they drew more than a few curious stares.

“There are too many students up ahead. Let’s get out here,” Cole suggested, ncing at the packed crowd and gridlocked cars. The start of term had turned the campus roads into a parking lot.

Larkin agreed, then got out to fetch the luggage from the trunk.

Alessia only brought one suitcase; Cole took it from Larkin without a second thought, since he hadn’t brought anything himself.

Cole’s situation was a bit unique–he’d gotten permission to live off campus.

09:35

Alessia, on the other hand, didn’t want any special treatment; the college rules said only sophomores and above could live off campus, so she stuck with the dorms.

Compared to the other students hauling piles of bags and boxes, Alessia’s single suitcase and Cole’s empty hands made them look a little out of ce.

“Let’s go,” Cole said as Larkin closed the trunk, freeing up one hand and wiggling his fingers in a beckoning gesture.

Alessiaughed softly and slipped her hand into his.

They walked confidently through the crowd–two good–looking faces turning heads everywhere they went.

By the end of that very first day, someone had already snapped a picture of them and posted it on the college’s anonymous confession page, asking which department’s upperssman hade to pick up his girlfriend.

But that was a story for another time.

For now, the two were heading toward the girls‘ dorm. Since it was check–in day, the school made an exception and allowed parents and male friends up to help.

Not ones to dawdle, Alessia and Cole had arrived early–despite being locals–just so they’d have extra time to go on a dateter. When they got to the dorm room, they were the only ones there.

Cole took it upon himself to fetch water and wipe down Alessia’s bed, while she unpacked her suitcase beside him. They worked together, and in no time, their little corner was neat and organized.

“All set. Let’s go check in,” iCole /isaid.

Alessia nodded and locked the door behind them.

Since their majors were different and they wanted to get things done quickly, they decided to report at their own registration tents and meet back at the campus gate afterward,

“Excuse me, do you know where the finance department is?” Alessia had just left her tent with her paperwork when someone called out to her.

“It’s that way,” she replied, nodding in the direction Cole had just gone.

“Thanks! You know, I feel like I’ve seen you somewhere before…”

Alessia nced up, studying his face. She was sure she’d never met him.

09.35

“You’re mistaken,” she answered, her tone cool but certain.

The guy didn’t seem fazed; he just scratched his head and gave her a big, friendly

grin.

“I’m Fortune, by the way. Mind if we get to know each other?”