A wave of quiet relief washed over Ariana as she walked back to her dorm. The confrontation by the pond had left her shaken, but Jane's description—blonde hair, blue eyes;was a key that didn't fit the lock of Kian. She lay on her bed, mentally sketching his face: the light brown curls, the stormy gray eyes, the quiet intensity that was uniquely his. No, the boy Jane was waiting for was someone else entirely. 😅
As if summoned by her thoughts, her phone chimed. It was Kian.
"Sorry Ari, I won't be able to meet you today. My best friend in the department, you know, Karim, the one with the blonde hair, has some important work. We'll meet later, don't be angry; when I come back I'll bring you your favorite cookies. Do your work well." 💗
The message untied the last, tight knot of anxiety in her chest. Karim. The one with the blonde hair. It all made perfect sense. A soft, spontaneous hum escaped her lips. Her focus lingered on the first two letters of her name"Ari". It sounded like a secret, affectionate shorthand that belonged only to them. 😊
She typed her reply, her fingers light and quick: "It's okay. Just do your work carefully. We'll meet freely when the exam is over."
The world had righted itself. After a calm dinner in the dining hall, she managed an hour of focused study before bed, her heart finally light, grateful that the storm of doubt had passed, leaving a clearer, brighter sky in its wake.
________________________________________
The next morning, Ariana woke with the dawn, her mind sharp and ready. The 7:00 AM start for her Macroeconomics exam felt less like a chore and more like a challenge she was prepared to meet.
By 11:00 AM, it was over. She walked out of the hall with a genuine smile; the paper had been the easiest she'd faced all week. The clarity of a mind free from worry was a potent advantage. Now, with a few hours until her Banking Concepts exam at 2:00 PM, she headed for a quick brunch, her notes waiting to be reviewed with a focus that felt effortless and calm. 😄