In the days following , Bella found herself busier than ever. Between attending lectures, prepping for exams, and revising her notes, she had little time to think about anything else. Her exams were only a few months away, and Bella was determined not to let her grades slip any further. She had to make sure she was prepared.
Amidst the hectic schedule, something else had changed , her bond with Suzy had grown stronger. Though Bella initially found Suzy's cunning personality a bit off-putting, she quickly realized that beneath the surface, Suzy was a genuine and easy-going friend,. The two girls, along with Mia, spent more time together, whether studying in the library or treating themselves to ice cream at their favorite parlor. Bella felt comforted by their presence, and it helped distract her from one person who had been occupying her mind more than she liked 'Adrian'
Despite her best efforts to stay focused on her studies, Adrian never failed to slip into her thoughts, especially with his constant texts. Every morning and night, he sent her sweet messages. wishing her a good day and later, goodnight. Bella had never replied, but she found herself looking forward to them, smiling at her phone like a silly teenager. His good morning texts had become part of her routine, and as much as she hated to admit it, they made her feel special. She couldn't help but wonder what it would feel like to let herself fall for him.
And so the week flew by. Bella attended her lectures, spent time with Suzy and Mia, and tried her best to push Adrian to the back of her mind. But that was easier said than done. Now, it was the weekend, and the long-anticipated day when the mid-semester results were to be released.
"Hey, have you guys checked your school portal yet?" Suzy asked, walking into the room with her hair still damp from the shower. She had practically moved into Bella and Mia's room at this point, preferring their company over her own dormmates. Bella and Mia didn't mind—they loved having Suzy around.
"No, why?" Bella asked lazily, wrapped up in her blanket on her bed, enjoying the cozy weekend vibes.
Suzy gave her an exasperated look. "The mid-semester results are out! Did you seriously forget?"
Bella got up from her bed in a panic. "Oh my God, I totally forgot!" She grabbed her phone and tried to check the school portal, but groaned when she saw the connection was down. "What's wrong with the network?"
"Probably too many people trying to check their results at once," Suzy said, settling down on the couch.
Bella sighed, collapsing back onto her bed. "I guess I'll have to wait. What a perfect excuse to stay in bed all day."
Suzy chuckled, observing Bella. "You're such a baby."
"What?" ,Bella asked, confused by the remark.
"I've been watching you all week," Suzy said with a smirk "Whenever you're stressed, happy, or even just bored, you run straight for your bed. It's like your safe space. You either sleep or lie down and read Webnovels. It's cute, really."
Bella smiled sheepishly. "Okay, I admit it. I do love my bed."
Before Suzy could respond, the door opened, and Mia walked in carrying shopping bags. "Hey girls, I'm back with breakfast!" she called out, placing the bags on the table. "I got sandwiches and coffee from the cafeteria."
"Is that my favorite beef sandwich?" Suzy asked excitedly.
"Yep! And Bella, I got your favorite chicken sandwich," Mia said, unloading the food. "I got myself a beef sandwich too. Let's eat!"
Bella jumped out of bed with a sudden burst of energy. "Thanks, Mia! Let me freshen up real quick." She dashed to the bathroom, leaving Mia and Suzy laughing at her enthusiasm. One thing was clear: Bella could never resist food, no matter how lazy she claimed to be.
After Bella freshened up, the girls gathered around the table for breakfast. They chatted casually, enjoying their meal, until the conversation inevitably turned to their mid-semester results.
"Alright, I think the portal is working now," Mia said, checking her phone. "Let's see…" She suddenly let out a scream of pure joy, startling Bella and Suzy.
"What happened?" Suzy asked, eyes wide.
"All my courses are either A's or B's! Except for Math…. I got a C, but who cares! I'm so happy!" Mia exclaimed, practically bouncing with excitement
"That's amazing, Mia! Congrats!" Bella said, genuinely happy for her friend.
"Thanks! What about yours, Suzy?" Mia asked.
Suzy quickly checked her results and smiled. "I did pretty well! My theater and fashion design courses are a mix of A's, B's, and C's, but I'm happy with that "
"That's awesome" Bella said, feeling the pressure mounting as both girls turned to her expectantly.
"Come on, Bella, check yours," Mia urged
Bella hesitated, then took a deep breath and opened the portal "Well, most of my courses are A's and B's," she began, a hint of pride in her voice. But then her expression changed as she scrolled further down. "Except for finance…"
"What about finance?" Suzy asked, her tone suddenly serious.
Bella lowered her head, her voice barely a whisper. "It's a D."
"What?!!" Suzy gasped"a D? That's terrible!"
Mia quickly moved to sit beside Bella, wrapping her arms around her in a comforting hug. "It's okay, Bella. You can still fix it during the final exams."
Suzy nodded in agreement. "You're smart, Bella. You've got time to pull it up. We believe in you "
Bella smiled weakly, grateful for her friends' support. "Thanks, guys. I'll work harder. I promise"
Just as she was starting to feel better, her phone buzzed with a new notification. She picked it up, and her heart sank when she saw the message on the screen.
*Adrian Blackwood*: " I hope you haven't forgotten about our deal, Miss Hart"
Bella stared at the message, her mind racing. The deal. She had nearly forgotten about it
Her friends noticed her change in demeanor. "What's wrong?" Mia asked, concerned.
Bella shook her head, forcing a smile. "It's nothing"
Mia and Suzy exchanged knowing glances, but didn't press further. For now, they let the subject drop, focusing instead on helping her shake off the disappointment of her finance grade.
But even as Bella laughed with her friends and tried to focus on the moment, Adrian's message lingered in the back of her mind.