She nestled into her studies, attempting to distract herself from the ache of waiting. But her mind refused to cooperate, drifting relentlessly to Ryder.
His face floated before her eyes, a haunting reminder of what she longed for. Every sentence she read, every equation she solved, seemed to echo with the same unspoken question: Would he call?
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, she finished her coursework. She stretched her arms overhead, arching her back in a languid stretch, and yawned widely.
Stepping into the shower, she let the warm water envelop her, washing away the day's anxieties. Her eyelids drifted shut, she savored the peaceful moment.
Her eyes locked onto the diary on the bookshelf, and she felt an inexplicable pull. Wrapped in a towel, she swiftly crossed the room and grasped it, holding it close.
"Oh no, I totally forgot about this—what if Charlotte had discovered my secret?"
