In the hushed ambiance of the library, students immersed themselves in their books, with only the occasional whisper breaking the stillness. The sunlight streamed through the glass windows, casting a gentle, enchanting glow.
Ryan's face was set in a grimace, his perfectly shaped eyebrows furrowed as if he could crush a fly between them. He lowered his head and pulled her hand to a less conspicuous angle, away from prying eyes.
He took a deep breath and, with an exaggerated show of irritation, blew a gust of air onto her palm.
Emily couldn't contain the ticklish sensation and let out a soft laugh, quickly covering her mouth to stifle the sound.
Ryan shot her a disapproving glare.
Emily covered her mouth with both hands, her laughter escaping in soft, sparkling bursts. It was just too adorable! Her laughter, full of joy, glistened at the corners of her eyes. She knew, she absolutely knew, that no matter how he acted, he would always be kind to her.
"Emily!"
Ryan's voice was a cold growl.
Heads turned in the library, teachers and students alike glancing their way.
"Shh!"
Emily made a silencing gesture, whispering, "Be quiet. We're in the library."
"You're teasing me!" Ryan accused in a low, furious tone.
"Yes," she admitted with a playful sticking out of her tongue.
Her straightforward confession caught him off guard. He stared at her, momentarily at a loss for words.
"It's what you agreed to."
"What the hell did I agree to?" Ryan demanded, his frustration evident.
"You promised to go out with me for a month, so during this month, you're my boyfriend." Emily's mischievous smile remained as she continued flipping through her journals. "Just having a bit of fun with your boyfriend, what's the big deal?"
As she glanced at the frozen Ryan, a smile danced at the corners of her lips.
"Hey."
"What?" His tone was gruff.
"It doesn't hurt anymore."
"…"
"Thank you." Her eyes curved into crescent moons, radiating warmth.
Ryan was silent for a moment before he slumped back onto the long table, mumbling, "Write the paper yourself! Stop bothering me, or I'll knock your head off!"
In the evening, as Emily walked back to the dorm with her copied materials, a gentle smile lingered on her lips. She took a deep breath, savoring the summer's intense warmth and the refreshing fragrance that filled the air. Ah, such a beautiful scent! While "beautiful" might seem an unusual way to describe a fragrance, it was the only word that floated to her mind.
She followed the scent with her gaze.
At the window of the dormitory manager's room, a vase held a bouquet of pure white flowers. In a small glass bottle, filled halfway with clear water, the dark green leaves and five or six delicate white blooms stood in serene elegance. The flowers bloomed quietly, their fragrance subtle and ethereal, as if they had transcended time and space, seeping gently into the depths of Emily's heart.
"What kind of flower is it?"
Emily asked with curiosity, gently touching the petals with her fingers.
Miss Carolyn, closing the completed dormitory logbook, looked up with a warm smile. "These are gardenias."
"Gardenias?" Emily exclaimed softly. She had only read about gardenias in books before, known for their purity and fragrance. She had never had the chance to see them in person until now. To her surprise, they were even more charming than she had imagined.
"Do you like them?"
"Yes! They're so beautiful, and they smell wonderful!" Emily's eyes sparkled with admiration.
Miss Carolyn stood up, carefully lifting the vase of gardenias and placing it in Emily's hands with a gentle smile. "Then they're for you. Remember to change the water daily; they should last for another three to four days."
"Oh, no…" Emily quickly tried to return the flowers, feeling embarrassed. "Miss Carolyn, you've already taken such good care of me when I was ill… I don't know how to thank you enough… I can't take your flowers…"
"Foolish child…" Miss Carolyn took her hand and gave it a reassuring pat. "You've just moved here and are unfamiliar with many things. It's only natural that I look after you. Besides, I heard from the others that you've been through some difficulties recently."
Emily bit her lip. "No, everyone has been very kind to me."
Miss Carolyn gazed at her with a tender smile. "Emily, I've liked you since the very first day you moved into the dorm. If you ever need anything, remember to tell me. I'll be here to help you."
Emily's eyes welled up with tears. "Yes, I understand. Thank you, Miss Carolyn." Her mother had passed away when she was very young, and her father, a Red Cross doctor, was often abroad helping those in need. Miss Carolyn's care felt like a warm current flowing into her, almost making her tears flow.
"Take the flowers," Miss Carolyn said, placing the gardenias back into her hands. "If you like them, keep them by your bed. The fragrance will uplift your mood and help you recover faster."
"Okay!"
Without saying more, Emily took a deep breath, suddenly putting down the flowers and the papers she had been holding. She threw her arms around Miss Carolyn in a heartfelt embrace.
"Miss Carolyn, I like you too!"
With her cheeks slightly flushed, she quickly gathered the flowers and papers, and ran upstairs with a joyful thud of footsteps.