The hum of the coffee shop buzzed around Serena, Sophie, and Emma as they sat in their favorite booth by the window. The table was cluttered with half-empty cups, a shared plate of scones, and Sophie's animated hand gestures as she recounted her latest escapade.
"So..." Sophie began dramatically, leaning back in her chair, "Alex texted me at 2 AM. Again. Can you believe the nerve?"
Emma tilted her head, her expression calm but curious. "What did he say this time?"
"Something about 'missing me' and wanting to 'catch up,'" Sophie said, rolling her eyes but smirking. "We all know what that means. Honestly, it's nothing serious. Just some fun before uni starts."
Serena looked up from her cup, arching an eyebrow. "Alex? As in Alex Thompson?"
Sophie's smirk widened. "The one and only. He's Kyle's best friend, you know."
At the mention of Kyle, Serena's heart skipped a beat, though she quickly masked it. "How did I not know this? Are you keeping secrets from me, Soph?"
"Please," Sophie said with a playful scoff. "It's not a secret. It's just…a thing. No strings, no expectations." She leaned in conspiratorially. "But between us, Alex mentioned Kyle's heading to Bath too."
Serena stiffened, gripping her cup a little tighter. "Did he?"
Emma glanced between them, her curiosity piqued. "Wait, who's Kyle?"
Serena and Sophie exchanged a look before Serena replied, her voice carefully neutral. "Kyle Easton. We grew up together. His family moved away a few years ago."
"'Grew up together' is putting it lightly," Sophie added with a teasing grin. "They were practically glued to each other as kids. Kyle used to call her his future wife."
"Sophie!" Serena protested, her cheeks flushing.
Emma giggled. "That's adorable. Are you two still close?"
"Not really," Serena said quickly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "We lost touch after he moved."
Sophie studied her for a moment, her grin fading slightly. "Well, maybe you'll catch up at university. Stranger things have happened."
Later that afternoon, the girls wandered through the bustling streets, enjoying the warm sun and the carefree energy of their final summer days. Serena clutched her small notebook, feeling a mix of excitement and apprehension about sharing it with them.
As they passed a boutique, the door swung open, and a tall brunette stepped out. She was striking, her dark hair cascading over her shoulders, and her piercing eyes scanned the trio with unnerving precision.
The woman's gaze lingered on Serena for a beat too long, a faint smirk tugging at the corners of her lips.
"Lovely day, isn't it?" she said, her tone smooth and oddly familiar.
Serena blinked, caught off guard. "Uh, yeah, it is."
The woman tilted her head slightly, her expression almost amused. Then, without another word, she turned and walked away, disappearing into the crowd.
"That was…weird," Emma murmured, her brow furrowing.
"Do you think she's someone important?" Sophie asked, glancing back over her shoulder. "She looked like she knew us."
Serena didn't reply, but the encounter left her uneasy, a faint sense of recognition stirring in the back of her mind.
That evening, Serena sat with her mom at the kitchen table, sorting through a pile of photos. The boys were out, giving them a rare moment of peace.
"Are you nervous about leaving?" her mom asked, setting a cup of tea in front of her.
"A little," Serena admitted, tracing the rim of the cup with her finger. "It's going to be strange not being here all the time."
Her mom's expression softened, her hand resting on Serena's. "You're going to do great, sweetheart. And remember, you can always call me if you need anything."
Serena nodded, her throat tightening. She wanted to tell her mom everything—the diagnosis, the bucket list, the fear that kept her awake at night—but she couldn't.
Instead, she leaned forward and hugged her. "Thanks, Mom. For everything."
The next morning, the Winters family packed up the car and made the drive to Bath University. The campus was breathtaking, its historic stone buildings surrounded by sprawling lawns and ivy-covered walls.
Serena's dorm was on the east side of campus, a modern building with wide windows that let in plenty of light. She shared it with Emma, who had opted to come to Bath as well.
As she unpacked her things, Serena's thoughts drifted to the past. To Kyle. She hadn't seen him in years, but the memory of his mischievous smile and the way he used to tease her lingered.
When she stepped outside for some air, she didn't expect to see him.
But there he was.
Kyle Easton leaned casually against a low wall, chatting with a group of students. His dark hair was slightly tousled, and his sharp features had only become more defined since the last time she saw him.
For a moment, their gazes met.
"Serena," he said, his voice carrying a note of surprise.
"Kyle," she replied, her heart pounding.
A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips, and for a brief moment, it felt like no time had passed. But the weight of their shared history, unspoken and unresolved, hung between them.
"Long time no see," Kyle said, his tone casual, though his eyes were anything but.
"Yeah," Serena said softly. "It has been."
Sophie's voice called from behind her, breaking the moment. Serena turned to see her waving, Alex Thompson by her side.
"Looks like we're all going to have an interesting year," Kyle said, his smile deepening.
Serena's stomach flipped. She had a feeling he was right.