(Michelle Lui's POV)
Cold air curled around my scarf as I stepped onto campus.
December had settled over the city like a quiet breath — crisp mornings, pale sunshine, soft winter coats everywhere. Students walked around clutching hot drinks, breath misting in the air. Christmas decorations were being set up by the main fountain — small lights wrapping around bare branches, a few red ribbons fluttering in the wind.
Normally it would have made me smile.
Today it felt… distant.
Not heavy.
Not awful.
Just… muted.
I exhaled, hugging my books closer.
Physics Lecture.
The first period.
Reality. Lara.
Just as I reached the Physics building steps—
"Michelle."
His voice landed softly behind me.
I turned.
Steven was there.
Dark winter coat.
Gray scarf.
Hair slightly tousled by the wind.
He didn't rush toward me.
He simply stood — steady, warm, unmistakably present.
"Good morning," he said.
"Morning," I whispered, that familiar flutter flickering under my ribs.
