...
Classes had started back in full swing, and for once, I didn't want to miss a single one. I had always been a serious student, and this semester I was determined to keep my grades high. My focus, however, had shifted slightly—not away from my studies, but toward a new friend who had quickly become my anchor: Debbie.
Debbie and I had the same classes, similar schedules, and a mutual obsession with notes and perfect attendance. We spent hours in the library, quizzing each other, sharing snacks, and sometimes just talking about life. Compared to Mia, who seemed to be disappearing more and more into Marvel's orbit, Debbie was a breath of fresh air. Mia's constant absence from classes and the dorm's increasing chaos made me feel even more grateful for Debbie's steady presence.
Even though the dorm was still filled with tension—the Marvel-Mia energy was hard to ignore—I felt grounded. I could focus on my work, my grades, and my responsibilities. But in the back of my mind, a little knot of worry lingered: Sami's birthday was coming up first. I wanted to do something special for him, but I had to be careful with money.
I joked to him over text one evening, "I probably won't get you anything for your birthday. I'm too broke."
He laughed softly. "It's fine if you don't," he replied. But I could tell he wasn't just brushing it off—he cared. I pressed further, curious. "So… what do you want?"
"A boot… or a jersey," he said casually.
I froze. Football boots were expensive, and I hadn't even started saving. But the idea of seeing his face light up when he received something I had planned, something I had saved for, made my heart swell. I knew I had to start planning immediately, budgeting carefully, and finding a way to make it happen without overspending. Every dollar counted.
Between classes, studying with Debbie, and dodging the chaos back in the dorm, I began plotting. I even joked to Debbie one evening, laughing over our notes, "If I don't get him this gift, I'll live to regret it forever."
Debbie just smiled, giving me a playful nudge. "You've got this. You're already more organized than Marvel and Mia combined."
That made me laugh, but it also reminded me of just how different my life had become. Between studies, friendships, romance, and the drama that followed me around the dorm, I was juggling a lot—but I was learning to balance it all.
The next few days were a whirlwind of lectures, assignments, and library marathons. But I also noticed something new: Hudson. He was one of the guys in my class, tall, charming, and with a smile that seemed to appear at the most unexpected moments. He had been trying to get my attention for weeks, asking me out subtly in class and sometimes more directly after lectures.
At first, I ignored him. I wasn't interested—not because he wasn't attractive—but because my heart was already tangled up with Sami. Still, Hudson had this persistence that was hard to miss. During one lecture, he passed me a note: "You're always so focused. Can I take you out tonight?" I almost rolled my eyes, but the corner of my mouth twitched into a reluctant smile.
Another day, as Debbie and I were walking back from a study session, Hudson appeared out of nowhere. "Hey, Nuella," he said, leaning casually against the library doorway. "I know you're busy with studies, but can we grab a quick coffee tonight? I promise it'll be fun."
I hesitated. "Hudson… I'm really busy tonight."
He frowned, his puppy-dog look on full display. "Please? Just one hour. I'll make it worth your while."
I laughed softly, shaking my head. "Maybe some other time," I said, walking away with Debbie, who was quietly snickering beside me. Hudson was persistent, and I could tell he wasn't used to rejection, but my focus had to stay on Sami.
Amid all this, I had another challenge: Marvel's birthday was coming up. I only found out when Mia casually suggested, "Hey, we should get Marvel something for her birthday." I paused. Marvel and I weren't particularly close, but I didn't want anyone to think I had anything against her. Cassie agreed, and I finally nodded. "Let's get her something," I said. And then it hit me—I realized Marvel's birthday was the same day as my youngest sibling's. The coincidence made me smirk quietly to myself.
Even as I sorted out plans for Marvel's gift, Sami's birthday remained my priority. I wanted him to feel special, and even though money was tight, I started saving every dollar carefully. I pictured the look on his face when he opened the gift—a football boot or jersey, something meaningful. That thought made all the planning and saving worth it.
Some evenings, while studying with Debbie, my phone would buzz with texts from Sami. "Are you free tomorrow?" he'd ask, or "I can't wait to see you." The little messages made my heart race. I wanted to text back immediately, but I also had to focus on schoolwork and planning his gift.
Other times, Hudson's texts would arrive in the same thread, persistent and teasing. "Are you ignoring me on purpose?" or "You're too cute to be buried in books all day. Come out tonight!" I would sigh, rolling my eyes, but a small part of me wondered why he was so determined to spend time with me. I reminded myself: my heart belonged to Sami, and no amount of charm would change that.
Days flew by in a blur of assignments, lectures, and dorm life. Between Debbie's support, Hudson's persistent attempts, and the planning of two birthdays, I felt a strange mix of stress and excitement. The dorm was still a little chaotic, but I had found my own balance—studies, friendship, and romance all coexisting.
And when I finally had a quiet moment, I allowed myself to imagine Sami's birthday celebration. The small details—the gift, his smile, the way his eyes would light up—made my heart swell. It wasn't just about the present; it was about showing him that, despite everything, I cared deeply.