Chapter 55: Fifty Five

I woke up before my alarm, tangled in my sheets and blinking into the quiet morning. The sun hadn’t fully risen yet, but my heart was already thudding like I’d missed something important. It was exam day. The first of three finals this week.

My phone buzzed on my nightstand: “You’ve got this. Proud of you already. – D.”

I smiled before I could stop myself. The memory of his voice saying I love you drifted through my mind, feeling like a good dream. But it had been real. I smiled to myself.

But it didn't last long as reality slammed back in. I had to focus.

By 8 am, I was already at the cafe across from campus, notes spread out in front of me, my laptop open to a mock quiz. The place was filled with students muttering to themselves, clicking pens, chugging coffee from thermoses.

Jacob slid into the seat across from me, holding two takeaway cups.

“Double shot espresso for the lady who never sleeps,” he said with a grin, setting it in front of me.

“Thank you,” I murmured, taking a grateful sip.

“You okay?” he asked. “You’ve been kinda... zoned out lately.”

“I’m fine. Just... this week is a lot.”

He nodded, watching me for a second too long. “You know, I’m really proud of you. You’ve been killing it all semester.”

Something tightened in my chest. “Thanks, Jacob.”

Just then, Mara walked by our table, her tote bag slung over one shoulder. She gave a tight smile. “Big study session, huh?”

“Finals,” Jacob replied. “You ready?”

Mara shrugged. “Sure. Some people just have to work really hard, you know?”

I looked up at her, meeting her eyes. “We all have to earn it the same way.”

“Of course,” she said, her voice too light. Then she turned and walked away, but not before I caught the flick of her eyes toward Jacob, and then to me.

“Is it just me,” Jacob muttered, “or has she been extra weird lately?”

“It’s not just you,” I said, flipping to the next page in my notebook.

He was quiet for a moment before saying, “She’s probably stressed by the exams. But... I don’t know. With you, it feels personal.”

“Because it probably is.”

Jacob gave me a long look. “Did something happen between you two?”

I hesitated. “Not exactly. Just… weird tension.”

He leaned back in his chair, tapping his pen on the table. “Well, I’ve got your back. Whatever this is, she won’t mess with you.”

I smiled faintly. “Thanks.”

\-

The exam hall buzzed with tension. I found my seat and stared down at the blank exam booklet.

My pen hovered over the first question. Then I saw it, one of the theoretical concepts Declan had walked me through during one of our late-night study sessions.

I took a deep breath and started writing.

When the time was called, I exhaled like I’d been holding my breath for two hours straight.

Outside, clusters of students gathered to discuss the paper.

Jacob found me on the steps. “How’d it go?”

I smiled. “Not terrible. Maybe even okay.”

He slung an arm over my shoulders. “Told you. Wanna grab a coffee to celebrate?”

I hesitated. “Rain check? I need to go over material for Thursday’s exam. My brain’s still spinning.”

“Of course. I’ll walk you home?”

“I’m good, really.”

He studied me for a second but nodded. “Alright. But if you change your mind, you know where to find me.”

\-

Back in my room, I dropped onto the bed, utterly drained. My phone buzzed.

Dec: How’d it go?

Me: I survived.

Dec: Proud of you. Dinner on me after your last one.

I grinned to myself.

A knock at the door made me jump.

I wasn’t expecting anyone. I quickly texted Declan.

Me: You have to stop showing up unexpectedly.

I padded to the door cautiously and peeked through the peephole.

Expecting Declan, I had a huge smile on my face. But it was…Jacob.

I opened it slowly. “Hey... what are you doing here?”

He held up a tote bag with takeout containers. “Thought you might be hungry. And you mentioned how behind you felt for Thursday, so I figured we could study together.”

“Oh,” I said, startled. “You didn’t text.”

“I know. Thought I’d surprise you.”

He looked uncertain for the first time since I met him, like he was waiting for me to say no.

I stepped aside and motioned him in. “Come on in.”

He smiled, the easygoing charm returning as he walked past me. “You always smell like lavender and coffee.”

I shut the door and tried not to blush. “It’s just the candle and my caffeine problem.”

We sat cross legged on my bedroom floor, Chinese takeout containers spread out between us, textbooks open. He talked me through a few equations I had been struggling with.

But the entire time, my mind kept drifting.

To Declan.

To how he would’ve explained this same material, maybe leaning in too close, making my skin tingle.

Jacob was talking about market elasticity when I caught him watching me.

“You sure you’re okay?” he asked.

“Yeah,” I said too quickly. “Just tired.”

“You’ve been different lately. Like, ever since that weekend trip.”

I froze. “I just needed a break. I think it helped.”

He nodded slowly. “You’d tell me if something was wrong, right?”

“Of course.”

He reached over and gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “Good. Because I care about you, Willow. I’m not just saying that.”

I froze at the gesture. I didn’t know how to draw this boundary with Jacob. I couldn’t tell him that I was seeing someone, and we had kissed once…so what would I say to him?

Just as Jacob was flipping through one of his printed lecture slides, my phone buzzed.

Dec.

I hesitated, glancing quickly at Jacob. He didn’t seem to notice. I slid the phone off the table and quietly stood up.

“I’ll be back in a sec,” I said, motioning toward the kitchen. Jacob gave me a thumbs up, too focused on highlighting something to ask questions.

I pressed answer the moment I was out of earshot.

“Hey,” I said softly, leaning against the fridge.

Declan’s voice had an edge. “Hey. What did you mean I need to stop showing up unexpectedly?”

I hesitated, “Um…there was someone at the door and I thought it was you.”

There was a pause, “So who was it?”

I bit my lip. “Jacob. He showed up with food and asked to study together. I didn’t know he was coming.”

Silence.

Then, sharply, “He’s at your place? Willow, its 11 pm.”

“Yes,” I said quickly. “Just to study.”

“Do you usually let him drop by unannounced and spend the night in your apartment?”

My back stiffened. “Declan, he’s a friend. You know that.”

“I know he’s not just a friend,” he said, quieter now. “Not to him.”

I didn’t say anything.

“I don’t like this,” he added.

“You don’t have to like it,” I replied gently but firmly. “You’re the one who said we have to keep things low. That means I can’t exactly tell Jacob what we are.”

“I’m not asking you to,” he said, his voice tight. “But it doesn’t mean I want him in your apartment at night.”

I closed my eyes. “We’re just studying. He brought takeout.”

“So?”

I opened my mouth, then closed it. “You’re not being fair.”

Declan exhaled heavily. “Maybe not. I hate thinking about the way he looks at you.”

A silence stretched between us.

“I’ll call you after he leaves,” I said quietly.

“No,” he replied, softening. “Get some sleep. We’ll talk about this later.”

“I miss you,” I murmured.

His reply was clipped. “I miss you, too.”