Chapter 65: Sixty Five

The campus felt different.

Maybe it was the shift in the weather, the heavy warmth of late spring clinging to every stone wall and tree. Or maybe it was me. For the first time in what felt like forever, I wasn’t bracing for something to go wrong.

Declan and I had returned from my hometown with something quiet and sturdy building between us. Something real. I guess the encounter with my mom had solidified things for us.

He hadn’t pushed me, hadn’t rushed me. He just made space. And I met him there. We were careful, sure, but no longer afraid of what we meant to each other.

The morning had been full of little moments. Declan brushing my shoulder with his arm as we left his office. Me slipping him a note folded into my lecture notebook. The kind of tiny, whispered connection that sustained us in public silence.

Now I was in Professor Jennings’s lecture. I had been a little late and was forced to sit beside Mara. She barely acknowledged me, her gaze fixed on her phone screen.

She’d been strangely quiet this past week; but I knew her well enough by now to recognize that her silence wasn’t surrender. I was continually suspicious of her.

Professor Jennings cleared her throat. “Before we begin today, I have an announcement regarding the Research Assistant position.”

My heart started pounding. I gripped my pen tighter and tried not to glance at Mara, whose head lifted just slightly, posture straightening.

“After a thorough review of all submitted proposals,” Professor Jennings continued, “we’re pleased to announce that this year’s RA position has been awarded to... Willow Whitefield.”

The words echoed in my ears.

I blinked. Froze.

And then, a wave of relief washed over me.

No clapping. No cheers. Just stunned quiet.

Then someone let out a low whistle. Jacob.

Mara turned to stare at me, her expression unreadable at first, not surprised, but not congratulatory either. And then she let out a single laugh. A cold sound that made the hair on my arms rise.

“Of course,” she muttered, loudly enough for others to hear.

Professor Jennings ignored her. “Willow, please see me after class to collect the formal letter and next steps.”

I nodded slowly, my voice caught somewhere in my throat. “Thank you,” I finally managed.

Mara leaned in, voice sharp and syrupy. “Guess it pays to be close to the faculty, huh?”

I turned to look at her, my smile tight. “Or maybe my proposal was just better than yours.”

That shut her up.

Jacob was watching me now. I met his gaze, and his expression was unreadable. Still, he gave me a small smile. I smiled back.

When class ended, I approached Professor Jennings, who handed me the envelope with a rare, sincere smile. “Your project on urban sustainability and community led design stood out. Excellent work, Willow. The faculty is excited for you to join us over the summer.”

“Thank you,” I said again, this time steadier.

When I stepped out into the hallway, the air felt lighter.

And then Declan was there.

He wasn’t smiling too widely; we’d rehearsed this. But his eyes were bright, and the way his shoulders relaxed when he saw me made my breath catch.

“Hey,” he said under his breath, walking beside me like we were just normal faculty and a student leaving the same room.

“I got it,” I said, showing him the envelope.

“I know,” he murmured. “You earned it.”

“Did you… help?”

“No,” he said firmly. “I made sure I wasn’t involved in any part of the decision. Jennings wanted a blind process. Your proposal spoke for itself.”

I nodded. “That means a lot.”

He looked like he wanted to say more, but then Jacob passed by us. He paused for a moment, giving me a strange, measured look; like something had clicked.

“You deserve it,” he said.

“Thanks,” I said, trying not to overthink his tone.

Jacob held my gaze a second longer, then walked away.

Declan leaned in, his voice low. “Think he’s pissed?”

“Maybe,” I whispered. “I don’t know. He’s not the one I worry about.”

Declan didn’t respond to that. We kept walking until we reached the courtyard. Still apart. Still pretending. But closer than ever.

My phone buzzed. A text from Mara.

Enjoy your little victory. You won’t hold onto it long.

I locked the screen without responding.

Let her seethe.

Let her plot.

Because for the first time in a long while, I had something she didn’t.

A win.

And someone to share it with.

As we turned the corner of the hallway, Declan glanced around before subtly brushing his knuckles against mine. It was the smallest touch, but it sent warmth all the way up my arm.

“We need to celebrate,” he said under his breath, smiling sideways at me.

I grinned. “We can’t exactly toast champagne in your office.”

“No,” he said, leaning closer, “but we can take a drive after classes. There’s a little place outside town. Quiet. Private. We could have dinner there.”

“You’re serious?”

“Of course I’m serious. You got the RA position. That’s a big deal, Willow.” He looked at me, eyes softer now. “And I’m proud of you.”

That made something catch in my chest. “Okay,” I said, nodding. “Dinner sounds perfect.”

He gave a small, satisfied nod. “I’ll text you when I’m done with the faculty meeting.”

I smiled, heart still buzzing. “Got it, Professor.”

His eyes darkened at the word, like it still did something to him. “But first…”