The café smelled like heaven.
Roasted coffee beans and sweet pastries mixed in the air, wrapping around the small space like a cozy blanket.
Zahra leaned back in her chair, arms crossed and a satisfied smirk on her face. It was the kind of smirk someone wears when they think they've caught their prey off guard.
"So that's what the exam was about, huh."
Across from her, Kyle sat with a chocolate latte cupped between his hands. His back was straight, his face polite as always, but his eyes, those betrayed him.
Tired.
Drained.
All he wanted was to get back to his room, kick off his shoes, and collapse.
But no.
Fate seems to had other plans.
On his way out of the academy grounds earlier, he'd bumped into Zahra and Elizabeth.
He'd tried to escape politely, mumbling about needing rest, but Zahra had that way about her. Persistent but playful.
Before he knew it, here he was, sitting at a small round table with them, trapped by kindness.
