They took their time walking back.
The streets near campus had quieted even more, the breeze curling around lamp posts and ruffling the leaves like a soft exhale.
Noel held onto the pastry bag in one hand, the other still loosely linked with Luca's. No rush. Just the hush of a slow afternoon.
When they reached the dorm steps, Noel paused at the bottom.
"Kind of weird," he murmured, looking up at the building. "Feels like we left this morning in a different mood."
Luca tilted his head. "We did. You left stressed and caffeine-deprived. Now you're full of sugar and existential dread. That's called balance."
Noel laughed, shaking his head. "Thanks for the diagnosis, Dr. Sarcasm."
"Anytime." Luca bumped his shoulder gently. "Come on, dorm therapy awaits."
Inside, the dorm was still hushed.
The faint hum of vending machines, the distant thud of someone dragging a suitcase.
