Chapter 25
He's Still in My Dreams.
It started three nights after he moved in across the hall.
I dreamt of the classroom again.
The rose in my hand.
His smirk.
The kiss on my mole.
I woke up furious.
And confused.
And a little too breathless for someone who claimed to be over him.
Fatima groaned from her bed.
"Let me guess… Keifer again?"
"Shut. Up."
"Jay. You've dreamed about him every night since we got here."
"I literally hate my brain."
She tossed a pillow at me.
"Girl. You don't hate him. You hate that you still feel."
Chapter 26
Why Did He Have to Be in My Group?
Of course it wasn't enough that we lived across the hall.
Now he had to be in my group project too?
Professor: "We're pairing dorm neighbors. Should make scheduling easier."
Yuri, under his breath: "Or more fun."
Me: I will end you.
Keifer sat across from me at the table.
I tried not to look at him.
Tried not to notice he still fidgeted with his pen the same way.
Tried not to remember that once, I kissed the corner of his mouth between solving math problems.
He barely spoke.
Except once.
When Fatima laughed too hard at something and I rolled my eyes,
Keifer whispered, "Still dramatic, huh?"
I didn't look at him.
Didn't answer.
But my heart said, I missed this.
And I hated it.
Chapter 27
The Rooftop.
It was 1:43 AM.
I couldn't sleep.
Again.
The dream was worse this time — he was leaving.
Walking away down that school hallway.
I tried to scream but couldn't.
So I got up.
Went to the rooftop, hoodie over my head, headphones in, trying to breathe.
And then—
His voice.
"You still come here to think?"
I turned.
He was standing by the railing, hair messy, barefoot like always.
Like before.
I froze.
He didn't come closer.
Just leaned on the edge, looking out at the sky.
"I didn't think you'd still come here," he said.
"I didn't think you remembered I did," I muttered.
Silence.
Then—
"You really forgot me that easily?"
His voice was too soft. Too real.
I swallowed.
"I tried."
He looked down.
"So did I."
End of Chapter 27.