The sunlight was bright and glaring, the sky a clear, cloudless blue. It was a warm, sunny day. The soft golden light filtered through the windows and fell across the clean white pages.
After breakfast, they returned to the residence hall. Once Evelyn had fastened the collar around Noah's neck, she sat on the edge of the bed and opened her book. Noah still had to tackle his weekend homework for every class.
After reading for a while her eyes began to sting. Evelyn looked up at Noah, who was still suffering in front of the computer. "Why don't you take a break? You've been staring at that screen all morning."
"Almost done." Noah typed out the final paragraph at high speed, then slumped back like a wilted vegetable.
"Come here." Evelyn beckoned him over. "Lie down. Rest your head on sister's lap."
He obeyed without hesitation, laying his head on Evelyn's soft, slender thighs. His tired, aching eyes closed as he finally relaxed.
"It suits you so well," she murmured, fingers brushing the collar at his neck. "Just like sister's little pet."
"Is that really how you've always seen me?"
"Nate, you're sister's most obedient little brother, my proudest student, my cutest pet, and my best lover."
"Then why are you always so mean to me?"
"Sister only gets strict when Nate doesn't listen."
Noah knew arguing in this area was pointless. He could never win against Evelyn anyway, and she really had taken care of him his entire life—sometimes to the point of spoiling him.
He shifted closer and changed the subject. "It's Christmas today. Don't you want to go out, sis?"
"There's nothing worth seeing out there. It's too noisy, and you're still wearing the collar. Would you really dare let other people see you?"
"Then can I take it off for a little while? I saw some girls outside building a snowman earlier. I wanted to go watch."
"Go watch other girls? Are they prettier than sister?"
"I'm watching the snowman. There's no one on campus prettier than you anyway."
"Still not allowed. We agreed on a full day."
"Fine…" Noah rolled over, now lying on his back. His view was immediately blocked by the full, proud curve of Evelyn's chest. "What about tonight? Can I go out then? My roommates have plans."
"What kind of plans? Sister will consider it."
"One of my roommates wants to confess. We're helping him prepare."
Caleb had texted him early that morning. Christmas was a good day for confessions, especially on a snowy winter night. Unfortunately it was Miles going after Maya again—another moth flying straight into the flame.
Even though they had all told Miles not to keep simping, they would still help him wholeheartedly when the time came. Before Noah and Lila had broken up, he used to help create opportunities for Miles all the time, even though it had never once worked.
This time they agreed Noah didn't need to distract Lila. He just had to show up, give some advice, and cheer Miles on.
"Hmm…" Evelyn was still hesitating, not giving a clear answer. Noah added, "If you're worried, you can come with me."
"Alright. Sister approves."
"Heh, thanks sis." Noah rolled over again, now facing her flat stomach. "Oh right, what was the Christmas gift Grace gave you?"
"An extremely expensive fountain pen. What about you?"
"'Graduate Entrance Exam Math Real Questions Analysis.'" Noah's voice carried a hint of bitterness.
"Hmm, that's a good thing. You'll need it sooner or later, Nate."
"Shouldn't we get Grace a return gift?"
Evelyn gently ruffled his soft, messy hair, her tone warm and graceful. "Sister already gave her one last night at the clothing store, including your share."
"Then should I get you a Christmas gift too?"
"You are the gift sister wants most, little dummy."
…
Somehow Miles and the others had found out exactly where Maya and Lila were taking their walk. Noah followed his roommates, hiding in the dark shadows behind some bushes, peering out to watch the girls.
Evelyn was strolling along the nearby street and didn't join their pointless activity. After all, no matter how young she looked, she was still a professor. Getting involved would have been strange. As long as they didn't lead Noah astray, she had no interest in interacting with those three boys.
"Is Miles ready?" someone whispered in the darkness.
"A little nervous," came a deeper voice.
"What's there to be nervous about? You've already been rejected so many times."
Caleb patted Noah's shoulder and asked quietly, "Nate, do you think Miles has a chance this time?"
"I hope he succeeds once. At least so the flowers don't get thrown away."
"Same. By the way, what's that thing around your neck?"
"It's… nothing. Don't worry about it." Noah quickly changed the subject to stop them from focusing on the collar. "How many times has this been for Miles?"
"Eleventh, I think," Ryan answered. He watched the two girls getting closer and nudged Miles. "Go for it, man."
Miles took a deep breath, stepped out of the trees, and walked toward the slender figure under the streetlight while the guys watched. This time no one distracted Lila. He went straight up to Maya and presented her with the vibrant bouquet of red roses.
The moment Miles dropped to one knee, Lila's gaze instinctively swept the surroundings, searching for Noah. But the darkness behind the bushes hid him completely. Even after Maya took Lila's hand and stormed off angrily, she still hadn't spotted him.
The guys in the bushes watched Maya turn and leave. They all sighed. Even though they had expected it, they had still held onto a little hope. Seeing the result in front of them was still disappointing.
"At least she didn't throw the flowers away," Noah said, stepping out and patting Miles on the shoulder to comfort him.
"Come on, let's go get some late-night food. Don't get depressed."
"I'm not that heartbroken." Miles gave a bitter smile and shook his head. "Let's go. Might as well eat."
"I'll pass." Noah took a few steps in the opposite direction. "My sister's still waiting for me. I need to go find her."
"Alright. See you tomorrow, Nate."
"Yeah, see you."
Noah turned and jogged back toward the street. Bright lights surrounded him. Under the streetlamp ahead stood a tall, slender woman with graceful curves, her beautiful long hair dancing in the night breeze.
He quickened his pace and ran over. "Sis, it's over. Let's head back."
"How did your good roommate do? Did he succeed?"
"No. Rejected again. But that's normal—he's been turned down more than ten times now."
"Then let sister succeed for once?" Evelyn brought her hand out from behind her back and presented a large, gorgeous bouquet of fresh red roses to Noah. "Be sister's boyfriend, okay?"
There were two situations where Noah found it impossible to refuse or resist Evelyn: when she was angry, and when she was acting spoiled.
"I guess I can't say no."
"Good boy. Merry Christmas, my… little boyfriend."