Those words landed heavier than expected.
Michael's grip tightened slightly around his phone.
"I'm sorry about the delay," he said quickly.
"There was—"
"It has already been noted," the man interrupted, not harshly, but without room for excuses.
Michael went quiet.
The man's expression didn't change.
"Come," he said. "We're heading to the university."
The car ride was quiet at first.
The city stretched wide around them—tall buildings, fast roads, unfamiliar signs flashing past the window. Everything felt bigger than what Michael was used to.
Faster too.
Like the world here didn't wait for anyone to catch up.
The man spoke occasionally—pointing out locations, explaining the structure of the school, mentioning schedules and expectations.
Michael listened carefully.
Every word mattered.
Michael glanced down.
Lucas.
"So… did America accept you or send you back?"
A small smile broke through despite everything.
He typed quickly.
"I'm on my way to the university."
Almost instantly—
"Wow. Mr. Responsible"
" I'm proud but also slightly bored"
Michael shook his head faintly.
"You will survive"
Michael looked out the window again.
"Later"
"You've changed already"
That made him smile properly this time.
"Everything alright?" the man asked, glancing at him briefly.
Michael locked his phone.
"Yes, sir."
The university was… overwhelming.
That was the only word that fit.
Students moved with purpose, conversations flowed quickly, buildings stood tall like they had been there forever—watching, judging, expecting.
Michael stepped out of the car slowly, taking it all in.
"This is where your program begins," the man said.
Michael nodded.
No turning back now.
The first few days passed quickly.
Too quickly.
Lectures. Introductions. Materials. Assignments.
Everything came at him at once.
But one thing stayed constant.
Lucas.
Every two hours—like a quiet promise they didn't even have to say out loud—they checked in.
Sometimes short.
Sometimes longer.
"Have you eaten?" Lucas asked one afternoon.
"I'm about to."
"Good. Don't start starving yourself in the name of law."
Michael huffed slightly.
"I won't."
"Because if you faint in class, I'm not flying there to carry you."
"You would."
Lucas paused.
"…Okay, I would."
It was small.
Simple.
But it held everything together
Then—
Reality settled in.
Law wasn't just difficult.
It was demanding.
Michael sat in class, staring at pages filled with cases, arguments, terms that felt like they had their own language.
People around him asked questions confidently.
Answered quickly.
Understood things faster than he could process them.
That was when the thought crept in.
I'm behind.
He stayed up longer.
Read more.
Pushed harder.
But the more he tried—
The heavier it felt.
"Why are your messages suddenly looking like emails?" Lucas asked one evening.
Michael paused.
"What do you mean?"
"Short. Straight. No personality. Very boring."
Michael exhaled slightly.
"I'm just busy."
Lucas didn't respond immediately.
Then—
"Talk to me."
Michael stared at the screen.
His fingers hovered over the keyboard.
Then—
"It's nothing."
Lucas wasn't convinced.
"Michael," he said when they called later, voice softer now, "you don't just become 'nothing' overnight."
Silence.
"Did something happen?" Lucas asked.
"No."
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine."
Lucas sighed lightly.
"You're doing it again."
Michael frowned slightly.
"Doing what?"
"Shutting me out."
That hit.
"I'm not," Michael said, but it didn't sound as strong as he wanted.
Lucas didn't argue.
He just waited.
And somehow—
That made it harder.
Michael ran a hand through his hair, pacing slowly.
"…It's harder than I thought," he admitted finally.
Lucas stayed quiet.
Encouraging him without interrupting.
"I don't think I'll pass here," Michael said, the words coming out lower than expected. "Everyone seems ahead. Like they already understand everything."
He let out a breath.
"And I'm just… trying to keep up."
Silence.
Then—
Lucas spoke.
Calm.
Steady.
"You're not failing," he said.
Michael frowned slightly.
"You don't know that."
"I do," Lucas replied. "Because I know you."
Michael didn't respond.
"You've never been the type to give up halfway," Lucas continued. "So don't start now."
A small pause.
Then softer—
"You don't have to figure everything out immediately. Just don't stop trying."
Michael leaned back against the wall.
Letting the words settle.
"I'm here," Lucas added quietly. "Even if it's just through a phone."
Michael's expression softened.
"…I know."
It didn't change overnight.
But it changed.
Michael adjusted.
Studied differently.
Asked questions.
Pushed through confusion instead of avoiding it.
Little by little—
Things started making sense.
Not perfect.
But better.
And every step forward—
Felt earned.
Later that night, their call was lighter again.
Lucas joked.
Michael responded.
It wasn't forced anymore.
"You see?" Lucas said proudly. "All you needed was my expert motivational speech."
Michael scoffed.
"Please."
"I'm serious. I might start charging you."
"With what qualification?"
"With being your boyfriend," Lucas replied smoothly.
Michael froze for half a second.
Then shook his head, a small smile forming.
"You're unbelievable."
"And you love me."
Michael didn't deny it.
After the call ended, Lucas remained still on his bed.
The room was quiet.
Too quiet.
He stared at his phone for a moment longer.
Then placed it beside him.
Exhaling slowly.
For a brief moment
Everything felt okay again.
Then—
Lucas frowned slightly and picked up his phone.
A new message.
"General manager"
He opened it.
"Mr. Lucas, there is a situation with one of your mother's companies that requires your immediate attention."
The softness in his expression disappeared.
His fingers tightened slightly around the phone.
Another message followed immediately.
"It's urgent."
Lucas sat up slowly.
The weight of everything returning all at once.
Not just love.
Not just distance.
Responsibility.
And suddenly—
The life he thought he had time to grow into…
Was already calling him forward.