The next morning, the campus was bathed in soft golden light, buzzing with energy.
Melissa walked slowly through the courtyard, clutching her sketchbook close to her chest.
Her mind was a tangled mess of dreams, regrets, and unsaid words.
"LISA!"
A loud voice pulled her out of her daze.
She turned to see Ginny waving both hands, sprinting towards her.
Behind her, Dayne followed at a more normal pace, shaking his head in mock embarrassment.
"You forgot your phone in the dorm!" Ginny scolded, handing it over.
"Thanks," Melissa said, giving a small, grateful smile.
Dayne stood quietly beside them, hands stuffed in his pockets, rocking back and forth on his heels.
"So, um..." he scratched the back of his neck awkwardly. "I was wondering if you'd... maybe want to grab a coffee later? You know... to unwind. Chill. No pressure."
Melissa blinked at him, startled.
Before she could answer, a shadow fell over them.
"She's busy."
The voice was deep, confident... and painfully familiar.
Melissa turned stiffly to see Alec standing a few feet away, his hands casually tucked into his jacket pockets, a lazy smile playing on his lips.
Dayne frowned, stepping forward a little.
"I don't think she needs a spokesperson."
Alec shrugged, his eyes — those brown, inhuman eyes — fixed solely on Melissa.
"True," he said smoothly. "But considering we have music club practice later, thought I'd remind her before she made other plans."
Melissa clutched her sketchbook tighter, heart thundering.
Why was Alec suddenly interfering?
Ginny glanced between the boys, sensing the tension.
"Uhh... Lisa, why don't you decide?"
Both Dayne and Alec looked at her, waiting.
Melissa swallowed hard.
"I... I promised to finish some drawings before practice," she mumbled.
It was a lie, but it was the only escape she could find.
Dayne's face fell slightly, but he covered it with a smile.
"Next time, then," he said warmly.
Alec's smirk widened just a fraction.
Dayne gave Melissa a small nod and left, Ginny following after him with a worried glance back.
Now it was just Alec and Melissa, standing awkwardly in the middle of the courtyard.
For a few seconds, neither spoke.
Finally, Alec broke the silence.
"You still run away when you don't know what to say, huh?"
Melissa stiffened.
His words weren't cruel — they were soft, almost nostalgic.
"I don't have anything to say to you," she replied, voice barely above a whisper.
Alec shoved his hands deeper into his pockets.
"I was a jerk," he said. "Back then."
Melissa laughed — a bitter, hollow sound.
"Back then? As if it was centuries ago."
Alec looked at her seriously.
"It haunts me too, you know."
Melissa blinked, startled by the rare honesty in his voice.
"But... that's not my excuse. I was stupid, and selfish. And you... you didn't deserve what happened."
She stared at him, searching for some sign of manipulation, some trick.
But for once, Alec looked raw. Real.
"I don't expect you to forgive me," he added quickly. "I just... I just wanted you to know."
Melissa's throat tightened.
The words she wanted to say got stuck.
"People don't just... fix things by apologizing," she finally said, voice shaking.
"I know," Alec said simply.
The bell rang in the distance, snapping them out of their bubble.
Without another word, Alec turned and walked away, hands still deep in his pockets, shoulders slightly hunched.
Melissa watched him go, her heart twisted in painful knots.