ENTANGLED HEARTS

ced on shoulders, and bright eyes scanned for familiar faces. For most, the first day of

as she walked between the buildings. Her headphones blasted soft acoustic mu

e people in diff

down, focusing on t

a second skin. No matter w

ck of the lecture room. Her notebook was already open, her

he wa

is entrance like a scene straight out of a teen drama. Tousled dark hai

e. And he d

e looked down, smirked, and walked right past her

e always makes sure I s

d, Professor Albri

ced. "Choose wisely-or let fate decide. You'

, the professor had alr

-Ava Carter a

pau

heads

rather work alone," she said

and. "Same. No off

aken, bi

a brow. "Excellent. I look

chuckled.

er bag, fully prepared to avoid any interact

riendly?" Liam aske

ly run me over in hallway

ys glance. "It's a go

e mysterious. I'm try

ote

d in silenc

e of his phone. A photo. A girl. Smiling. Framed in golden light.

noticed h

was back.

ing you like

urprised you

heel and left bef

onger than he should have, stari

d. Ava Carter moved through it all like a ghost, unnoticed and unbothered. Her hoodie was pulled over her head, casting shado

came with the same old lies: It's a fresh start. You can be whoever you want to be. No one

ing eye contact like it was a competitive sport. She reached the entrance to the humanitie

om

t in life: distant, overlooked, safe. As students trickled in, most chatted like they'd known each

itten the date in the corner, like some sad attempt

course syllabus when

lifted o

here h

w on his hips. Hair tousled in that effortless, arrogant way. His smirk came

am

wn, every school, every late-night party she'd never been invited to. The kind of gu

room. Like rules were optional a

yes before he coul

thing it was that played w

stood at the front of the room. "This semester," she began, "your final p

led through the cla

Pleas

er and

omach d

was already looking at

to be kidding

"Oh, trust me, I'm n

ner will be your academic mirror. If one fails, bo

beside her with a dramatic sigh

k to me," s

lowered. "You're not exactly s

ngue. No use fe

and smoke. The scent annoyed