Chapter 3 - Campus Sweethearts

Three years ago, Sebastian Vaughn knew exactly what happiness looked like. It looked like Alessia Leonora walking across the university hallway with sunlight hitting her hair. She's late again, she was always late.

Sebastian stood beneath the shade of a large acacia tree, one hand inside his pocket while the other held two iced coffees in plastic bag slowly melting beneath the afternoon heat. Around him, students filled the campus with endless noise and laughter.

But somehow, his eyes only searched for her. Then he saw her. And there she was. A beautiful young lady who caught his breath five years ago.

“Basty!”

Alessia nearly slipped while rushing down the pathway, laughing at herself before finally stopping in front of him. Her cheeks were flushed pink from running, strands of dark hair sticking messily against her face.

“Love! I missed you, why are you late again?” Sebastian said calmly yet you can hear the excitement in his voice. “You still waited.” She said and laugh. She hugged her and kiss his cheeks. “You have my coffee order memorized,” she pointed out proudly.

Sebastian handed her the drink with a small sigh. “You literally texted me six times to remind me.”

“Because last time you got the wrong one.”

“But it's stil delicious... right? ”

“Yep!”

Alessia grinned brightly before taking a sip. And just like that, Sebastian smiled too. The kind of smile Clara had only seen inside old photographs. Back then, loving Alessia felt easy.

Like something Sebastian never needed to think about. The campus buzzed softly around them while they walked side by side beneath the trees. Alessia talked endlessly about everything and nothing at all. A professor she hated. A cat she found near the library. A book that made her cry at three in the morning.

Sebastian listened quietly to every word. Not because he had to. Because he wanted to.

“You’re not listening.”

“I am, lovey.”

“What did I just say?”

“You said your literature professor looks like a divorced owl, love.” Alessia gasped dramatically. “See? Soulmates.” She said and laughed. Sebastian shook his head, but the laughter in his eyes remained. She always did that to him. She turned him into something softer, warmer, and became a man.

Most people on campus found Sebastian intimidating. He came from an influential family. Too composed for someone his age. But Alessia never treated him carefully. She teased him constantly. Stole food from his plate. Dragged him into crowded places he hated. And somehow... Sebastian loved her more for it.

That afternoon, they skipped their last class and ended up sitting on the rooftop of the arts building. Alessia claimed sunsets looked prettier from there and she was right.

Orange light painted the sky softly while the city stretched endlessly beyond the university walls. Wind brushed gently against them, carrying the distant sounds of traffic below.

Alessia leaned back against the concrete floor, staring upward. “Do you think we’ll stay like this forever?” Sebastian looked at her. “What do you mean, love?”

“This.” She smiled faintly. “Us.” The question sounded light. But something vulnerable hid beneath it. Sebastian moved closer until their shoulders touched. “Yes, of course.” No hesitation at all. Just a straight forward asnwer.

Alessia turned her head toward him slowly. “You answered too fast.”

“Because I’m sure of it.” Her expression softened instantly. And for a brief moment, she looked like someone trying very hard not to cry. Sebastian noticed immediately. He always noticed.

“What’s wrong, love?”

“Nothing.”

“That’s a lie, I know you so well, love.”

Alessia laughed quietly, though it sounded fragile around the edges. “You know me too well. Right!” Sebastian reached for her hand without thinking. Their fingers intertwined naturally. Like they belonged there. “You can tell me anything,” he said softly.

Alessia stared at their hands for a long moment. Then she whispered, “Promise me something first.” Sebastian frowned slightly. “What?”

“If one day things become difficult…” She swallowed carefully. “Promise me you won’t hate me.” The words felt strangely heavy against the soft evening air. Sebastian’s expression tightened immediately. “Why would I hate you?” Alessia only smiled sadly.

“You never know.”

Sebastian turned fully toward her now. “Love.” She finally looked at him. Sebastian had never loved anyone the way he loved her in that moment. Not for her beauty. Not for the excitement she brought into his life.nBut because beneath all her laughter… Alessia carried loneliness so quietly it almost broke him.

Sebastian lifted their intertwined hands gently against his chest. “I could never hate you.” The sunset reflected softly in Alessia’s eyes. And slowly... She smiled again. This time, it looked real. Then she leaned forward and rested her forehead lightly against his shoulder.

The wind moved softly around them. The city glowed beneath the fading sky. And somewhere between youth and forever... Two people fell in love without realizing how temporary happiness could be.

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