𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘨𝘦 ᢉ𐭩

It was quiet in the back corner of the library, the warm scent of books and highlighter ink lingering in the air. The overhead lights buzzed softly as you and Silas sat cross-legged on the carpet, your laptops open in front of you, untouched coffees slowly going cold beside them.

“I think mine just came through,” you said quietly, eyes wide as you stared at your inbox.

Silas leaned in, his knees bumping into yours. “Which one?”

You clicked the email, heart pounding. His hand settled gently over your knee.

A few seconds of scrolling, a few seconds of silence… then—

“I got in,” you breathed, eyes flying back up to him. “Holy crap, I actually got in.”

Silas smiled instantly — soft, proud, the kind of smile that made your chest ache. “I told you. You’re kinda amazing, remember?”

You bumped his shoulder, laughing nervously. “Okay, your turn.”

He pulled up his own inbox. You watched as his fingers hesitated over the trackpad.

“What if I don’t get in?” he asked, but not really like he wanted an answer.

You rested your chin on his shoulder. “Then you’ll get into the one that’s meant for you.”

He clicked.

Silas’s face stayed still for a second, unreadable. You leaned in a little more, until he finally exhaled.

“Okay. That’s one,” he murmured. “Got into Bayridge.”

“That’s the arts school, right?”

He nodded. “And…,” he clicked again, slower this time. “Oh. Got into Ridgepoint too.”

“That’s two,” you whispered. Your heart started beating faster. “Check the last one.”

The one you were both waiting on. The one you applied to together, late at night on his bedroom floor with empty snack bags and music playing low from his speaker.

He stared at the screen. You could almost hear the tension in his shoulders.

Click.

Then… a pause.

You looked up at him, holding your breath.

He turned the screen so you could see.

“Congratulations — Welcome to Windmere University.”