Self

Chapter 71

Yara grabbed the paper bag and headed off to Bellmere University together.

They wandered around the campus, chatting about everything under the sun.

Yara was impressed; Shane could hold his own no matter the topic. He spoke calmly, and his vibe was chill and scholarly, Hanging out with him was surprisingly easy- going.

They had been roaming for a while when they walked past this old stone wall.

Yara glanced over, and–bam–there was Wade, just out of class and on his way to the lab. He looked up, and their eyes locked. Yara’s eyes had a sparkle in them.

He paused, a bit thrown off, then spotted Shane with her.

“Talk about timing. Just got out of class?” Yara broke the ice.

Wade gave a quick nod. “Off to the lab. What about you?”

“Just showing my buddy here around campus. Oh, this is Shane,” she said, then turned to Shane with a smile. “And this is Wade.”

The air practically crackled as their eyes met. Shane gave this almost invisible smirk. and reached out his hand. “Professor Shelton, your reputation precedes you.”

Wade took his hand. “Good to meet you.

The Sheltons and the Shields were like the royalty of Capitolium, both prominent families. Sure, Shane and Wade had heard about each other, but that was their first face–off.

Yara was clueless about the silent standoff, wondering why their handshake seemed to last forever.

Wade shot Shane another look and was the first to pull away. “I’ve got to get to the lab.”

Yara watched him go. Shane turned to her, a thoughtful look on his face. “You guys close or something?”

Yara was not in the mood to get into it. “We’re cool,” she said, and that was that.

Shane did not push it.

Later that night, Yara’s phone pinged with a new message from Shane.

[Shane: Thanks Tor hanging out with me on campus today.]

Yara texted back with a smile. [Yara: No biggie, don’t mention it.]

She powered down her phone, chucked it onto her bedside table, and flopped onto her bed.

The pillow was soft, still carrying soop’s fresh, sun–dried scent. It was warm and oh–so-

-cozy.

Before she knew it, she was out like a light.

With no more cram sessions, Yara treated herself to a lazy morning. She finally got out of bed at eight to get dressed and step outside.

Her neighborhood might have been a bit worn around the edges, but it was alive with a unique kind of warmth. She hit the stairs, and immediately, the local ladies–one with a grocery basket, another walking her pooch–flashed her friendly grins,

Yara grinned right back at them,

She strolled out of the alley and onto the old street next door, where a breakfast joint sat on the corner. The milk there hit just the right note–not too sweet or heavy–and the bacon was the perfect kind of crispy.

She spotted Wade the moment she walked in, his back to her. With a playful twitch of her lips, she snuck up behind him, gave him a cheeky tap on the back, and then zipped around to plop across from him.

His face did not even twitch. Yara raised an eyebrow. “Aren’t you even a little surprised?”

“Ms. Simmons, this is round two.” Wade munched on his breakfast. “You pulled the same stunt last week. Plus, you’re barely quicker than Kurt.”

Yara’s eyes flicked to the big yellow dog, Kurt, tied up at the entrance and rolled her eyes.

She was about to make a comeback when the breakfast lady came over with a beam. “Back again, Sweetie? Same as usual?”

Yara nodded. “Eggs and bacon, please.”

The lady might have been up there in years but was sharp as a tack. She quickly served the eggs and bacon, along with Yara’s favorite side dish.

Yara’s smile was instant. “Thanks a bunch.”

The lady’s eyes twinkled. “Dig in before it cools down. It’s best served hot.”

The eggs were perfect, with a light, fluffy texture and a savory, hearty filling. The bacon, crisp and sizzling, added a smoky flavor. A hit of freshness came from a sprinkle of chopped green onions, making the scent irresistible.

She sneaked a peek at Wade, a creature of habit, always sticking to the same dishes. It was adorable but also a little boring. “Hey, next time, how about trying something new?”

Before he could even respond, Yara grabbed a clean bowl, took some eggs and bacon, and slid them over to him. “Give these a shot?”

Wade paused for a second, then took a bite and savored it thoughtfully.

Yara’s eyes sparkled with anticipation. “Well?”

He met her hopeful gaze and nodded. “They’re really good.”

Her smile lit up the room. “Told you! My picks never disappoint.”