Self

Chapter 12

“No way.” Kandra shook her head, her cheeks turning pink as she tiptoed 1 wanna hang out with you a bit more

Before she could get any closer, Yale flipped the script, wrapping an

arm around her slim waist and planting a kiss on her that was

nothing short of epic

The crowd around them erupted into cheers

“Dude! That’s a total boss move!”

“Wow, talk about being head over heels!”

Yara caught the whole thing, her fingers gripping her book so hard they turned white.

Her heart still ached, but her face was eerily calm, almost numb.

She figured she would get used to it.

An end to a six–year relationship was bound to come with some withdrawal symptoms.

Yara did not stick around, turning on her heel to leave–she had books

to hit.

In the midst of the crowd, Yale felt something and glanced back.

A silhouette he kind of recognized zipped out of sight.

Then, Xandra’s soft hand found his, their fingers lacing together in a cozy fit.

Xandra looked into Yale’s eyes. “What are you looking at?”

Yale looked away. “Nothing.”

He walked her to the dorm steps. Then, he was ready to leave.

Xandra clung to his hand, her eyes begging him to stay.

“Isn’t it still early? Can’t you stick around just a little longer?”

Yale ruffled her hair. “Chill, I’ll swing by this weekend to pick you up.”

Under the streetlamp, his silhouette was a dark contrast, his features sharp and striking in light and shadow.

Xandra’s gaze danced with an innocent yet captivating charm as she asked, “Yale, may I come home with you today?”

The subtext of her question was clear to any adult.

Yale paused for a moment, his eyes betraying a swirl of emotions.

“You’re still young. Let’s wait a little longer.”

Xandra blinked, taken aback, yet a secret wave of joy washed over her.

His reluctance to take things further showed he valued her for more than just a fleeting pleasure; he was in it for the long haul.

“Okay, I’ve got to run. I’ve got stuff to do.”

Yale checked his watch with a quick glance.

Xandra nodded. “Sure, just make sure you get some rest. I’ll bring your some mushroom soup tomorrow.”

He did not reply, his mind seemingly drifting off once more.

In Yara’s room, the computer screen glowed as her typing gradually slowed. The memory of a kiss lingered, prompting her to bite her lip.

She stood and went to the bathroom, splashing her face with cold. water three times before her thoughts cleared.

There was no use dwelling on a past she had left behind.

Her priority was studying for exams, and time was running short.

Back at her desk, Yara opened two books from Professor Olson.

One was a Bioinformatics Program textbook. The other was a collection of notes peppered with Wendy’s comments.

There was also a USB drive with her unfinished thesis from undergrad, which was meant for her grad school application, but that never happened.

She had once lived in the lab for days, forgoing sleep and meals, dedicating half a year to data collection and painstakingly perfecting

her research.

Even though she had abandoned the pursuit of a master’s and Ph.D. to care for Yale at home, Yara had never truly let go of her work.

For years, Yara had only focused on two things–being an unofficial, unpaid helper for Yale and polishing her thesis to perfection.

The thesis started as just an undergrad project given by Professor Olson, but Yara pulled the rest from her computer and pieced together a complete, coherent work.

It felt like her confused past, and her enlightened future had finally come together, making her whole for the first time.

As she worked through the night until the first light of dawn, Yara reviewed her final draft and, feeling bold, sent it off to Science–one of the world’s most prestigious scientific journals.

Considering the fierce competition from scholars worldwide, she was not sure her paper would make the cut, but it was worth a shot.

Before the morning sun peeked over the horizon, Yara powered down her computer and squeezed in a few hours of sleep.

At eight sharp, she was up, freshened up, had breakfast, and grabbed her study notes before heading to the library.

She did not expect to run into Wade, who had just returned, in the drizzling rain, his umbrella dripping..

“Morning, you didn’t just pull an all–nighter, did you?”

Wade grunted a yes, saying he was rushing to get some lab data.

“Take this,” Yara said, offering him a steaming cup of milk. It’ll help you warm up.”

“Thanks.”

“Don’t forget to change after getting wet,” she said, nodding at his damp shoulder.

Wade glanced at it, just noticing the wet patch.

‘Alright, I’m off,” Yara said with a smile, heading down the stairs.

The library was bustling even before nine. She was about to enter when a voice she knew all too well called out to her.

“Yara?”

Charlotte had swung by the school to chat with the school officials about her upcoming grad school exams.

As luck would have it, just as she was strolling past the library, the skies opened up, and she found herself stuck under the eaves–not expecting to bump into anyone she knew.

“Why are you hanging out at the library? Picking up another side gig? You’re strapped for cash lately?

“Don’t sweat it. I’ve already talked to Yale and told him to loosen up his wallet. You should really drop these odd jobs. Looking after my brother should be your top priority. I heard his stomach was acting up again yesterday. You…”

“Charlotte, who are you chatting with?” Charlotte’s words were cut

Chap 12

short by an unexpected voice.

A tall, poised middle–aged woman was headed their way.

It was not until she got closer that Yara noticed she was decked out in Celestia’s latest spring couture, her face well–kept and wrinkle–free, and she was toting a rare Hermes Kelly bag.

Jean sidled up next to her daughter and caught sight of the person in question.

Oh? Was that her son’s second–rate girlfriend?

She gave Yara the once–over, her face twisting with even more

distaste.

Out and about in a tee and jeans, bare–faced, hair a mess–she was definitely not ready for important occasions.

Jean’s eyes flicked from the library to the two books in Yara’s grasp, her gaze growing more intense.

“Ms. Simmons, fancy running into you here.”

She laid on the word fancy with a heavy dose of sarcasm.

The message was clear–was Yara trying to win her over with that awkward run–in act?

“You’ve outdone yourself,” Jean said. “But there’s a saying that fits. perfectly–you can put lipstick on a cow, but it’s still a cow.

“Save these little performances for someone else I’m not buying it. Look–I’ll just lay it out for you since we’ve bumped into each other today.

“Yale will never marry you. But you’ve looked after him for years, and that’s got to count for something. So when he ties the knot, we’ll ensure there’s a spot for you somewhere in the background.

“And that’s all you should expect. Stay in your lane, and you’ll be fine.

Chap 12

Got it?”