(Michelle Lui's POV)
I woke up earlier than my alarm.
Not because I planned to.
Not because I felt productive.
My mind had simply refused to surrender to sleep — as if some quiet part of me was still stranded on snowy slopes and soft lamplight, unwilling to admit the world had already shifted back to normal.
The trip clung to my skin like an afterglow.
Soft laughter.
Vivid colours.
Cold air burning my lungs.
Warm cocoa on my tongue.
But one memory hummed louder than the rest.
One hand.
One subtle smile.
One heartbeat that lingered just long enough to blur the line between coincidence and meaning.
I buried my face in my pillow.
Stop it. Michelle.
Get it together.
But today was Tuesday.
The first day back at University A.
Which meant:
Physics.
Physics lab.
Steven.
Lara.
Anthony.
Jasmine.
The full emotional earthquake council in one overpriced academic building.
A soft groan escaped my throat as I dragged myself upright and shuffled toward my vanity.
