Their plates were nearly empty now, crumbs and leftovers forgotten as conversation wandered toward the inevitable: tomorrow's exam… and what came after.
George leaned back in his chair, balancing his cup between two fingers. "I can't wait for this exam to be over, honestly."
Emily wiped her mouth with a napkin, then nodded. "At least we're getting two weeks break after. We deserve it."
"Big facts." George's voice warmed. "I'm heading back to my hometown. I already told my mom to cook everything I've been craving."
Emily smiled. "Home-cooked food hits different."
She glanced across the table. "What about you, Noel?"
The question came so casually. No edge, no pressure. But it sat in the air a beat too long.
Noel hesitated.
His fingers fiddled with the corner of his tray. His eyes didn't meet anyone's for a second. Then, with a small breath, he nodded. "Yeah. I'm going back home too."
A pause.
Nothing dramatic, nothing loud.
But Luca blinked.
