Luca's phone buzzed halfway through his Operations Management exam.
He ignored it, focused on the question about inventory optimization models. Finished the last problem, checked his work twice, turned in his packet at the two-hour mark.
Outside, he checked his phone.
Noel: If you're done and heading home, we need groceries. List attached.
The attached photo showed Noel's careful handwriting: Milk, eggs, bread, coffee (the good kind), chicken breast, vegetables (whatever looks fresh), cat food, paper towels.
Luca typed back: Got it. Heading there now.
The response came immediately: Don't go overboard.
Luca smiled. Noel knew him too well.
He cut across campus toward the main street, mind still half on the exam.
The inventory questions had been trickier than expected, but he'd worked through them methodically. Probably fine.
"Luca!"
He turned. Someone was waving from near the dining hall—tall, dark hair, familiar grin.
Nico.
