And for the first time in weeks, the storm inside her quieted.
Emma leaned against the bus window, watching the world blur past—sun-kissed hills giving way to quiet stone-paved streets and flower-laced balconies. The city below the campus was alive with energy. Cafés spilled into the streets with checkered tables, laughter rose from open windows, and soft music carried on the breeze. A place suspended in time, breathing romance into every cobblestone.
Their taxi wound through narrow lanes that sloped gently upward, the city peeling away behind them as they climbed toward the campus nestled high in the hills. Jake sat beside her, arms loosely folded, his side brushing against hers every time the car swayed. He wasn't speaking—but the silence between them felt different now. Calmer. Safer.
When the taxi stopped, Emma's breath caught.
The campus unfolded before them like a dream. Ivy-coated buildings with arching windows, green courtyards brimming with life, and pathways dappled in golden light that filtered through centuries-old trees. Students bustled through the gates with excited chatter, carrying luggage and laughter. Banners welcoming the selected candidates waved in the breeze above their heads. It was beautiful. Almost too beautiful.
Emma stepped out, her shoes clicking softly against the stone, and turned toward Jake with a soft, stunned smile. "It's like something out of a storybook."
Jake nodded, looking ahead, but she caught the flicker of pride in his eyes. "They call it the 'Academy of Dreams.' Guess this is where ours start."
Emma's heart fluttered.
As they made their way toward the welcome hall, the warm scent of jasmine mixed with distant music. Suddenly—
"Jake Rolister?!" a familiar male voice echoed from ahead.
Jake turned. A tall, broad-shouldered boy in a navy windbreaker rushed forward, grinning from ear to ear. Behind him, a lankier boy with glasses waved sheepishly, and a short-haired girl with olive skin and a clipboard jogged to catch up.
"Caleb, Ryan, and Noora," Jake said, smirking in disbelief. "You're all here?"
"You really thought we'd miss the national training session?" Caleb laughed, pulling Jake into a brief, aggressive hug. "Come on, genius."
Noora narrowed her eyes teasingly. "You disappeared on us after high school. Guess the mystery man makes a comeback."
Then Jake's hand shifted—resting lightly at the small of Emma's back.
"This is Emma," he said, voice steadier than usual. "She's my… friend. We're here together."
Emma tried not to flinch at the word. Friend. She smiled anyway, bowing her head slightly. "Hi."
Noora's curious gaze flicked between them. Caleb raised an eyebrow. Ryan gave a quiet, nerdy grin and nodded in greeting.
They chatted for a while, laughter mixing with old memories, and Emma stood quietly beside Jake, stealing glances at him—at how animated his face became around them, how the ice he wore like armor melted in their presence. She could feel it: this was his past. The people who had seen him long before she had.
Eventually, the welcome ceremony began in the auditorium. Rows of students from different campuses filled the space. A spotlight beamed as the speaker began listing names of exceptional students.
"And from the Southern Campus—Jake Rolister. Top of his class, full scholarship recipient, and one of the brightest minds of his year."
Applause roared. Emma clapped, watching Jake duck his head in discomfort, but she caught it—the smallest flicker of a smile.
Her heart swelled. He deserved this. All of it.
After the event, the students were split into groups for dormitory assignments. Jake and the boys were assigned to Dorm C-4. Emma, to her surprise, was roomed with Noora in Dorm F-2.
They stood at the dividing path, where the male and female dormitories branched.
Jake adjusted the strap on Emma's suitcase, silently taking it from her hand. "I'll carry it."
"I can—"
"You'll drag it down the stairs and dent it. Or trip. Let's not risk it." His voice was calm, dry. But Emma noticed Caleb nudge Ryan and mouth something like, 'Look at him.'
Noora smirked. "Didn't know Jake had a soft side."
Emma tried to hide her flush as Jake carried her suitcase all the way to the door of Dorm F-2.
After he left, Noora flopped onto one of the twin beds, already kicking off her shoes. "Okay. I need tea, a foot massage, and an explanation."
Emma blinked. "Explanation?"
"You and Jake. He's never—" Noora pointed a finger in the air dramatically. "—ever cared about anyone like that. Back in high school, he had girls lined up. You know what he did? Ignored every single one of them. Ice prince. Genius. Untouchable. And now? He carries your suitcase like it's a diamond box."
Emma sat on the bed, heart racing. "We're not… I confessed. Once. He didn't feel the same."
Noora sat up. "He said that?"
Emma nodded, looking away, her fingers twisting into the hem of her sweater.
But Noora only smiled thoughtfully. "Then I don't think he realized what he felt back then."
They fell into easy conversation as they unpacked. Noora recounted how Jake had been the loner of their class, barely speaking to anyone, how he always sat under the same tree reading worn books, how it took Caleb months to befriend him by tutoring him in chemistry. How Jake once punched a senior for mocking Ryan's stutter.
Emma smiled at every story, piecing together a boy she hadn't fully known. The pieces fit.
As night descended, a cool breeze swept through the dorm. Emma had just finished brushing her hair when a sudden knock startled them.
"Did someone forget their key?" Noora asked, walking to the balcony.
Emma followed, peering past the curtain.
And froze.
There, standing on the fire escape outside their third-floor balcony, arms crossed with a mischievous smile, was Jake—Caleb and Ryan behind him, barely holding in their laughter.
"Evening, ladies," Jake said.
Emma's mouth dropped open. "You climbed the fire escape?!"
Jake shrugged. "You didn't think I'd let the first night go by without checking in, did you?"
And as the girls opened the balcony door, wind tugging at their hair, and laughter tumbling into the night air—
Emma realized something.
Maybe this wasn't just training.
Maybe this was where something real would begin.
End of Part 15