Spring Break Week
Day 7 of 7

"So … what happens now?" she asked, unable to think of anything else to say. Everything just happened so fast, and she didn't even know what to do about … any of this.

But he only slipped a letter into her palms and leaned in, bending forward to capture her lips in a searing kiss that left Pique and Lilie screaming with envy from their positions behind the nearest palm tree.

When he whispered his words against her lips, she shivered despite the warm sunshine. "If you're up for it, we can make it work."

"… I'm definitely up for it!"

Ahiru stared down fondly at the folded piece of notebook paper in her hands. Fakir's handwriting was surprisingly neat and elegant, and the words he'd written sang to her.

She didn't expect him to be so eloquent with his writing, and blushed at the thought of him sharing a piece of himself with her like this.

"I didn't expect to leave my heart behind on spring break. Take care of it."

She missed him already.

He met her on the beach that morning, just before heading to the hotel to pack his things. They exchanged numbers, addresses, skypes, and promises, and then he left.

What a crazy week.

As Lilie and Pique grabbed her arms and bounced up and down, she could no longer help it—she squealed in giddy exhilaration.

Fakir sat in the backseat, staring out the window as the palm trees zoomed past.

"Well, you sure had a good spring break!" he heard Mytho tease from the driver's seat.

Rue simpered. "She was rather sweet—I'm surprised you caught her eye, Fakir."

Fakir didn't respond.

"Fakir?" Mytho sounded concerned now. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine."

More than fine, actually. Almost imperceptibly, the corners of his lips curled upwards, the last of the sea disappearing over the horizon glittering like her eyes.

Months later …

She smiled brightly at the text. "Happy birthday, idiot," it said, and she immediately tapped the reply button.

"Jerk! Hehe, thank you! 3 Are we still on for that Skype date tonight?"

"About that. Sorry, I have to bail on that for tonight."

Her heart plummeted. "Whaaaaat? :( I guess you must be really busy. Are exams really bad right now?" That was the only reason why Fakir couldn't possibly make time for her, especially today of all days.

Long distance was hard.

He didn't reply for a while—enough for her to grow rather antsy for his answer. She didn't mean to make him feel guilty or anything. He was close to graduating. Now was the time to focus more than ever.

When her phone finally buzzed, she scrambled to read it. "Not exams. I made some plans, unfortunately. I forgot about the skype date entirely."

Her bottom lip trembled. That was … unlike him.

Then her phone buzzed again.

"Can you come down? I don't think I'm allowed up there."

The squeals from the hallways outside, the girls chatting incessantly about some really tall, dark, and handsome guy standing around in the main lobby, reached her ears, and it took a long moment before she could put the pieces together.

She dropped her phone (forgetting that she was still in her flannel duck pajamas) and sprinted out of the dorm room to meet him.