I looked up at Kevin. I smiled wryly as I shook my head.


    "The hardship isn''t the issue. It''s just that so many things have left me feeling lost."


    Kevin gently patted my shoulder without pressing further. "That''s life. Unexpected turns are bound to happen. But what''s important is what we learn from them."


    I nodded in agreement.


    He smiled and raised his ss. "To the brave Evelyn, cheers!"


    "Cheers!"


    I raised my ss too. The sound of our sses clinking marked the start of something new.


    After dinner, we took a stroll around the campus.


    The night was soft. The streetlights cast a gentle glow that stretched our shadows as we walked side by side.


    "By the way, Kevin, I haven''t asked. Who''s your other partner for thepetition? From what you''ve said, they must be impressive."


    Kevin grinned mysteriously. "Take a guess."


    I raised an eyebrow and ran through the possibilities in my head. Then, a familiar name popped into my mind.


    "Could it be... Lianne?"


    Kevin looked surprised. "How did you know?"


    I grinned. "Women''s intuition."


    Lianne was the top student of our department. She wasn''t only academically brilliant but also had a unique perspective on design.


    And more importantly, she seemed to be the object of Kevin''s secret admiration.


    "Looks like you''ve really struck gold with thispetition." I teased Kevin.N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    His face turned bright red, and he stammered, "No, we''re just partners."


    "Right, and the sky''s green." I stifled augh.


    I decided to give him a little push. "Partnerships are a kind of fate too. I''m rooting for you both!"


    Kevin shylyughed and quickly changed the subject. "It''s gettingte. Let me take you back. We need to head to ss tomorrow." "Okay."


    Back at my ce, I copsed onto the bed and let out a long sigh.


    A new chapter with new challenges. I was ready for them.


    ...


    The next morning, Kevin and I made our way to the university. As we entered the design faculty, I saw a familiar figure walking toward us. "Evelyn, you''re back!" Lianne hurried over and gave me a big hug.


    I smiled and hugged her back. "Yes, I''m back. Thanks for everything while I was away."


    Lianne waved her hand dismissively. "No need to thank me. It''s what we are supposed to do. But how was it over there? Did you adjust well?"


    I nodded. "It was fine since it is my hometown. But some things... are moreplicated."


    Lianne understood what I meant and patted me on the shoulder. "If you need any help, just let me know. We''re friends after all." "Definitely."


    The three of us chatted andughed as we walked into the ssroom, drawing curious nces from our ssmates. "Hey, Evelyn is back!"


    Several ssmates came over to greet me. The atmosphere became lively in no time.


    I smiled and responded to each one, feeling a gush of warmth in my heart. It was nice to know that no matter where I went, there was a group of people who cared about me


    The morning sses soon ended, and the three of us went to the cafeteria for lunch.


    "By the way, I heard we have a new guest professor at the school. A big shot in the industry," Lianne said while helping herself to some food.


    "Really? What''s their background?" I asked curiously.


    Lianne smiled mysteriously. "A


    10


    regr at Mndo Fashion Week They have a unique design


    philosophy and are quite we w


    in the industry."


    "Wow, that''s impressive!" Kevin eximed.


    "Yeah, and I heard this professor is especially interested in students from our department, especially..." Lianne teased and trailed off.