#Chapter 92: The Decision

Celeste

The leaves painted the town in hues of amber and gold, casting a warm glow over the familiar streets of campus I had walked down a thousand times before. The crisp air held a promise of change and I had a feeling that I knew what that change was.

As I strolled through the park, hands tucked into her hoodie pockets, I couldn't help but steal glances at the person beside me. Alyx, with his easy smile and sparkling eyes, had been a constant presence in my life for the past three months.

We did everything together—coffee dates, movie nights, and long walks through campus when we both had free periods. Of course, Fiona had been at the movie nights, too. Jack would have never let me go if it had just been Alyx.

I marveled at how Alyx had turned out to be such a sweet, dependable friend. He hadn’t made another move since the kiss in the stairwell. I felt like I could count on him for anything, from a shoulder to lean on to a listening ear in the late hours of the night. Usually after