Ninety Three

CHAPTER 93

Alicia tied a striped scarf around her neck. The wind in the late fall began to feel colder than other days. People started to change their clothes into warmer and thicker outfits. She turned around and picked up her gray backpack that she kept on the table.

The taxi she had booked through an online app arrived and Alicia got in. Alicia checked the ID card of the driver and he was a forty-five-year-old man.

"We're going to Golden University, right?"

And Alicia nodded her head. "Right."

After traveling for more than thirty minutes, the taxi carrying Alicia arrived at her campus.

"Thank you."

Alicia paid the bill and walked into the campus. From outside, the girl could immediately see gold and black balloons decorating the tall iron fence. People from the campus were celebrating their graduation. The more Alicia walked in, the more her blue eyes caught sight of people wearing their graduation robes and togas.

It wasn't until she reached the end of the street that she found the person she was looking for.

"Brittany!"

Brittany turned around. She waved and smiled happily when she discovered Alicia's presence on campus. Meanwhile, Alicia walked over to her.

They embraced as Alicia stood before Brittany.

"Oh my gosh, Alicia! Thank you for coming," Brittany said after they broke the hug. Alicia nodded in agreement. But Brittany's face was suddenly sad, she lowered her smile and continued, "I feel bad for going through this graduation moment alone."

Alicia rolled her eyes lazily, then pinched Brittany's cheek. "Don't be so shy! You know why I didn't continue my education." Alicia's blue eyes scanned Brittany up and down, her best friend's toga and black graduation robe making her look beautiful. "You're beautiful, anyway."

Brittany's face lit up again. She smiled. "Really? This is the best makeup I have."

"That's great!"

"I want to introduce you to Kevin, by the way."

Alicia sighed, crossed her arms over her chest and replied, "I had forgotten that Kevin was also on our campus."

"Well, one moment." Brittany's brown eyes scanned the surroundings. She squinted, searching every corner to find Kevin, the boyfriend Brittany had been telling her about lately. Finally, her search was successful. "There he is! Kevin!"

Brittany's voice sounded louder than the campus speakers when they were that close. Alicia frowned at her best friend's wild behavior. But in that moment Alicia finally realized that Brittany had found the right man for her. Brittany's smile continued to grow as she waited for Kevin to walk over.

Kevin reached out and hugged Brittany. "I've been looking all over for you."

Brittany pulled away, then bent her forehead to stare curiously at Kevin. "Really? Aren't you busy with your cool guy friends?"

"Tsk, don't be jealous, honey."

"Ah, I had forgotten." Brittany raised one hand, pointing at Alicia who was still standing next to her. "This is Alicia, the best friend you've always told me about."

Kevin raised both eyebrows, looking amazed when he saw Alicia. He then gave her a hand to shake. "Hello, Alicia. I'm Kevin. This is the first time I've seen you in person, you look amazing," he said, as Alicia accepted Kevin's handshake. "Brittany talked to you a lot."

Alicia nodded in understanding. "I'm sure Brittany must have said a lot of bad things about me. Didn't she?"

"Come on, Alicia."

Kevin chuckled and shoved both hands into the pockets of his gray pants. Nodding his head, he tried to be casual, "You don't have to worry. I heard that you help a lot of people in solving serious murder cases. I heard a lot of stories about your ex-boyfriend in the media. I think it's hard for you to deal with it alone."

Alicia listened to Kevin, without making any comment.

"Kevin, this is not the right time to talk about that."

And Kevin cleared his throat. "Brittany's right. This is a happy moment, why don't we take a picture? I'll take a picture," he said and pulled out his cell phone from his pants pocket. He prepared to take the picture, directing Alicia and Brittany who agreed to be photographed. "You can get closer for a better shot."

Brittany moved closer to Alicia. They put their arms around each other.

"One, two... three!"

Click!

"One more time!" shouted Kevin excitedly.

Brittany raised her hand in the air, pointing at Kevin behind her cell phone. "You have to join us!"

"Okay."

Kevin took a small run toward Brittany and Alicia. He stood next to Brittany while turning the phone's camera into selfie mode. They smiled at the camera and snapped a few pictures.

"I want to see the pictures!" said Brittany, taking Kevin's phone.

While Kevin let Brittany look through the gallery on the phone, Kevin approached Alicia. He reopened the conversation. "By the way Alicia, why don't you continue your education here? Didn't you get good grades in psychology class?"

There was a small murmur from Alicia as she answered Kevin's question. "Well, there's no way I can learn how to help other people's mental health when my own mental health isn't good. Mrs. Portman's death took my mind off things, I thought it would be bad to continue at that time."

Kevin nodded his head. He seemed to understand Alicia's explanation, before finally returning to Brittany and looking through the pictures there, leaving Alicia alone.

Alicia's blue eyes scanned the surroundings. The campus, which she visited every day, felt unfamiliar and cold. Nothing had changed. The high-floor buildings still stood there. Only time had moved forward past Alicia. She had taken a leave of absence, so she would need to repeat her studies this year if she wanted to become a graduate of the psychology class.

But that wasn't what caught Alicia's attention. As she was enjoying the view of the campus, she realized that there was a man watching her from afar. A figure that was completely familiar in Alicia's memory. Alicia squinted, then muttered, "Ace?"