LOGINNora’s House (Evening)The door clicked shut behind her.Quiet.Too quiet.Nora dropped her bag on the chair and kicked off her shoes carelessly.“…What a day,” she muttered, dragging a hand through her hair.She walked into her room and flopped onto the bed.Face down.Silence.Then—Her phone buzzed.She ignored it.It buzzed again.And again.Annoying.She groaned, turning slightly and grabbing it.Unknown number.She frowned.“…Who is this again?”It buzzed once more.Irritated now, she picked up.“Hello?”“Hey… Nora.”She froze.That voice.Her expression changed instantly.“…Are you serious right now?” she said flatly.A small chuckle came from the other end.“Wow. No ‘hi’? No ‘how are you’? That’s cold.”Nora sat up slowly.“You have exactly five seconds to explain why you’re calling me.”“Relax, Nora. I just wanted to check up on you.”She laughed.Short.Dry.“Check up on me?”“Yeah. It’s been a while and I—”“Let me stop you right there,” she cut in sharply. “We don’t do tha
Nora stared at them for a few seconds longer.Too long.Long enough to notice the little things.The way the woman leaned forward when she laughed.The way Edwin didn’t pull away.The ease between them.Comfort.Familiarity.Something… established.Her grip tightened slightly around her cup.“…Yeah,” she muttered under her breath. “Definitely not just a colleague.”Her coffee suddenly didn’t taste as good.Actually—It tasted bitter.She exhaled slowly and reached for her bag.Stand up.Simple.Easy.Leave with dignity.That’s what Mary said.That’s what a sane person would do.But her eyes betrayed her again—Drifting back.One last look.Edwin said something.The woman laughed again.And this time—He didn’t just smile.He held it.Softer.Warmer.Like it belonged there.Nora’s chest tightened.Sharp.Unexpected.“…Okay.”That was it.That was enough.She stood up quickly.Too quickly.Her chair dragged slightly against the floor.A few heads turned.“Great,” she whispered. “Nice ex
It was the weekend, and Nora felt overwhelmed with everything that had happened during the week—especially what transpired between her and Max.His words still lingered.“You just won’t have me the same way.”She sighed, pressing her lips together.“I hate complicated things,” she muttered.She needed to clear her head.After freshening up, she grabbed her bag and headed out.A quiet place.Somewhere peaceful.Somewhere far from overthinking.The bell above the coffee shop door chimed softly as Nora stepped in.Warm light greeted her.Soft music played in the background.The rich smell of coffee wrapped around her like comfort.Exactly what she needed.She walked to a corner table and sat down, dropping her bag beside her.“Hi, I’ll have a caramel latte,” she told the barista.“Name?”“Nora.”She leaned back in her seat, scrolling through her phone absentmindedly.Trying not to think.Trying to breathe.Then—A voice.Low.Familiar.Her fingers froze mid-scroll.Her heart skipped.“…N
Next Day – NUD 215 ClassThe classroom buzzed with low chatter.Nora sat unusually quiet.Books open.Pen ready.Mary leaned closer.“…Who are you and what have you done with my friend?”“Shh,” Nora whispered. “I’m focusing.”Mary blinked.“On purpose??”“Yes!”Before Mary could reply—The door opened.Silence dropped instantly.Edwin walked in.Calm. Composed. Untouchable.“Good morning.”“Good morning, sir,” the class responded.Nora didn’t even lift her head fully.Too careful.Too aware.Edwin placed his materials on the desk and scanned the room.Then—His gaze landed on her.Brief.Unreadable.Then gone.“Open your notes,” he said. “We continue from where we stopped.”Pages flipped quickly.Nora flipped hers too—fast, nervous.“Miss Oscar.”Her heart stopped.Slowly… she looked up.“Yes, sir.”“Define simple carbohydrates.”Her mind went blank for half a second.Then—She inhaled.“They are carbohydrates made up of one or two sugar units… easily digested and quickly absorbed int
Evening – Nora’s RoomNora pushed her door open slowly and walked in.She dropped her bag.Kicked off her shoes.Then fell face-first onto her bed.“Mmmmmm!” she groaned into her pillow.Silence.Then—She turned, grabbed her phone, and dialed.Mary picked almost immediately.“Tell me you’re alive.”“I’m not,” Nora said flatly. “I died. I’m speaking to you from the afterlife.”Mary snorted.“So dramatic. What happened?”Nora sat up slowly.“Everything.”“Define everything.”“I went to beg Professor Nelson,” Nora started.“Good. That’s progress.”“He refused.”Mary paused.“…Wait. Like—completely?”“Completely,” Nora said. “No pity. No mercy. No ‘I understand you.’ Just—‘you’re dismissed.’”“Ouch.”“Exactly!” Nora groaned. “Mary, that man has no emotional support system.”Mary laughed.“He’s not your boyfriend, Nora. He’s your lecturer.”“Still! Small softness won’t kill him.”“So what now?” Mary asked. “Are you officially in trouble?”“Yes!” Nora said. “Like real trouble. ‘Forwarded t
Nora sat slumped in her chair, staring at nothing.Mary crossed her arms.“Girl, you really messed up.”“I know, I know already,” Nora snapped. “Why do you keep bringing the past up?”Mary blinked.“Past? Something that happened one hour ago? Nora, please wake up.”Max leaned forward slightly.“Is he still with your phone?”Nora sighed. “Yes. And I don’t even know how to meet him now.”“You have to go to his office,” Mary said firmly. “Apologize properly. Beg if you have to. Tell him it will never happen again.”Nora made a face.“Begging… in this economy?”“Yes!” Mary shot back. “Unless you want to be reported officially!”Nora groaned.“Fine. I’ll go. But I don’t even know where his office is.”Max thought for a second.“I think it’s the one near the department’s library. I’ve seen him come out of there a few times.”Nora stood up immediately.“Alright. I’m going now before he leaves.”Mary pointed at her.“Be serious this time!”Max added quietly,“And be respectful.”Nora rolled h







