All Chapters of The Sin Between US : Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

I never imagined that a group project could change everything. Yet fate ever mischievous in its timing had paired me with Ethan for our modern literature assignment. The task was to analyze a series of short stories, identify recurring themes, and present our findings in a creative format. When the professor announced the groups, my heart sank a little, I had already been trying to keep Ethan at arm's length. But as our names were read together, there was no escaping his persistent presence. I sighed internally, bracing myself for yet another day of his quiet, unyielding kindness.Later that day, I made my way to the campus library a vast, echoing space filled with soft murmurs, the scent of aged paper, and sunlight slanting through high windows. I chose a secluded table near a window, hoping to plan our project in some semblance of privacy. To my surprise, Ethan was already there, setting up his laptop with an ease that made the space feel less intimidating. His calm presence had a w

I never expected that the everyday rhythms of college life could begin to feel so… intimate. Yet, as the days passed, casual encounters with Ethan evolved into moments that lingered long after the conversation ended. It started with small, unplanned meetings: a shared smile in the hallway, a coincidental run to the campus café, and even finding him waiting at a secluded corner of the library where I’d sneak in a few moments of quiet study. At first, I chalked it up to coincidence. But the more I observed, the more I began to sense an underlying purpose in his presence a gentle persistence that made me question the walls I’d built around myself.One crisp autumn afternoon, I found myself heading out for an early coffee run. The campus was quiet in the morning light, and I was determined to enjoy a moment of solitude before classes began. I grabbed my favorite thermos and set out on my usual route. The breeze was cool and invigorating, and I took solace in the rhythmic tapping of my sho

It was one of those nights in our dorm when the stress of lectures and assignments took a backseat to pure, unfiltered silliness. The common room in our girls’ dorm was dimly lit by a string of fairy lights and the soft glow of a desk lamp, and our playlist was cranked up just loud enough to drown out the distant hum of campus life. I sprawled on my bed, textbooks temporarily forgotten, as my best friends, Favour and Gift, made themselves at home on the beanbag and floor cushions.“Okay, spill it,” Favour declared dramatically, her eyes wide as if she’d just uncovered the world’s greatest secret. “What happened in that lecture today? I swear, Professor Green looked like he was auditioning for a soap opera with all that dramatic flair.”I grinned, shaking my head. “Honestly, it was like he thought we’d all turn into philosophers overnight. He started with this quote—something about ‘the eternal dance of existentialism’ and I’m sitting there wondering if I should be solving quadratic eq

The Philosophy Department’s field trip was billed as a unique blend of study and leisure a chance to escape the cramped lecture halls and explore a town steeped in history and ideas. Honestly, I hadn’t been too thrilled by the prospect. The idea of spending a day in a place famous for its philosophical debates and age-old traditions sounded impressive on paper, but I had only come along because Favour and Gift practically forced me. Still, as the bus rumbled toward our destination, I tried to convince myself that maybe it would be worth it.After a morning of guided tours through ancient debate grounds and quiet museums, our professors finally announced a change of pace: a campus-wide scavenger hunt that would allow us to put our observational skills and maybe even a bit of our philosophical curiosity to the test. The event was designed to be both fun and challenging, a lighthearted interlude in an otherwise rigorous academic schedule.“Alright, everyone, pair up.” our coordinator bel

I tried to shake off the conversation with Ethan, but it lingered like an unfinished thought, refusing to fade. The rest of the trip went on as planned group discussions, observation sessions, and assigned reflections on the philosophical themes we were meant to explore. But even as I buried myself in our activities, I couldn’t escape the awareness of Ethan’s presence. It wasn’t even that he was always near. If anything, he gave me space, only engaging when necessary. But that somehow made it worse. I should have felt relieved that he didn’t press further after our talk last night. Instead, there was a gnawing discomfort in my chest, like I’d walked away from something unfinished.That evening, we were gathered for a group reflection session led by our professor. The topic revolved around existentialism and how our personal experiences shaped our perception of meaning.“We often define ourselves through others,” the professor said, scanning the circle of students. “But what happens wh