Chapter 493

I chuckled. “The way you’re acting… kinda feels like you might have a little crush.”

“Keira…” Yuna blushed, looking away, clearly embarrassed.

Yep, I was right—she totally had a thing for him.

“Hey, there’s nothing wrong with that. It’s normal to be interested in someone at your age,” I said, glancing over at a nearby couple studying together. They were sneaking each other little looks, wrapped up in their sweet, low-key intimacy.

It reminded me of school days, watching couples like that and wishing Jace would do the same. I’d begged him to come study with me so many times, but he’d always bail after a few minutes. Maybe even then, deep down, I knew we weren’t really a match. We just moved at totally different paces.

“Keira?” Yuna’s voice pulled me back to reality.

I shook off the memories and grinned. “So… are you gonna tell me this guy’s name?”

Okay, I really wanted to know if it was Wade.

She hesitated. “Can I… not say?”

I smiled, waving it off. “Of course, you don’t have to if you’re not ready.”

“It’s not that I don’t trust you… it’s just… we’re really just friends. We study together sometimes. It’s not like what you’re thinking,” Yuna added quickly, clearly worried she’d let me down.

“Got it,” I said, giving her a wink to keep it light.

She squeezed my hand. “You’re the best. Honestly, you feel like my best friend.”

Thinking about everything going on with Hayden, I knew she had no clue what’d been happening with us. So I tried to reassure her, just in case. “Not just like a friend, Yuna. I am your friend—no matter what. As long as you’re willing.”

She beamed, missing the hint entirely. “Then it’s official—you’re gonna be my sister-in-law and my best—”

Seeing Yuna so happy, I couldn’t bring myself to mention my breakup with Hayden. Better to let him tell her when he’s ready.

“So, how have you been feeling lately? Any weird symptoms? If you feel anything, let me know. Lena and Professor Neumann are always available if you need them,” I said, still a little anxious about her health.

Yuna shook her head, then paused, pressing a hand to her chest. “Sometimes… I get this little flutter—”

My heart skipped a beat. “How often? Does it happen a lot?”

“Only sometimes,” she said, though she looked like she wanted to say more. Her hesitation made me worry. “When exactly? Did you tell Hayden? Have you gone for a checkup?”

“It’s not my heart,” she said, a bit shyly. “It’s… something else.”

After a beat, she blushed. “Actually, the flutter only happens… when I see a certain person.”

I caught on immediately. “You mean… your study buddy?”

Yuna nodded.

Relief flooded through me—it wasn’t her heart, just her feelings.

“I don’t really feel like studying today,” Yuna murmured. “Will you come home with me?”

Normally, I’d have said yes right away, but now… things were different.

“I can’t. I still have work to finish up.”

“Keira…”

“I’ll come by when I’m done, promise.”

As I reached the library doors, everything suddenly went dark. I felt my balance slip, the world tilting as I started to fall.

Just before I blacked out, I heard the panicked voices around me and Yuna’s voice calling out, “Keira! Keira…”