Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Winter nights draw in early, and when the clock struck seven, rows of street lamps on both sides of the road lit up, casting a warm glow on the chilly evening.

The stretch from the subway station to Kingswell University had a bustling market where vendors sold anything.

Crossing the bridge, Roseanne heard the distant shout of a vendor selling hot dogs. She blinked away the sting from the cold wind and turned to Owen, "Wait here for me, will you?" Owen stood still, and she was back in two minutes, cradling two hot dogs in her hands. "Here."

The hot dogs were a comforting warmth, though biting into them was almost too hot. Roseanne gently blew on hers, took a careful bite, and smiled brightly.

Turning to Owen, she asked, "Is yours good?"

He nodded, admitting it was the best hot dog he'd ever had.

Roseanne couldn't hide her pride. "See, I always pick the good ones."

Owen's smile, infectious from hers, played at the corners of his mouth, a soft laughter lighting up his eyes.

They reached home by seven.

underfloor heating wrapped them in warmth. Roseanne took the books and pens she brought back

desk. Roseanne organized them, put them on the shelf, and noticed one that Owen lent her last week for her studies. After knocking on his

faint scent of mint filled the air between them, causing an unexpected flutter in

and a

smile deepened at

gaze, Roseanne quickly ripped off the bookmark. "Ah, just some doodles I do when I'm

subject,

After exams 'd like to invite you to dinner to thank you for all

sincerity, Owen didn't refuse but suggested, "Why not here? I prefer your

Roseanne laughed. "How about

ket

last exam, I'll go grocery shopping, and you cane come straight to dinner after your

Owen agreed, "Sounds good."

next day, the rain held off, and a few rays of sunlight peeked through the large swathes of dark

supermarket after her

there was a knock