Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

The car stopped at the end of the alley, and Roseanne stepped out.

Scales and Mamie had already made their way ahead.

Roseanne walked towards the apartment building.

The moonlight was soft, and the stars were sparse, scattered thinly across the night sky.

The breeze carried the heat of high summer, offering no cool relief.

Suddenly, she paused in her tracks.

A man was leaning against a tree at the foot of the building, hands in his pockets. When he saw her, he subconsciously straightened up. Then, he flashed a smile.

"Surprised to see me?" Corley Sullivan stepped forward.

Roseanne was taken aback for a moment: "...A bit."

"Getting used to the new term?"

"Yeah."

"Classes filling up?"

That hit right on the mark for Roseanne. It wasn't just full; it was overwhelmingly so!

Corley shrugged: "Your expression says it all."

"...Is it that obvious?" she touched her face.

"Not really."

how did

"I've got a good

Roseanne was speechless.

know you won't invite me up. So, how about

He was quite self-aware.

huh, this

Roseanne was shocked.

guessed right again,

a café

air

in his business suit, seemed out of place among the café's casual vibe, drawing curious

you

cookies and cream frappe, no

touched his chin as she

Roseanne went to the counter: "Two cookies and cream frappe,

finished, Corley chuckled softly: "So you like it too. Does

"Just a

Corley smirked.

many coincidences

be aware, but over the years, he had come to know her preferences-what she liked to eat, what she liked to drink-perhaps not

drinks

sat down

did you want

without a

IMS

a moment: "...I

wanted to chat, he wouldn't

under her apartment late at night for no