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."

did

"I've got a

Roseanne was speechless.

invite me up. So, how about

He was quite self-aware.

bet you're thinking, huh, this guy's

Roseanne was shocked.

I guessed right

a café

street, it had air conditioning,

suit, seemed out of place among the café's casual vibe,

"What'll you have?

cookies and cream frappe, no

Corley touched his

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

"So you like it too. Does that mean we're... kindred

replied, "Just

Corley smirked.

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 all, but

drinks

sat down

"So, what did you want to

see you without a reason?" he

IMS

fell silent for a moment: "...I don't

wanted to chat, he wouldn't suggest

wouldn't appear under her apartment late at night for