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 you

got a

Roseanne was speechless.

hot outside, and I know you won't invite me up. So, how about we find somewhere cooler to

He was quite self-aware.

huh, this guy's pretty considerate, knows

Roseanne was shocked.

I guessed right again, didn't

a café they'd been

had air

seemed out of place among

you have?

and cream frappe, no ice, extra sugar."

Corley touched his chin

to the counter: "Two cookies

you like it too. Does that mean we're...

replied, "Just

Corley smirked.

coincidences like this

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 certainly more

their drinks were

they sat down

"So, what did you want to talk

I see you without a

IMS

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

chat, he wouldn't

appear under her apartment late at