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

got a good

Roseanne was speechless.

I know you won't invite me up.

He was quite self-aware.

this guy's pretty considerate, knows

Roseanne was shocked.

I guessed right again, didn't

a café they'd been

it had air

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

you have? My

frappe, no ice,

touched his chin as

brief silence, Roseanne went to the counter: "Two cookies

Corley chuckled softly: "So you like it too. Does that mean

replied, "Just

Corley smirked.

many coincidences

preferences-what she liked to eat, what she liked to

their drinks were

down to sip and

did you

a

IMS

moment: "...I

wanted to chat, he wouldn't suggest

he certainly wouldn't appear under her apartment late at night for no