‘Look, I know it looks bad, but please believe me – I’d never intentionally do this to you.I was looking forward to dinner with you all day.’Her face softens, watery eyes flickering up to meet mine.‘I know this is fake,’ I go on, heart thudding, ‘but I care about you.The last thing I want is to be another person who lets you down.’
The silence stretches.
Then she sighs, soft and tired.‘You smell like grass and mud.’
A weak laugh escapes me.‘Yeah.I do.’
She studies me for another long second, then gestures towards the hallway.‘Go shower.But please, for the love of God, turn up to dinner tomorrow night.’
‘Absolutely,’ I say instantly.‘There’s no chance this will ever happen again.’
When I come out of the shower, towel-drying my hair, I feel some of the tightness leave my chest when I see that Nora is tucked into my bed, blankets pulled up to her chin.
I flick off the light and climb in beside her, the mattress dipping beneath my weight, making her roll a little closer to me.She shifts slightly, giving me space, but I don’t want space from her.
For a minute, we just lie there.Then she moves slowly and presses into my side, her head resting against my shoulder like it’s something we’ve done a hundred times before.My arm lifts instinctively, wrapping around her.
It’s not sexual.It’s not flirty.It’s something else entirely.A comfortable closeness.Her breath evens out against my chest, warm on my bare skin.
‘I really am sorry,’ I whisper into her hair.
‘I know,’ she says, almost too quietly to hear.
I don’t think about footy, or the team, or Coach, or how close I am to losing everything.Instead, I just hold her a little tighter.She doesn’t pull away.
For the first time in a long time, I don’t feel like I’m messing everything up.Nora’s breathing slows beside me, steady and soft.I let my eyes close too.
Even if neither of us knows whatthisis, I’m not ready to let it go any time soon.
Distinction.
I blink down at my phone in complete shock.
Exiting out of the app, I refresh it and stare once more.I scroll back up, re-reading the comments from the tutor.
‘Insightful application of theory, Zayden.You’ve shown a clear understanding of practical strategy.I’m looking forward to more from you.’
I laugh – actually laugh, out loud – and a couple of passing students look at me.Never before have I had such a high mark.I scrape through on passes and as of late, I haven’t even been passing.
After everything – late training, pressure from Coach, almost screwing up with Nora – this feels like something solid.Something I’ve finally done right.All I want to do is tell her.
I cut across the lawn near the library, weaving through groups.Students sprawl on the grass, half-asleep in the sun.I spot her near the cafe sitting with Anya and Cami, laughing at something.She’s wearing that soft blue jumper I love on her, and her hair is pulled up in that messy way she always wears it.
‘Nora!’She turns at the sound of my voice, eyes lighting up when she sees me.‘Guess who smashed their marketing report,’ I say, a little breathless.
‘You passed?’she asks, bringing her hands together in excitement.
‘Passed?’I repeat.‘I got a Distinction.’
She squeals – loud enough for everyone around us to glance over – and leaps to her feet.Before I can second-guess it, I collect her face in my hands and dive towards her mouth.Her breath catches, just for a second, and then she kisses me back.
When we pull apart, Cami lets out an obnoxious whistle and Anya is grinning from ear to ear.Nora’s cheeks are flushed, but she doesn’t look away or step back from me.
‘You got a Distinction?’she asks, looking pleased at the news.
I nod, still grinning.‘Yep.All thanks to you.’
She shakes her head, biting back a smile.‘You did all the hard work.I just helped you understand what was being asked.’
