Faith slowly walked to her bedroom, her bare feet making soft padding sounds against the wooden floor. The room was dimly lit, with only the glow of her bedside lamp casting a warm golden hue on the walls. She reached for the wardrobe, opening it with one hand while the other held her towel securely around her body.
Her fingers skimmed over the neatly folded nightgowns before she let out a small sigh and reached for something else, one of her dad's oversized T-shirts. The soft fabric felt comforting as she held it up, a deep green one that almost swallowed her whole. She smiled faintly, slipping it over her head. The shirt reached down to her knees, making her look even smaller.
She took a few steps toward the little mirror hanging on the wall, studying herself for a moment. Her damp black hair clung to her shoulders, still slightly tangled from her bath. The oversized shirt made her appear even more delicate, but she liked how cozy it felt. With a satisfied nod, she turned away and climbed into bed, pulling the blankets over her legs before sinking into the plush pillows.
The room was quiet except for the faint rustling of tree branches outside her window. The cold wind howled softly, making the curtains sway. She exhaled deeply, staring at the ceiling, then reached for her phone. Her fingers hovered over the screen for a second before she tapped the call button.
After a few rings, Stephanie picked up.
"Hello? How are you feeling now, Faith?" Stephanie's voice was filled with concern.
"I'm alright. Getting better. Just a slight headache and a little bit tired," Faith replied, rubbing her temple.
"Hope you'd be able to write tomorrow's test?" Stephanie asked.
Faith let out a small sigh, her gaze shifting to the dark sky outside her window. "Hopefully," she murmured. The thought of the test weighed on her, but she pushed it aside.
Suddenly, another voice joined the call.
"If you have a slight headache, don't you think you should let your parents know how you're feeling?" Alex's voice came through, catching Faith off guard. She had been silent the whole time, waiting for the right moment to speak.
Faith smiled slightly. Alex always had a way of jumping into conversations at the most unexpected moments.
"I'd let them know tomorrow morning if I don't get any better," Faith assured them. "But right now, I feel good. I just had a really nice, warm soak in the tub."
"I'm jealous. I wish I were you right now," Stephanie whined.
Alex scoffed. "Your bathroom is the size of my entire room and passage combined. You can do whatever darn thing you want, so what's the issue?"
Stephanie laughed. "Well, nothing. I just think it'd be more fun if I were in her position."
"You're definitely high," Alex responded dryly.
Faith chuckled. "Hey, I called because of me, not because of the millionaire's daughter," she teased.
"Fine, fine. So, tell me—anything interesting happen today?" Faith asked, trying to change the topic.
Alex was the first to respond. "Someone has an admirer."
"Don't you dare, Alex!" Stephanie's voice turned defensive.
Faith perked up. "Who is it?"
Alex didn't hesitate. "It's a guy from Class D."
"Shut up, Alex!" Stephanie groaned.
"Let her speak," Faith urged, intrigued.
Alex continued, ignoring Stephanie's protests. "He bought her some cupcakes, but she rejected them."
Faith frowned. "How boring. You're terrible at storytelling, Alex."
"I said exactly what happened!" Alex shot back.
"Either way, I don't like him. Or cupcakes," Stephanie huffed.
Faith raised an eyebrow. "Isn't that the same class as that girl?"
"What girl?" Stephanie asked, confused.
"She's talking about Cole's girlfriend," Alex answered without hesitation.
Faith's heart pounded unexpectedly. A sudden, unpleasant feeling crept over her, making her shift uncomfortably under her blanket.
"No, no… He's in third-year Class D, not second-year," Stephanie corrected.
"About that girl—did you two ever get her name?" Faith asked casually, trying to ignore the strange irritation bubbling within her.
"Yeah, I asked Cole. He said her name was Elizabeth," Alex replied.
"Aww, that's a cute name for a cute girl like her," Stephanie added.
Faith clenched her jaw slightly. "Who is she to Cole?" she asked, trying to keep her voice neutral.
"They're just friends, since you're so concerned," Alex teased.
Stephanie giggled. "Maybe she's jealous."
"Yes, maybe she is," Alex added with a smirk.
Faith inhaled sharply. She hated this. She should've been used to their teasing by now, but something about it being related to Cole made it particularly annoying.
"Please stop," Faith said gently, trying not to let her irritation show.
"You seem very calm, maybe because you're still sick," Stephanie said. "Either way, I like it."
"I've got to go—I haven't studied yet," she added before hanging up.
Faith scoffed. "She hasn't read? That's very unserious."
"But at least she reads, unlike you," Faith teased Alex.
"I read too!" Alex said defensively.
"Alright then," Faith replied, making it clear she was wrapping up the conversation.
Before she could end the call, Alex suddenly spoke again. "You should call him to thank him."
Faith frowned. "Call who?"
"Cole."
Faith's entire body tensed. "How did you know?" she asked, sitting up slightly.
"Did he tell you?" she added, feeling a little too concerned.
"Why would he tell me?" Alex scoffed. "Besides, it doesn't matter how I knew. What matters is you being thankful to him."
Faith sighed. Alex had a way of making things sound so simple, yet so infuriating.
She knew Alex was right. Cole had helped her when she collapsed—without hesitation, without asking, without waiting for permission. He just did what he thought was best. The memory of his firm grip around her wrist, the way he took care of everything without saying much, replayed in her mind.
She was convinced now. Annoyed, but convinced.
"Alright, ma'am," Faith muttered sarcastically before hanging up.
She stared at the ceiling, her thoughts swirling like a storm. The idea of calling Cole was frustrating, but avoiding it seemed even worse.
"Fine. I'll thank him… tomorrow in class," she mumbled to herself.
With a deep sigh, she turned to her side, closing her eyes and trying to push the thought of him away as she drifted into sleep.
"I should close that window, it's getting cold but I'm too comfortable right now," Faith thought to herself as she slowly slept off.