Echoes of Unrequited Love

Chapter 55

Wallis had ribbed me before for being a bit too serious.

So | decided to play it cool and said with a smile. “Alright, then | won’t hold back.”

“Professor Yearwood, Xaviera,” a soft, out-of-place voice chimed in. “What a coincidence.”

| turned and instantly spotted Hogan and Cecilia not far away.

Hogan, clutching a stack of research books, stood quietly beside Cecilia, gazing in our direction. His eyes were deep and mysterious.

Asubtle smirk, almost imperceptible, played on his lips.

Cecilia had come to the bookstore hunting for some gaming programming material.

And, needless to say, Hogan was tagging along with his sweetheart to level up.

They'd been browsing the bookstore for a while but hadn't found the game backend construction guide on their shopping list and were getting antsy.

“Professor Yearwood, are you here to help Xaviera pick books too?” Cecilia fluttered her big eyes at Darren, “Detective novels, huh?”

Darren scratched his head and said, “Just bumped into each other.”

No sooner had he spoken than | caught a beam of scrutiny from across the way; lifting my eyes, it was from where Hogan stood. Our gazes clashed; | played it cool, looked away, and pointed at the bookshelf, “Top shelf, second row from the left.”

Cecilia was clueless, “What?”

“The book you're looking for.”

She peeked where | was pointing, and moments later, she beamed, “Xaviera, you’re awesome.”

| just smiled and kept mum.

This bookstore’d been around near the university town for a good seven or eight years. Hogan and | used to hit this place up all the time during college: | had scoped out the programming books, so how could | not know?

Cecilia, grateful for the help with the book, said, “Xaviera, thanks a bunch. How about this, let us treat you and Professor Yearwood to a meal?”

Just pointed out a book and | was in for a free dinner, should | feel lucky? Darren seemed to catch my drift and politely declined. “Ms. Irwin, you're too kind.” Chapter 55

“How about the campus cafeteria?” Cecilia, acting like she didn’t get the hint, suggested, “The same place you and Xaviera ate last time, sound good?”

She was really pushing it.

That spot. Hogan knew it better than us.

So | turned to Hogan and asked, “What do you think, Mr. Zade?”

“Hogan, let's go.” Cecilia pouted, tugging at Hogan’s sleeve, “I wanna try the chef's specials too.” Hogan put on a look like he couldn’t bear to say no.

Seeing that, | chimed in cheerfully, “Cool, then let’s go for some mixed spaghetti.”

Half an hour later, the four of us showed up in the school cafeteria.

Darren was well-liked, so it was no surprise students came over to say hi. Plus, Hogan, decked. out in a suit, looking like a walking bjd, turned quite a few heads.

Cecilia didn’t mind one bit, even seemed a tad proud, giggling with the menu, “Hogan, what will you have?”

“Ketchup spaghetti.”

“I'll have what he’s having.”

Funny enough, Hogan ended up sitting in the exact same spot as back in college.

Even ordered the same dish.

Only now, the person sitting next to him wasn’t me.

“Xaviera, how about you? Ketchup spaghetti too?”

Darren's voice snapped me back.

Suddenly, the dinner at Honto Abbey flashed through my mind, and | shook my head, “Got tired of it, let's switch it up.” Darren recommended a couple, and I’m not fussy, so | casually said, “Same as you

fine.”ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

Ironically, Hogan and Cecilia both went for ketchup spaghetti, while Darren and | ended up with stir-fried pork.

And hey, it was actually pretty tasty.