The autumn wind swirled around me as I stood outside the university building, hugging my books to my chest. My thoughts were consumed by Rhys's impending departure. Just when we had finally found our rhythm, he was leaving for Alpha business. The uncertainty gnawed at me - a week apart felt like an eternity after everything we'd been through.
I pulled out my phone, hoping to see a message from him, but the screen remained black. I pressed the power button repeatedly with no success. Great. My phone had been acting up since Zara's friends had "accidentally" knocked it out of my hand last week. The screen was already cracked, but now it refused to turn on at all.
"Technology problems?" a voice called from behind me.
I turned to find Rowan approaching, his backpack slung casually over one shoulder. Those calculating eyes I'd noticed earlier were fixed on me with interest.
"Just my phone," I sighed. "It's been broken since last week, but now it's completely dead."
