Chapter 118

After spending a few days at home with Mom and Anna, I returned to the hostel. Life slowly slipped back into routine—exam prep and hockey practice kept me busy. Without Garcia in the picture, things felt peaceful again… but also dull. Everything became repetitive. Then Lilly approached me again, asking if I'd consider being her boyfriend. I avoided giving her a direct answer. I didn't know what the right thing to do. I wasn't ready for another relationship—not yet. But I didn't shut her out completely either. Maybe with time, I would feel differently. Maybe I'd give it a try. Right now, I just needed space to heal and let go of everything tied to Garcia. "Exams are around the corner," I told her. "We should stay focused on studying, so…" "I get it," she said with a smile—but it was a strained one. I could see the disappointment behind it. "I know I'm not good enough for you," she said softly. "But at least you didn't turn me down. That gives me hope." I offered her a small smile. It wa