Chapter 19

Shayne stood beneath the familiar tree outside Laura's dormitory, stubbornly staring up at the window that was glowing with warm light. He knew she was inside. His limbs had gradually gone numb, and the only place with any feeling left was his heart. It throbbed in dull, rhythmic spasms. He remembered countless times in the past when he had waited downstairs like this after making her angry. Back then, no matter how upset she was, she would always relent in the end. She would come down with reddened eyes, only to be pulled tightly into his arms. But this time, she didn't. Students heading out early held umbrellas as they hurried past, casting curious or pitying glances before quickly moving on. Shayne was soaked to the bone, shivering uncontrollably from the cold. An unnatural flush spread across his cheeks, and he battled waves of dizziness. At last, the dormitory door opened. But it wasn't Laura who came out. It was her roommate. She looked at the utterly disheveled Shayne wit