That night, Elise had a dream—she and Elise were back in their college days.
It was June, the scorching sun burning with the heat of summer. The phoenix flowers were in bloom, and the parting songs echoed, creating a bittersweet atmosphere in schools everywhere.
Wearing her black graduation cap and holding a red diploma tube, Elise peeked out from the university gate, standing on her tiptoes, scanning the crowd for the person she was waiting for.
Her best friend Paige Lawson, whom she had known since high school, had also chosen the same university. As if blessed by fate, they ended up in the same department and class. Paige fiddled with the graduation flower pinned to her chest, her gaze falling on Elise.
"Are you waiting for your next-door big brother?" Paige teased, linking arms with Elise playfully. "I'm so jealous of you. I wish I had a big brother too."
"Let me ask him later if he's willing to take on a second little sister," Elise laughed, adjusting her glasses. "If this proposal goes through, he'll have three sisters—his real cousin, me, and you."
Paige froze for a moment before reacting, "You're serious, huh? But when is he getting here? Looks like most people have already left."
Looking around, the campus that had been packed with students and faculty earlier had now almost emptied, with just a handful of people lingering like stray cats.
"That's why it's better—fewer people. He should be here any minute," Elise glanced around, and finally, she spotted him.
A tall, slender figure appeared in the distance, entering Elise's hopeful gaze. She couldn't hide her excitement as she jogged over to him, flashing him a smile as bright as cherry blossoms in full bloom.
Braden was wearing the same graduation gown, his expression as serious as if he were at a military parade, exuding an aura that made him seem unapproachable, with coldness filling his eyes.
Because of this graduation gown, he had gotten a parking ticket for stopping illegally in a no-parking zone.
He wondered just how much he owed Elise—trouble always seemed to follow her around.
"I've been waiting for you! There's barely anyone around, so we can take pictures everywhere," Elise cheerfully pointed to the DSLR hanging around her neck, aiming the lens at Braden. "Come on, smile for the camera! Why do you look so grumpy?"
"I got a parking ticket because of this outfit," Braden gave her a forced, sarcastic smile. "How's this for a smile?"
"I'll pay the ticket for you then. But you didn't get into an accident, right?" Elise tilted her head, her expression serious.
"I was just parked in front of a shop for a few minutes. It's the first ticket I've ever gotten…" Braden sighed.
"Alright, let's just take the picture." Elise grabbed his hand and pulled him over to stand next to Paige, ready to take a graduation photo of the three of them.
Among the dozen or so photos, there was only one of just Elise and Braden. She later printed it, put it in a frame, and gave it to him.
She said it was to commemorate their youth.
Hours passed, and when Elise woke up from her nap, she yawned and stretched. Reflecting on things, she realized Braden had been really accommodating to her. No wonder Mylee seemed a bit hostile towards her.
Then again, maybe she was just overthinking it. Maybe Mylee didn't mean anything by it at all.
After brushing her teeth and washing her face, Elise padded across the wooden floor in her slippers, the soft rustling catching her mother's attention. Her mother glanced over and smiled warmly, waving her daughter over.
"Sweetie, come eat breakfast," her mother said, pointing to a yellow plate on the table. "Garlic toast, omelet, German sausage, and a vegetable salad."
"Mom, this is too much food. It's enough to last until lunch," Elise chuckled as she pulled out a chair and sat down.
"Of course, you need to eat well. We're driving out of town later, and there might not be many rest stops along the way," her mother said, pouring a cup of hot milk and placing it in front of Elise. "Have some milk with it."
Elise's hand, holding her fork and knife, froze mid-air. "We're going somewhere?"
Her mother nodded with a smile and sat down next to her. "Didn't Braden tell you? Or maybe he doesn't know either? We're going on a picnic with the Howe family—and Ruth is coming too."
"What? That's so sudden! I had no idea!" Elise exclaimed, accidentally dropping her fork onto the table.
"Hmm? It's not a big deal, right? You didn't have plans, did you? Or are you worried you won't have time to get all dolled up for him?" Her mother covered her mouth, laughing playfully.
"Who?" Elise asked, genuinely confused, giving her mother a puzzled look, hoping for some clarity.
"Be good, finish your breakfast, and then rest for a bit. We'll be heading out in an hour," her mother said, stirring her latte thoughtfully as she glanced at her daughter.
"Got it," Elise replied, speeding up as she devoured her breakfast, almost gulping it down.
She still remembered how flat and messy her hair had looked in the bathroom earlier. If Braden saw it, he'd definitely make a big deal out of it and tease her for days.
