The edges of the books were worn. The backpack hanging from her shoulder had been repaired so many times that different shades of thread crossed its fabric like scars. Yet she carried herself with quiet determination. She looked exhausted. Not because she was lazy, because life never gave her a chance to rest. “Here comes your girl again,” the waitress teased as she placed a coffee on Lucas’s table. Lucas smiled faintly.
“She’s not my girl. Maybe not yet. If only it were that simple.” Outside, Hannah checked the time and quickened her pace. She had already been awake for 4 hours. Before sunrise, she cleaned offices downtown. After classes, she would work at a diner until nearly midnight. Then she would study before sleeping a few hours and doing it all over again.
Most people would have given up. Hannah never did. Lucas watched her disappear through the college gates. The familiar ache returned to his chest. Three years. Three entire years. Three years since he first saw her. Three years since a single moment changed everything. His fingers tightened around the coffee cup as the memory resurfaced.
