Chapter Eight: Hugging Kevon 

The weekend passed in a blur of books and notes as I settled into my new apartment. It was a quiet refuge, a place where I could focus on my studies without the constant worry about my parents’ financial struggles. Jesse’s words about maintaining a strict professor-student relationship echoed in my mind. He could still send me out of his class if he wanted, so I had to be careful. I spent most of my time buried in my Business Administration coursework, determined to excel.

When Monday morning arrived, I woke up early and dressed quickly, opting for a short blue flare gown and tying my hair into a messy bun. The proximity of my new apartment to the university made the commute significantly easier, and I felt a small sense of relief as I walked to class. The hall was still scanty with few students, all thanks to my closer apartment.

As I entered the Business Administration lecture hall, I made a conscious decision to avoid sitting in the front row. The last thing I wanted was to draw J