Forty one

The car pulled into the underground garage of the city hospital, and Hailey and Nolan stepped out. They had come to visit Nolan's grandfather, who was admitted to the hospital. Hailey had been there once before, and despite not being warmly received by the old man, she remembered the way and offered to push his wheelchair so his assistant could return to the office.

Nolan seemed slightly hesitant, but he didn't dismiss her like he had done the other day. Hailey noticed that he was being more lenient with her now, and she could sense a newfound tolerance in him.

As they turned towards the hallway leading to the VIP wards, Nolan asked, "How have your lectures been going? Are they stressful?"

Hailey looked at him, realizing that he hadn't been around much in the past few days and wasn't aware of how her days were going. She smiled gently and replied, "Although they can be stressful, they're also very interesting. And I made a friend."

Nolan appeared surprised but didn't say anything,