48

Camille

I'm at Raventhorn University, sitting under the oak tree near the quad with Lorelai and our friends Willow and Eilish, who we met at the start of our freshman year.

We've just finished our classes for the day and are hanging out like we usually do until it's time to leave.

With the radiant afternoon sun beaming down on us, this could be the perfect day.

Three weeks ago, I would have done anything for this oh-so-normal opportunity, with normal conversations like the latest campus gossip Lorelai is filling us in on. But I have so much going on in my life, my head could implode.

Everything has come at me in a vicious circle—Alessio, Dad, the crest, Richard, and the wedding, which is now eleven days away.

In the sea of so much chaos, I've been thinking about Alessio more than anything. And I can't get him out of my head.

He's been gone now for twelve days. His trip ran over, and he's expected to return in a few days' time.

Instead of the break I thought I was going to get from him