After pouring out my feelings to Nick last night, I felt oddly unsettled. Early this morning, I decided to go for a run at the nearest park. I planned to spend an hour or two just running around and clearing my mind.

Lately, I've felt like I haven't been thinking for myself. For the past few months, I've let myself be carried along by others—Josh or Nick usually deciding what I should do. It's as if my brain cells have gone on vacation!

How would I revive them?

I figured a cup of coffee might help.

So, I headed to the café I'd spotted across the park.

I ordered a macchiato and a sandwich and found a seat in the far corner of the café. As I settled in, I heard a commotion near the counter. A group of girls was giggling and whispering. I tried to ignore it, but then I noticed a group of people standing in front of the counter, ordering.

I rested my chin on my hand and took a sip of my coffee. The group looked familiar—they were the same people I'd seen around campus.

Hmm... they're all quite good-looking, especially that guy.

I smiled a little at the thought, but then our eyes met. His gray eyes were the most expressive I'd ever seen, and he looked at me with a hint of annoyance.

Why?

It was as if he could hear my thoughts. He raised an eyebrow and gave me a smirk before turning his back.

"Weird," I muttered to myself and continued with my breakfast.

Before I knew it, the group was moving to a table right in front of mine. I tried to ignore them again, but it was a losing battle.

There were five of them—two girls and three boys. I could hear one of the girls giggling and teasing the guy with the gray eyes. I forced myself to focus on my food, relieved that his back was turned to me.

I took my last bite and swallowed quickly. As I prepared to leave, one of the girls, the one who had been giggling, locked eyes with me. She lifted her cup of coffee in a sort of toast.

I immediately looked away and started gathering my things, but she stood up and approached me.

"Hello!" she greeted cheerfully.

I remained poker-faced as she flashed a bright smile.

"Hmmm... I'm Brigit, and you are?" she asked, her accent catching my attention.

I heard a muffled sound, like someone suppressing a laugh.

"Ah, nice to meet you. I'm Arwen," I said, offering my right hand for a handshake.

"Oh, mo chara! Na pléisiúir file." (my friend, the pleasure's all mine) she said, stretching her arms to hug me.

Eh? What language is that?

"Irish," she explained with a smile.

"Would you like to join us for breakfast?" she asked, gently tugging me toward their table. I found myself allowing her to lead me to face the four gorgeous people seated there.

I smiled awkwardly.

"Hello, why don't you join us?" the blond guy said. I remembered him as the one who had smiled at me earlier.

"Manners," said the girl beside him, "You need to introduce yourself first, moron." She hissed at the blond guy.

"Oh, right. Sorry, I'm Roisin," he introduced himself with a smile.

"Thanks, but I'm done with mine. I'm Arwen," I said again, looking at the others. As I spoke, the gray-eyed guy stood up and walked away.

"Oh, sorry about that. He's usually like this. He's my brother, Diarmid," Brigit said, following my gaze. I shook my head, signaling that it was okay.

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"Anyway, this is Rhyian and Finn," Brigit continued, introducing me to the girl who had spoken earlier and the guy seated at the far end.

"Hello there," Finn said, giving me a small smile before returning to his book. He was, indeed, quite attractive.

To be honest, they all were.

"Care to sit with us, ...?" Rhyian asked, her dark green eyes twinkling with curiosity. She had been looking at me intently since I joined their table.

"Arwen..." I blurted out.

All of them seemed stunned for a moment, even Finn, who looked up from his book. Then Finn burst out laughing, causing everyone in the café to turn and look at us.

I felt my face flush as I watched Finn laugh uncontrollably. Brigit smacked him on the head, trying to stifle his laughter.

I couldn't understand what was so funny.

"Oh, don't mind that leathchaeann (idiot). We're just surprised by what you said. So, we can call you Arwen, then?" Rhyian asked, glaring at Finn, who was now trying to refocus on his book.

I nodded.

"Sorry about Finn. He must have read something amusing. Don't let him bother you," Brigit said, taking a sip of her drink. I smiled at her.

"By the way, I remember seeing you when we first visited the university a week ago, right?" Roisin asked, munching on his bread.

"Yeah, I think so. I remember you all," I said.

"So, Arwen, what year are you in, and what's your major?" Brigit asked.

"I'm a third-year Psychology student."

"Oh, so you're in the same major as Finn and my brother. Rhyian and I are in Literature and Music."

"And I'm in Marketing," Roisin added.

"What level are you in, Brigit?" I asked.

"Third level, same as everyone else. We were homeschooled before," Rhyian explained with a smile.

I smiled back, feeling my phone vibrate in my pocket. I took it out and saw that Nicholas was calling. As I was about to answer, I saw Diarmid, with his gray eyes now looking blue, approaching with a cup of macchiato.

He set the coffee in front of me.

"Is this for me?" I asked, confused.

"Yes, it is," he said with a dismissive tone. This was the first time I could really look into his eyes. They shifted from gray to a deep blue, and I found him strikingly handsome. His face was perfectly sculpted, with a defined jawline, a straight nose, and well-formed lips.

I was speechless.

"You can just say thank you," he said, sounding indifferent.

"Uh, thanks for the coffee, I guess. Even though I just finished mine a while ago," I said, looking away.

"Anyway, thanks, guys. I guess I'll see you around," I said, taking the coffee Diarmid had brought me.

"Oh, definitely, we'll see each other," Finn said with a grin.

I smiled back at the group and waved goodbye, though I couldn't bring myself to look directly at Diarmid.

Once back at our apartment, I set the coffee on the table and saw Nick cooking breakfast.

"Hey, I'm starving. Let's eat," Nick said, placing food on a plate.

"Yes, I got you some coffee," I replied, heading to the cupboard to grab plates.

"Do you have class today?" he asked.

"No, I'll just finish my essay."

"Well, I think we can head home after this."

"Home? Why so soon? Don't you have any parties to attend?" I asked, placing some eggs on my plate.

"Nothing planned. Mom called ten minutes ago and asked if we could come home once we're free from the university," he said, taking a sip of coffee.

"Hmm, sure," I replied, taking a bite of my eggs.

"Are you okay? Where have you been?" Nick asked.

I knew he was expressing his concern in his own way. For months, I had relied on him for everything. I smiled at him and said, "Went out jogging. I missed it."

He looked at me and smiled back. "Sorry, babe. I just got used to taking care of everything."

"No worries," I said.

We finished our breakfast in silence.

"Are you sure you closed all the windows?" I asked Nick for what felt like the tenth time.

"Yes, Mother," he replied from the kitchen.

"Hmph!" I said, closing the door to my closet and heading out of my room. I saw Nick standing by the door, busy texting.

"Come on," I said, walking toward him.

"Let's go, my lady," Nick said, draping his arm over my shoulder as we exited the apartment.

"You sure there are no parties?" I asked, looking out the window of the bus. It was almost a three-hour trip from the university to our hometown.

I didn't hear him respond, and when I looked at him, he was staring at me.

"Creepy..." I whispered.

He smiled and pinched my cheek. "Mom said she wanted to see us soon."

"But they were at our apartment last week... is something wrong, Nick?" I asked.

"Nothing's wrong. Everything's fine. Don't worry your pretty head about it," he said, closing his eyes.

I watched him quietly. Aside from Dad, he's been my strongest support. When I was overwhelmed with pain, he was my comfort. He was always there for me, even when I tried to be brave on my own. I realized now how much I needed him.

"I love you, Nick... and thank you," I whispered to myself, still watching my older brother.

"I always have your back, babe... because I love you too," he replied with a smile, eyes still closed.

I moved closer and hugged him.