The clamor of the dining hall faded into a low hum as Oliver St. James sat at the long table, his crimson eyes drifting across the room. He felt a jolt of recognition wash over him as he caught sight of Ravenna Blackwood. She sat with Ophelia, her emerald eyes sparkling like the leaves outside, the morning sun casting a halo around her snow-white skin. It was as if she had transformed over the summer, standing out amongst the throng of students with an elegance that was both captivating and unnerving.

Oliver couldn't shake the feeling that she had become something more—more confident, more radiant. Memories of their shared laughter and whispered secrets flooded his mind, each one a bittersweet reminder of what had once been. He recalled the summer nights spent beneath the stars, the way she had looked at him with a mixture of affection and uncertainty. He remembered telling her that he loved her, the words hanging in the air like a spell cast in the twilight.

But love had not been enough to bridge the chasm that lay between them. His parents' disapproval had loomed like a dark cloud over their relationship, casting shadows over their dreams. They had broken up, the ache of loss reverberating through his soul. The weight of his lineage pressed down on him, a constant reminder of the expectations and rules that governed their world.

As he sat there, Oliver felt a pang of longing. He wished he could go back to that summer, to the carefree moments when the world had felt full of possibilities. He glanced at Ravenna again, her laughter ringing like a chime in his ears, and he wondered if she still thought about him. Did she feel the same pull, the same ache that gnawed at him?

Across the table, Ophelia noticed the tension crackling in the air between her two friends. She had seen it in the way Ravenna's gaze lingered on Oliver, the way his expression softened whenever he caught sight of her. It was a dance of unspoken words and unresolved feelings, and Ophelia felt compelled to intervene.

"Ravenna," she whispered, nudging her friend gently. "You should talk to Oliver. There's something between you two that's still there."

Ravenna turned to Ophelia, her brow furrowed in confusion. "What do you mean?"

Ophelia leaned in closer, her voice barely above a whisper. "I can see it, Rave. The way you look at him, and the way he looks at you. It's like you're both trying to pretend it doesn't matter, but it does. You need to follow your heart."

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Ravenna bit her lip, uncertainty swirling within her. "But what about our families? They'll never accept it. They'll never accept us."

"Who cares?" Ophelia replied, her eyes sparkling with determination. "Love is stronger than lineage. You can't let your parents' rules dictate your happiness. You deserve to be with who you want, not who they want."

Before Ravenna could respond, Axel St. James, sitting nearby, turned his attention to the conversation. He had been listening intently, his golden eyes flicking between the two girls. "Ophelia's right, Ravenna," he said, his voice steady and reassuring. "Oliver 's feelings for you never faded. He's just as confused as you are."

Ravenna's heart raced at Axel's words. "How do you know?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Because I know my brother," Axel replied, leaning forward slightly. "He's always had a soft spot for you. You two belong together, and you shouldn't let anyone else dictate what that looks like."

The weight of Axel's words settled heavily on Ravenna's shoulders. She felt the flutter of hope mixed with fear. Could she really defy the expectations that had been placed upon her? The thought of rekindling her relationship with Oliver sent a shiver down her spine, both thrilling and terrifying.

As she glanced back at Oliver, she saw him talking animatedly with a group of students, but his gaze kept drifting back to her. It was a subtle dance of glances, a silent conversation that only they could understand. Ravenna felt her breath catch in her throat, the memories of their shared moments flooding back—stolen kisses in the moonlight, whispered promises that had lingered in the air like the scent of blooming flowers.

"Do you think he still loves me?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.

Ophelia nodded, her expression earnest. "I can feel it, Rave. And I think you feel it too. You just need to take that leap of faith."

Axel chimed in, his tone encouraging. "What's the worst that could happen? You talk to him, and either he feels the same way, or you find closure. But you owe it to yourself to find out."

Ravenna took a deep breath, the weight of their words settling in her heart. She had always been the dutiful daughter, the one who followed the rules and adhered to the expectations of her lineage. But as she looked at Ophelia and Axel, she realized that perhaps it was time to carve her own path, to embrace her own desires.

With newfound determination, she stood up from the table, her heart pounding in her chest. "I need to talk to him," she declared, her voice steady.

Ophelia beamed at her, and Axel gave her an approving nod. "Go get him, Ravenna," he encouraged.

As she made her way across the dining hall, the world around her faded into a blur. She could feel the eyes of her classmates on her, but all that mattered was Oliver. The moment she reached him, she felt a rush of adrenaline, a mixture of fear and excitement coursing through her veins.

"Oliver," she called, her voice breaking through the noise.

He turned to her, surprise flickering across his face. "Ravenna?"

Their eyes locked, and for a moment, the world around them disappeared. The laughter and chatter faded into silence, leaving only the two of them standing in the midst of their shared history.

"Can we talk?" she asked, her heart racing.

Oliver nodded, his expression shifting from surprise to something more serious. "Yeah, of course."

As they stepped away from the bustling dining hall, Ravenna felt the weight of the moment settle upon her. This was it—the chance to confront their past, to explore the feelings that had lingered between them like a ghost refusing to fade. She took a deep breath, ready to embrace whatever came next, ready to follow her heart into the unknown.