Chapter 12 The Dance Department's workload was heavier than she'd expected. Every morning, Sloane and her classmates were already in the practice room stretching, opening shoulders, and repeating the same dry yet necessary fundamental movements. Her training clothes were often soaked with sweat. Afternoons were filled with endless rehearsal sequences. Her body was exhausted, yet strangely, her heart felt at peace. All those painful memories buried deep within her-things she had tried hard not to touch-were, for the moment, kept at bay. Her roommates were wonderful. They went together to the loud and crowded dining hall, stayed up late whispering gossip after lights-out, and when Sloane occasionally sat quietly staring out the window, they knew better than to disturb her. Instead, one of them would gently place a cup of warm milk tea on her desk without a word. That kind of companionship-respectful, present, and never invasive-made Sloane feel both comforted and grateful. The Dance Society held two weekly sessions. Eli, as the club president, showed up almost every time. He wasn't a dance major, but a third-year Computer Science student with a demanding schedule. Whenever he appeared in the practice room, he usually had a black laptop bag slung over his shoulder, like he had just rushed over from the lab or the library. There was something remarkably mature and thoughtful about the way he handled things. He always arranged the space in advance, checked the sound system, brought disposable cups for those who forgot their water bottles, and during breaks, he'd casually mention helpful campus tips or interesting tidbits. "For next semester's electives, Professor Davis' 'History of Western Art' is highly recommended. Fair grader, not too hard to get into." "The window seats in Library Section A have the most outlets-good for people needing to use their laptops for long periods." "The custard at the dessert place outside the south gate is authentic, but it gets crowded on weekends." He never pried into Sloane's past, never tried to cross any lines. His help was always just enough-never too much. Chapter 12 54.55% One evening, after a club session, it suddenly began to pour. Sloane was about to use her jacket to shield her head and make a run for it when a large black umbrella silently appeared in front of her. It was Eli. He shook the other umbrella in his hand. "I brought two. Take the bigger one. The rain's too heavy for this little guy." Sloane blinked, caught off guard, and instinctively started to decline. "I'm heading to the library anyway. It's on the way," he said, as if seeing her hesitation, giving her a reason she couldn't refuse without feeling burdened. "Just return it at the next club meeting." "...Thanks, Eli." Sloane took the umbrella, still warm from his hand. "No problem." He smiled, opened his umbrella, and walked into the downpour. Sloane made her way back to the dorm under the sturdy umbrella. The rain pattered rhythmically above her head. There was a lightness in her chest she hadn't felt in a long time. Like the air after the rain-cool, fresh, and unburdened. There was no need to second-guess every word, no cold-and-hot emotional games, no suffocating control or possessiveness. What there was-was respect, kindness, and clearly drawn boundaries. It made her feel safe. It made her start to believe-maybe, just maybe there really was a vast, open world outside the shadows that had consumed her adolescence. She began to participate more actively in the club. When she ran into trouble picking electives, she remembered Eli's suggestions and gave them a try. Sometimes they'd run into each other on campus. She'd nod first, maybe even make small talk about the weather or their classes. There were still nights when the emptiness crept back in-hazy, inexplicable-but the pain was slowly becoming less sharp, less immediate. Chapter 12 54.55%