Chapter 96

As Megan pulled up to the curb, ready for the tour, Abigail turned to Emma one last time before heading off. She cupped Emma’s face gently and leaned in for a warm, lingering kiss—slow and sweet, the kind that said I’ll miss you, even if it’s just for a few hours.

When she pulled back, she rested her hand over Emma’s belly, fingers spreading protectively. “I’ll see you in a few, mama,” Abigail murmured with a smile, rubbing soft circles against her bump.

Emma’s cheeks flushed, heart doing that fluttery thing it always did around Abigail. “Have fun. Don’t let Megan get you lost.”

“No promises,” Abigail said with a wink, then jogged over to slide into the passenger seat of Megan’s car.

As the car pulled away, Emma stood there for a second, holding her belly with one hand, smiling softly.

Ashley walked up beside her with a stretch and a yawn. “Soooo… movie marathon until they get back?”

Emma nodded immediately. “Yes, please. Something light. I don’t have the energy for drama right now.”

“Rom-coms it is.” Ashley slung an arm around her shoulders as they walked to the car. “Popcorn, snacks, a comfy blanket… we’re gonna be horizontal and emotionally unavailable until further notice.”

Emma laughed. “Deal.”

__________

The sun filtered through the tree-lined paths of Columbia’s campus, casting golden light over the historic brick buildings and wide green spaces. Abigail walked beside Megan, her eyes wide as she took in every detail—the way the students lounged on the grass with laptops, the buzz of conversation drifting from open cafés, and the sound of a live violin playing somewhere off in the distance.

Megan glanced over and smiled. “Big first impression, huh?”

Abigail nodded, adjusting the strap of her crossbody bag. “It’s… surreal. Like, I’ve seen it in movies and photos, but being here? It feels real now.”

Megan chuckled. “That’s how I felt on my first day. Like I was stepping into some prestigious teen drama set.” She nudged Abigail’s arm playfully. “Except now you’re the hot new character.”

Abigail laughed, cheeks a little warm. “You’re ridiculous.”

“Accurate, though.”

They walked past the music building, Megan pointing out landmarks and sharing bits of gossip and insight—where to get the best coffee, which professors had the chillest vibes, which building had air conditioning that never worked.

Eventually, they reached the athletic complex. Megan tapped her badge to get in, and the doors swung open to reveal a high-ceilinged gym echoing with the sound of squeaky sneakers and the rhythmic thump of basketballs hitting the hardwood.

“Come on,” Megan said, motioning her inside. “I wanna introduce you to some of the squad.”

Abigail followed her into the brightly lit space, where three women were mid-practice—running drills, laughing, passing the ball back and forth with practiced ease. They looked like a solid crew, all decked out in Columbia colors, sweat gleaming on their skin, competitive energy radiating off them.

As they approached, one of the girls—tall, with deep brown skin and curly hair pulled into a puff—grinned and jogged over. “Megan! Who’s this?”

“This is Abigail,” Megan said, slinging an arm around her shoulder casually. “She’s my new neighbor, just moved into the building with her girlfriend.”

Abigail gave a polite little wave, a friendly smile tugging at her lips. “Hey.”

“You starting here this semester?” one of the girls asked.

“Yeah, music program,” Abigail replied. “Piano and guitar mostly, but I dabble in a little songwriting too.”

“Oh, she’s fancy,” another girl teased with a grin, bumping Megan with her shoulder. “Megan bringing in the artists now.”

Another teammate dribbled over with a raised brow. “Penthouse? Fancy neighbor alert. You play ball too?”

Abigail smirked. “I dabble.”

“Ohhh, she’s spicy,” the first girl laughed. “I like her already.”

Megan rolled her eyes playfully. “Be nice. She’s got that freshman glow still. Don’t scare her off.”

They exchanged a round of introductions—Simone, the team’s unofficial captain and queen of trash talk, and Jay, who had a smile like sunshine and a surprisingly shy demeanor once the ball wasn’t in her hands.

“You play?” Simone asked Abigail, bouncing the ball to her.

“Not since high school, but I’ve got a decent jump shot.”

“Show us,” Jay said, backing up and tossing Abigail the ball.

Abigail glanced at Megan, who nodded toward the hoop. “Come on. No pressure.”

She stepped to the three-point line, dribbled once, and let it fly.

Swish.

Simone let out a low whistle. “Ohhh, okay! Neighbor’s got skills. Might have to draft you for intramurals.”

Abigail grinned and tossed the ball back. “Only if it doesn’t mess with my piano fingers.”

The girls laughed, and just like that, Abigail felt it—that flicker of belonging. Like maybe this huge, intimidating place could start to feel like hers too.

Megan stepped beside her, nudging her shoulder. “Told you it wasn’t so scary.”

Abigail glanced around the gym one more time, heart full and nerves fading. “You were right.”

As the girls drifted back toward the court to finish warm-ups, Megan turned to Abigail. “You good?”

“Yeah,” Abigail said, looking around the gym. “I actually feel… excited. Like, this is really happening.”

Megan nodded. “It is. First semester’s a trip, but once you find your people, it gets easier.”

Abigail glanced back toward the court. “Think I could find my people here?”

“I already see it happening,” Megan said. “And hey, you got me. I’ll show you where the good vending machines are and which professor to avoid before 10 AM.”

They started walking again, slower this time. Megan pointed out where the music department was located across the green, the nearest late-night coffee spot, and where the best seats in the student lounge were.

As they passed the large Columbia crest embedded in the stone walkway, Abigail paused and looked down at it. She let out a breath she didn’t know she was holding.

“This is gonna change my life, huh?”

Megan smiled. “Yeah. But in a good way.”

___________

The apartment settled into a soft, golden quiet—one that only existed when the errands were done, the shoes were off, and the city outside could do whatever it wanted while you curled up in your little bubble of peace.

Emma and Ashley had just returned, the sunlight trailing in through the balcony doors, painting lazy stripes across the hardwood. The shopping bags were long gone, replaced with pajama pants, messy buns, and two matching mugs of tea Emma had insisted on steeping herself.

“I vote we dive into cheesy rom-coms,” Emma declared as she settled onto the couch and tucked a throw blanket around her legs.

Ashley raised an eyebrow. “You’re sure? Because if I cry at another ‘rainy airport kiss’ scene, I’m blaming your hormones.”

Emma smirked. “Oh, you’ll cry, alright. But you’ll thank me for it later.”

Ashley returned with a bowl of popcorn bigger than either of their heads and two sparkling waters with slices of lemon. “Alright, I’m in. Let’s emotionally damage ourselves, one cliché at a time.”

The first movie began—something with a meet-cute in a bakery and a broody love interest who clearly had no business being that emotionally repressed. By the time the second act rolled around, both women were quoting lines, arguing over who should’ve made the first move, and tossing popcorn at the screen like seasoned critics.

“This guy?” Ashley scoffed. “He ghosted her for two months and thinks showing up with flowers fixes everything?”

Emma laughed so hard she had to wipe tears from her eyes. “Girl, I’m just here for the kiss in the rain. Let me have this.”

Ashley leaned over and nudged her playfully. “You’re so lucky you got Abigail. That woman would never ghost anyone—she’d show up with flowers, a playlist, and a 5-minute speech that ruins all future men.”

Emma sighed happily, her eyes softening. “Yeah. She’s my rom-com ending. No slow burn. Just… her.”

A pause settled between them—sweet, warm, not awkward in the slightest.

Ashley smiled. “You two make it easy to believe in love, you know that?”

Emma looked down at her belly, then over to Ashley with a grin. “Even with the mood swings, foot cramps, and late-night cravings?”

“Especially with all that,” Ashley said, tossing another piece of popcorn in her mouth. “Real love is popcorn, foot rubs, and letting someone cry over the same rom-com for the fifth time.”

Emma reached over and squeezed her hand, heart full. “Thanks for hanging out today. It means more than you know.”

Ashley leaned her head on Emma’s shoulder, letting out a small sigh. “This has been my favorite errand day in a long time.”