Girl from Parallel universe -Part 1

23 | Longing Hearts

Grace hesitated for a moment, her mind racing with thoughts of what she was about to ask. "Are you going to be okay?" she blurted out, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

Olivia raised an eyebrow, a playful grin spreading across her face. "You're making me nervous, Grace," she teased. "What's on your mind?"

Summoning her courage, Grace took a deep breath and plunged into the heart of the matter. "What do you think about Lucas?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Olivia's expression softened, a thoughtful frown creasing her brow. "Honestly? I never really liked him that way," she admitted. "It was Hazel who made me feel like I did."

"Hazel?" Grace echoed, her mind reeling with the implications of Olivia's words.

"Yeah," Olivia continued, her voice tinged with regret. "She liked him, but she made me feel like I did too. It's complicated."

A knowing smile tugged at Grace's lips as she realized the truth behind Olivia's words. "I had a feeling," she confessed, her heart swelling with gratitude for her friend's honesty.

Once Grace was assured that none of her words will hurt Olivia even a bit , she narrated the last night's event to her.

Without missing a beat, Olivia jumped up from her chair, her eyes shining with excitement. "Come on," she said, grabbing Grace's hand and pulling her towards the her walk-in closet. "We've got work to do."

As they sifted through the racks of dresses , Olivia created a pile of clothes on floor. "We need to hurry," she declared. "This is definitely a proposal, and you need to look your best."

Grace tried on dozens of dresses, each one more beautiful than the last, but none of them felt quite right. It wasn't until Olivia pulled out a white knee-length dress that Grace's eyes lit up with recognition.

"Try this one," Olivia urged, handing Grace the dress with a knowing smile.

Grace slipped into the dress and stepped out of the dressing room, her heart pounding with anticipation. Olivia's eyes widened in delight as she took in Grace's appearance, her smile growing wider by the second.

"It's perfect," Olivia breathed, her voice filled with awe. "You look perfect."

Grace approached the mirror, her heart fluttering in her chest as she took in her reflection. The layers of her wolfcut cascaded over her shoulders, framing her face in soft waves. The white fabric hugged her waist, accentuating her curves and giving her an air of elegance.

For the first time in a long time, Grace felt beautiful, confident, and like a normal girl.

Grace changed into her usual clothes as she and Olivia walked straight from staff quarters to selected student's apartment carrying lots of bags. Olivia spent hours working on Grace's hairs and selecting the perfect Jewelleries for her perfect look.

Once she was done , Grace walked towards mirror to look at her self, she was left in awe the moment she saw herself dressed as a girl , more femine than she can ever imagine. The small XO pandent hung on her neckline , the golden ring shining bright on her index finger, the golden bracelet on her wrist , the pair of heels Olivia insisted her to put on. The white fabric made her curves highlight.

**

The rooftop of their hostel apartments was a sanctuary of solitude amidst the bustling chaos of their daily lives. As Kai ascended the stairs, each step felt heavier than the last, laden with the weight of the conversation he was about to have with Grace. His heart pounded in his chest, echoing the uncertainty that clouded his mind.

With only two stairs left, Kai paused, his breath caught in his throat. He closed his eyes briefly, summoning the courage to face Grace, to deliver the news that threatened to alter the course of their friendship. Inhaling deeply, he climbed the final steps and emerged onto the rooftop, his eyes immediately drawn to Grace standing at the other end.

She wore a white dress that swayed gently in the breeze, its hem brushing against her knees. Kai's heart skipped a beat at the sight of her, the ethereal glow of the moon casting a soft halo around her figure. For a moment, he forgot the purpose of his visit, captivated by the sheer beauty of her presence.

As he approached her, Kai's mind raced with thoughts of what this conversation could lead to. He stopped behind her, his throat constricting with nervousness, and cleared his throat before speaking. "Grace," he began, his voice barely above a whisper, "I... I need to talk to you."

Grace turned at the sound of his voice, a warm smile lighting up her face. "Oh, Kai," she said, her voice tinged with relief, "I'm so glad you're here." But her words faltered as she registered the expression on Kai's face, her smile fading into confusion. "What's wrong?"

Kai hesitated, his eyes meeting hers, and he felt a pang of guilt at the hurt he was about to cause. "You should go back to your apartment," he said finally, his voice steady but laced with regret.

Confusion clouded Grace's features as she furrowed her brow. "Why?" she asked, her voice tinged with concern.

Kai took a deep breath, steeling himself for her reaction. "Lucas... he's not coming," he said, the words hanging heavily in the air between them.

Grace's expression shifted, her features falling as if the weight of the world had suddenly descended upon her shoulders. She blinked back tears, her smile fading into a mask of sadness. "Oh," she whispered, her voice barely audible above the gentle rustle of the wind.

Kai's heart ached at the sight of her pain, his own emotions swirling in turmoil. "Are you okay?" he asked softly, reaching out to touch her arm.

Grace forced a smile, though it was tinged with sorrow. "I'm fine," she replied, her voice wavering slightly. But her eyes betrayed the facade, shimmering with unshed tears.

Silence enveloped them, broken only by the distant hum of the city below. Kai longed to say something, anything to ease Grace's pain, but the words eluded him. Instead, he watched helplessly as she turned away, her shoulders slumped with defeat.

With one last glance over her shoulder, Grace offered Kai a sad smile before disappearing through the door leading back to their apartments. Left alone on the rooftop, Kai felt a sense of emptiness wash over him, a hollow ache in the pit of his stomach.

**