Bye-Bye Jerk, Hello Mr. Right

I gripped the admission letter, hending to find Yuna. She was a kindergarten teacher now, surrounded by little giggling kids. Her laugh mixed with theirs, so bright and full of life it was hard not to smile.

For a second, I froze. Was this really the right move? Pushing her to go back to school when she seemed so happy here?

“Keira!” Yuna called, jogging over once the kids were settled. Her cheeks were flushed, and sweat dotted her forehead and nose. “If you hadn’t come today, I was totally about to hunt you down this weekend!”

I handed her a tissue, shaking my head. “You’ve been running around like crazy. Are you sure you’re feeling okay? No weird pains or anything?”

“Not a thing! I feel amazing,” she said with a bright smile, pressing a hand over her chest. “This heart feels like it’s really mine now–it’s been so good to me.”

Her words made me think of Narelle and Wade, and all the complicated feelings Wade couldn’t quite put into words.

“So, you and Wade?” I asked, jumping right in.

Yuna was caught off guard, her cheeks turning a shade that could rival a strawberry. “It’s… still the same,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Yuna,” I said softly, “I know you think Wade’s amazing, but someday, you’re going to meet other incredible people, and… you might see things differently.” I wasn’t trying to kill her crush, just giving her a little reality check.

If Wade’s feelings were only tied to the heart she now carried, I couldn’t bear the thought of how much it might hurt her if she ever found out.

“That won’t happen,” Yuna said firmly, her gaze locking on mine. “I like Wade, not because of his looks or how smart he is, but because…”

She trailed off, shaking her head with a small, almost dreamy smile. “Because from the moment I met him, it felt like I’d known him forever. Like, in some past life or something. There’s this connection I just can’t explain.”

Her words made my eyes drift to her chest. She and Wade had only met after her

surgery–after her heart transplant. ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

Could this bond she felt with him come from the heart itself?

The thought gave me chills. It sounded ridiculous. A heart was just an organ, a pump. Yuna was Yuna–her own person with her own feelings. But still, what she said… it didn’t fit into neat little boxes.

“Keira?” Yuna’s voice pulled me back. “You don’t like Wade, do you?” Her eyes searched mine. “Or do you think he’s not good for me?”

“No, it’s not that,” I said quickly, hoping to ease the tension. “I’m just worried you’re rushing into this. You’re still young, Yuna. What if later, you meet the person you’re really meant to be with and regret falling so hard so fast?”

Before she could respond, I reached into my bag and pulled out the admission letter, holding it out to her.

не

Her widened as they locked on the logo and the name on the envelope.” Wait… is this-?”

I grinned and motioned for her to open it. “Go ahead. See for yourself.”

She tore open the envelope, her eyes going wide as she saw her name printed in bold. “This… this is for me? My name’s on it!”

“Yep, it’s all yours. Congrats, Yuna–you’re officially a student at Kelhmark Royal Academy,” I said, holding out my hand with a grin.

Yuna stared at the letter in disbelief before throwing herself into my arms, wrapping her arms tightly around my neck. “I got into KRA! This isn’t a dream, right? Tell me I’m not dreaming!”

Her laugh came out choked, half–sob, half–joy, and a few nearby kids started staring. I patted her back. “Not a dream. It’s real, Yuna. You’re going to KRA. But, uh, maybe dial it down a notch? Your students are starting to look worried.”

She hugged me even tighter, practically vibrating with excitement, and then out of nowhere, she blurted, “Keira, tell Hayden I love him to death!”

I froze.

Wait. What? Did she think this was Hayden’s doing?

“Hayden told me this year, no matter what I’d get into KRA,” she explained, her voice full of quiet certainty.

He’d made her a promise, and somehow, I ended up keeping it for him.

A bittersweet smile tugged at my lips. “Hayden always kept his word,” I said softly.

“I haven’t talked to him in forever,” Yuna said, her excitement dimming into something gentler, more nostalgic. “Call him for me, Keira. There’s something I want to tell him.‘

Her request hit me like a punch to the gut