Chapter 873


    Michael was already up.


    Across the room, Alyssa was curled up in bed, feigning interest in a novel.


    “Come on, Alyssa, join us,” urged Julia with a friendly nudge.


    Alyssa pouted, “No way. I''m not going to be the third wheel. You two go ahead.” A hidden discontent


    simmered within Alyssa.


    This weekend had been hard-won; she had pleaded with her dad to let her stay on campus. She had


    even bought a cake for a celebration, only for it to be spoiled by a mischievous rascal.


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    “Cut it out, Alyssa,” Julia chided lightheartedly. “Didn’t you buy a birthday cake? Let’s take it with us and


    dig in.”


    Eventually, Alyssa relented and joined them.


    Michael had initially intended to climb a tree to make his way back, but Julia gave him a stern talking-


    to. Alyssa had never seen Julia so serious and intimidating. Despite the scolding, Michael just


    chuckled, unbothered. Finally, even Julia couldn’t keep up her stern demeanor.


    To cover their tracks, Alyssa small-talked with the dorm supervisor, distracting her.


    While the supervisor was preupied, Julia took Michael''s hand and they slipped out of the girls'' dorm


    discreetly.


    By then, the night had crept in.


    The three ventured to a nearby diner renowned for its authentic fried chicken.


    For Alyssa, it was a first, but she took to the vor instantly.


    During the meal, Alyssaplimented, “Who knew such a dive could serve up something this


    delicious?”


    Michael snorted, “It’s a dive to a debutante like you, but for folks like us, it’s as grand as a five-star


    hotel.”


    Alyssa rolled her eyes at him and then brought out the cake. It was the priciest buttercream cake


    around.


    She exined, “I got it from an Italian bakery. The cream is all imported and it''s simply divine. Happy


    birthday, Julia.”


    Julia was overjoyed. “Thank you, Alyssa.”


    Alyssa also presented Julia with a delicate diamond bracelet. Julia, feeling it was too extravagant,


    initially refused.


    Alyssa yfully showed off her matching bracelet, “I bought them as a pair. I can’t possibly wear both,


    so I’m gifting one to you. It symbolizes our friendship, Julia—unbreakable and evesting, just like


    diamonds.”


    Finally, Julia epted the gift.


    Alyssa eagerly helped her put on the bracelet and then, with a hint of mischief, unted it in front of


    Michael. “As her boyfriend, you didn’t even get her a little gift. Don’t you feel a bit guilty? We girls don’t


    care about the price tag; it’s the thought that counts. You should have prepared something.”


    Alyssa''s mind was clouded with the romantic notions she had gleaned from novels.


    She had held onto the belief that a small token from Michael could have mended things, but it never


    came. Worse still, when it came time to settle the bill, it was Julia who reached for her wallet.


    Witnessing this, Alyssa was on the verge of losing her temper.


    The term "cad" from the romance novels seemed fitting for Michael in her eyes.


    Yet Julia seemed utterly unfazed, as if all this were normal. Alyssa thought her foolish.


    Later, as Michael escorted them back to the dorm, he turned to Alyssa, “You go on up, girl. I want to


    spend a moment alone with Julia.”