The beginning of forever

27 - England

Becky's POV

"I think we'll finish the research paper just in time before the Christmas break." Engfa declared

With a determined look in her eyes, Friend added, "We've been putting in a lot of effort, and our progress is promising. If we keep up this pace and stay focused, we'll definitely have it ready before the break." She sounded both confident and relieved, knowing that meeting their deadline was crucial for their academic goals.

We've been working tirelessly, conducting experiments, collecting data, and analyzing results, and now, with the finish line in sight, our determination grew stronger.

I chimed in, "Let's make a detailed schedule for the remaining tasks to ensure we stay on track. If we plan our work efficiently and support each other, there's no doubt we can complete this paper successfully."

Amidst our ongoing discussion, my phone buzzed with a message from Freen. She was asking my whereabouts, having just finished her last class.

I replied, "Hey babe, I'm currently in a meeting with the research team in the council office. We'll be wrapping up soon. Where should we meet up afterward?"

She replied, "I'll head over to your there instead, wait for me." As I read her message, my gaze instinctively shifted to the sunflower positioned prominently on the center table, a sense of worry creeping over me.

My anxiety must have been evident, as Engfa asked me, "Hey Beck, are you okay? You suddenly look pale, as if you've seen a ghost." Her concern was evident in her voice, and I realized I needed to conceal it.

I managed a weak smile, attempting to brush off my anxiety. "I'm fine, Engfa," I replied, " Yeah, just got lost in thought for a second. No worries. You know how these research discussions can get intense." Engfa nodded understandingly, but I couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that had gripped me.

In response to Freen, I kept it casual, saying, " Sure, See you soon!"

In just a few minutes, Freen arrived at the council office, her face beaming with a bright smile. "Hey, babe!" she greeted me warmly and kissed me on the temple, and I couldn't help but return her smile. She also greeted Engfa and Friend with a nod and a tap on their shoulders.

"I'll just be in the table waiting, don't mind me, girls," she added with a playful wink.

Engfa reassured her, saying, "Yeah, we're wrapping it up anyways. You won't have to wait for long." The atmosphere in the room remained light and friendly as we continued our discussion.

Silent anxiety began to creep over me, especially with Freen seated just in front of the flower. It felt as though those darned flowers might whisper tales to her, stirring an unease I couldn't quite shake.

"Come on, Beck, let's finish this up. I've also got a date afterward," Friend exclaimed, snapping me back into the focus of our discussion. With that motivation, we pushed forward to conclude our meeting.

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Freen's POV

Sitting on the couch and waiting for my girlfriend, I couldn't help but overhear Friend say, " Come on, Beck, let's finish this up. I've also got a date afterward."

I scanned through some newsletters and magazines on the table as I waited for Becky. Occasionally, I caught her gazing at me with a hint of unease.

Perhaps she was concerned that I might be bored waiting for her, so I responded by sending her a warm smile and a thumbs up to reassure her that I was fine and content while she finished her meeting.