DON’T STOP (Lila and Darrell) novel Chapter 83

Chapter 83

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The lecture hall the withering that morning. The professor’s voice droned on about supply-side economics, graphs Sering on the sergerson tax home of its reached me. I sat near the middle row, pen frozen in my hand, staring blankly at *** The whispers started behind mes

The yon bear Me Buck you bred”

“The New called it inappropriate conduct after that hug video went around.”

mene you in the final year group chat. They said it was unprofessional.”

My stomach fropped vom I thought I’d be sick. He was fired? Because of me. Because of that one moment when I’d been

happy cot bold it in

1 x up water tucky

My chant scraped loudly against the floor. Heads turned. The professor paused mid-sentence, eyebrows raised in shock- Mitmeone actually leaning class without permission was rare.

1 didn’t care

1 grahad my bay, slung it over my shoulder, and pushed past the row of knees and backpacks. Whispers followed me down the and the okay?” “That’s Bella, right?”–but I didn’t stop. I burst through the door into the hallway. The fluorescent lights were too bright. The air felt too thin.

Tran

Down the corridor, past bulletin boards covered in flyers, down the stairs, across the quad. My lungs burned. My sandals slapped the pavement Tears already blurred my vision, but didn’t slow down.

I had to see him. I had to know if it was true. If he was packing up. If he was leaving without a word.

When I reached his building. I took the stairs two at a time. My breath came in short, painful gasps. The hallway outside his door was quiet-too quiet. I pushed the door open without knocking

Empay

Completely empty.

No books on the shelves. No papers on the desk. No coffee mug. No nameplate. Just bare walls and a single chair pushed neatly under the desk

Tears spilled over instantly, hot and fast. Why would he leave without telling me? Why would he disappear like I didn’t matter? Like the past few weeks-holding me while I cried, sleeping beside me, being the only person who didn’t make ine feel broken meant nothing!

“Look, he’s down there” someone said behind me. A small group of students had gathered near the railing, peering over.

Phones were out

I leaned forward, gripping the metal so hard my knuckles turned white. There he was, Darrell, walking across the parking lot below, carrying a cardboard box. His shoulders were straight, but his steps looked heavy. The box tilted slightly in his arms,

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My Wrapped arumind his heck My baby collided with this. He wasked back see ury. Conja the trund the waasts and held he hught so I wouldnal. The bare did off the banned and that fee grenaid was a dull hund Papers waltered across the asphalt

“It’s my fault, right?” I choked out against his shoulder. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry”

“What?” He muttered, confused. He pulled back just enough to look at my face. His hands came up to cup my cheeks. thumbs wiping away the tears that were already falling. “Why would you be sorry?”

“I heard you got fired because of me,” I said. My voice broke on every word. “Because of that hug in the quad. If only 1 hadn’t if only I didn’t jump on you like that. And look-“I laughed, wet and shaky. “I hugged you again. Right here. In front of everyone

He stared at me for a second. Then he chuckled softly and low, the sound rumbling through his chest.

“Him” he said. “It’s not funny” I pouted, bottom lip trembling.

But he smiled wider gentle, warm, the kind of smile that made my stomach flip even through the tears.

“No, baby,” he said quietly. “It’s not your fault. None of it is your fault.”

“You liar.” I hissed.

He came closer, his hand gently caressing the side of my face. The warmth of his palm felt like the only real thing in the world right then

“I promise that I wasn’t fired,” he said softly. “I actually resigned. Dropped my letter yesterday, and my office was cleared out Farlier day。

“Really? My voice came out small, almost a whisper

He nodded, eyes steady on mine. “I promise.”

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8:57 am MMM

Chapter 83-

frownell, the ache in my chest twisting tighter. “But why didn’t you tell me? Why didn’t you tell me you were going to esign?

“I’m so sorry,” he said quietly. I just wanted to explain it later. I didn’t want you to overthink it, or worry, or feel like it was your fault. You’ve already been through enough.”

I sighed softly and nodded, the tension in my shoulders easing just a little. He was right. I had been drowning in grief and guilt for weeks. The last thing I needed was more weight on my heart.

“So are you done with classes?” he asked, changing the subject gently.

I sighed again. “Not really. That’s not even class anymore. We’re done with the whole session, remember? We’re just being taught what to do during graduation day-rehearsals, protocol, all that.”

“Then you shouldn’t be here,” he said with a small smile. “Go quickly and learn a few rules and that. We’ll talk later.”

I nodded and started to wave goodbye, but just as I took a step, I stopped. Turned back to him. Without thinking, I leaned up on my toes and pressed a soft kiss to his cheek.

He looked stunned for a second, his eyes widening.

I smiled shyly. “You’ve resigned anyway. And we’re grown adults. So I can kiss you, right?”

He smirked and shook his head, that familiar playful glint returning to his eyes. “But that’s not a kiss, Bella.”

“Huh?” I whispered.

He pulled me closer slowly and gently, his hand sliding to the small of my back. Then he lowered his head and landed his lips on mine.

The kiss was soft at first, almost tentative, like he was giving me time to pull away. But I didn’t. I melted into him. His mouth moved against mine with quiet hunger, our lips parting, tongue brushing lightly against mine before slipping inside. I tasted him warmly and familiarly, a little salty from the day. Our tongues met, slow and deep, sliding together in a gentle rhythm that made my knees weak. His other hand came up to cradle the back of my neck, fingers threading into my hair, holding me like I was something precious. I sighed into his mouth, my hands sliding up his chest, fingers curling into his shirt.

He kissed me like he had all the time in the world, like the parking lot, the whispers, and the scattered papers around our feet didn’t exist. Just us. Just this.

When he finally broke the kiss, it took a long moment for me to open my eyes. We were both breathing faintly, foreheads resting together, lips still close enough to feel each other’s exhales.

“Now that’s a kiss,” he whispered.

I smiled shyly.

Immediately, cheers erupted around us.

I blinked and looked around.

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