The days passed quickly, slipping through their fingers like grains of sand. Between thesis deadlines, project defenses, and back-to-back meetings for the Hillwood Investment Club, Selene and Sebastian should have been overwhelmed. And sometimes, they were. But they made a promise—one they held onto despite the chaos of their final university months: to make the most of every free moment together.
It started with coffee breaks that turned into shared silence on the HQ’s rooftop. Sometimes, they’d bring sandwiches and sit on the grass near the Pavilion, watching students rush by while talking about nothing and everything. Their moments were simple, but they were real. A quiet hand on the back. A teasing remark. A shared laugh that cut through the fatigue.
Despite their different class schedules, they found ways to sync. Selene’s load was lighter—thanks to her advanced credits from Central City University—so she would often wait for Sebastian after his late classes. Sometimes she’d surprise him with his favorite snack. Other times, he’d find her dozing off on the clubroom couch, architecture blueprints splayed across her lap.
Sebastian always made sure to wake her gently. A soft whisper. A kiss on the forehead. Then he’d sit beside her, pulling her head onto his shoulder until her eyes fluttered open.
“You shouldn’t be the one waiting,” he’d say.
“And miss this? Never,” she’d reply, eyes half-closed but smiling.
The Hillwood Investment Club was still thriving under their leadership. The Pavilion was running smoothly, now considered the university’s crown jewel. They organized quarterly showcases, inviting companies and alumni to witness student talents in real-time. Sebastian handled partnerships and negotiations with firms, while Selene focused on logistics, design upgrades, and Pavilion maintenance.
The club’s growth was undeniable, and yet, change was near.
They had only two months left until graduation. The transition had to begin. Soon, they would pass on the torch to the two remaining original members—Kairo and Lana—who were still juniors but had proven their capability time and again.
Selene spent hours preparing handover notes, compiling design plans, and refining protocols. Sebastian coached the new leaders on investment strategy, outreach, and public relations. They both knew that for the Pavilion and the club to survive beyond their time, they had to let go with confidence.
Still, in between these responsibilities, their bond grew stronger.
They carved time for quiet dinners. Even if it was just reheated food at the HQ microwave, they shared it like it was a candlelit meal. When deadlines loomed and stress piled high, Sebastian would sneak into the library to surprise Selene with her favorite tea. And when he seemed too tense from hours of budget meetings, Selene would drag him to the campus park, force him to lie on the grass, and just breathe.
Other students watched them, sometimes in awe, sometimes in envy.
It wasn’t just that they looked good together. It was how they supported each other without asking. How they respected the other’s dreams while still dreaming together. It was how they never let love become a distraction—but rather, a refuge.
There were no grand declarations. No extravagant gifts. Just presence. Just time.
One afternoon, after a long session finalizing the Pavilion's third-quarter exhibition, Sebastian pulled Selene aside as the other club members left the HQ.
“Come with me,” he said.
“Where?”
He didn’t answer. He simply led her to the unfinished balcony extension behind the Pavilion—a part of the structure she’d designed but never had time to visit since construction completed.
“Your spot,” he said, gesturing around. “You designed it. But you never got to enjoy it.”
Selene blinked, touched. The sun was setting, casting a golden glow over the campus. There was a bench, some potted plants, and a perfect view of the city skyline in the distance.
“I wanted you to see it before we leave this place,” he said.
She sat down, speechless. For a moment, there were no words.
Then, softly, she whispered, “Do you ever think about what comes after?”
“Every day,” Sebastian replied, sitting beside her. “But the truth is, I’m not scared of what’s next. Because I know wherever we go from here—whether it's different cities, different jobs—this,” he looked at her, “will always be something real I’ll carry with me.”
She turned to him, eyes shimmering. “You really believe that?”
“I do. But also…” He grinned. “I’m applying for jobs near wherever you’re planning to work. I’m not letting you off that easily.”
Selene laughed, leaning her head against his shoulder. “Then I guess I need to update my job offers list.”
They sat in silence, the weight of their shared years wrapping around them like a blanket. In a few weeks, the campus they once ruled would be a memory. Their names would become part of the Pavilion’s foundation. Their impact—engraved in projects, policies, and records—would remain. But it was these moments, these fleeting, quiet pauses between the noise, that mattered most.
Selene closed her eyes and whispered, “I’m glad it was you.”
Sebastian held her tighter. “Me too.”
Their golden days were ending—but something just as beautiful was waiting ahead.