Chapter 50 She Hasn’t Smiled for Long
Chapter 50 She Hasn’t Smiled for Long
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“You’re not even on the same level as the regular interns at that company. Do you honestly think you stand a chance?” Her roommate didn’t mince words. T’m not trying to crush your dreams, but your grades are just average. That company’s full of returnees, half of them with years of experience. What could they possibly see in you?”
“Why?” the naive roommate asked, clearly confused.
“Because…” Eleanor hesitated, her words weighed down by experience. “They think you’re naïve. They’ll use you to
dealings. I don’t want to arantee loans for the company, get you to back their business
dealings. I don’t want to say it outright, but… there’s a big show coming up, and it’s the busiest time of the year. “They need an intern who’s cheap, someone they can boss around. Once your internship ends, they’ll find some reason to let you go, and by the time you realize, it’ll be too late. You’ll be crying, and it won’t matter.
Her roommate quickly checked her phone and cursed under her breath. “No way… there is a big:
g show. That’s why they’ve been pushing me to start quickly. I need to tell my mom about
this.
Eleanor turned to the last roommate. She seemed unsure. “I… I don’t think I can handle it, right?”
Eleanor’s head spun from the alcohol, and she looked around, confused. “You can whatever you want.”
do
With that, she suddenly slumped forward, her head hitting the table with a thud. She had passed out.
The three roommates burst into laughter.
“I never realized Eleanor is not just pretty, but kind of cute, too.”
“If it wasn’t for Julian’s poison tongue, Zoey would never have been crowned the school. beauty.”
“Geez, it’s already 8:30. Let’s get back to the dorm, quick.”
They helped Eleanor to her feet, laughing and joking as they walked back together.
Eleanor, leaning on one of them, wasn’t completely passed out, but the drunken fog still hung around her. For some reason, it felt oddly reassuring.
The four of them stumbled along, their voices a mix of drunken chatter and laughter. Event the autumn breeze felt a bit warmer.
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Chapter 50 She Hasn’t Smiled for Long
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Suddenly, one of her roommates stopped and lapked up. “Wow, the stars are so beautiful tonight.
The others followed her gaze. The sky was clear the moon bright, and the stars shimmering. Through the branches of the trees, it almost seemed like they were hanging right above.
them.
Eleanor’s thoughts drifted to Ellie.
“Mom, Mom… if there’s a next life, you can’t give up on your dreams. Not even for me. I want you to be happy.”
Leaves fluttered down, some of them even landing on Eleanor’s face, wiping away the tears she didn’t want anyone to see.
Then, unexpectedly, she smiled.
Her smile was so radiant, it almost made the stars dim in comparison.
She wouldn’t disappoint Ellie.
Just as the thought crossed her mind, something clicked. The alcohol lifted, and her head. cleared. She tilted it back, staring at the sky above.
The three roommates, now curious, tilted their Heads in unison.
“What are you looking at?”
“I don’t know.”
“My neck’s going to hurt if I keep this up.”
Eleanor chuckled.
And with that, all four of them tilted their heads and laughed together.
This was what college life was all about–sometimes silly, sometimes carefree, but always together.
Although Eleanor only realized this at the very end, she was grateful for such a beautiful.
moment.
What she didn’t know, however, was that her smile, her beauty, had caught the attention of someone across the street.
Avery turned to Elijah, his expression softening as he watched Eleanor laugh. “Elijah, do you want me to bring Miss Brown over?”
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Chapter 50 She Hasn’t Smiled for Long
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Elijah didn’t respond immediately. His gaze remained fixed on Eleanor’s smiling face, as though… he hadn’t seen her smile like that in ages.
He’d forgotten what it was like when the sixteen year–old girl stood beneath the tree, secretly smiling at him, so pure and innocent.
“Let’s go back.” Elijah said softly.
The four of them arrived back at the dorm, still joking and laughing, when they suddenly spotted a figure standing by the door.
It was Julian.
She stared at the four them, clearly stunned, then looked at Eleanor with pitiful eyes, before quickly glancing over the others. As if they were the ones who had wronged her.
“Eleanor, I’ve been waiting for you for over an hour. I was so worried.”
The roommates were about to say something, but Eleanor stopped them, gesturing for them to head inside.
Once the door closed behind them, Julian quickly grabbed Eleanor’s arm, lowering her voice, “They didn’t say anything, right?”
Eleanor rubbed her head, not understanding the question. “Say what?”
Julian’s eyes glinted with something dark. “They’ve been talking behind your back. I’ve tried to defend you, but I’m outnumbered. You should really stay away from them.”
Eleanor didn’t want to engage in this nonsense. She nodded and said, “But didn’t you also badmouth me to Dylan online? Julian, I’m starting to not understand you.”
She meant for this comment to sting.
Julian’s eyes quickly filled with tears as she looked up at her. “I’m sorry… I was just out of money. That’s why Dylan tricked me. Please, Eleanor… look at all I’ve done for you. Can you forgive me?”
Eleanor quickly grabbed her hand. “Of course I forgive you. I know you didn’t have a choice. I trust you.
