Wake Up Leave The Liar novel Chapter 19

Chapter 19

The Med School bulletin board was packed. I finally squeezed my way through, my gaze snapping to the “Surgical Skills Competition” participant list. My name was right there, bold as day.

I clenched my fist. The realness of it, the feeling in my fingertips, made me grin.

In my past life, I always let fear hold me back, missing out on chances. This time, earning that study abroad spot again, purely on merit – this joy felt incredibly grounding.

I dumped my backpack in my dorm room, grabbed my notes, and headed straight for the library.

For the next two weeks, I hit the library daily to cram theoretical knowledge.

First one in every morning when the doors opened, and I’d only rush to pack up when the closing bell rang at night.

One evening, I was meticulously double-checking steps in a surgical notebook. By the time I looked up, it was pitch black outside. My table was the only one still lit in the entire library.

I packed up and stood. That’s when I realized the main exit to the first floor was locked solid. The cold metal doorknob wouldn’t budge an inch.

I tried to reach the admin, but the office was empty.

I stood there, stumped, when I heard footsteps behind me. I spun around. Eli was walking over, backpack slung over his shoulder.

Locked in?”

Eli walked to the door and pulled a keyring from his pocket. His fingers brushed over the keys, found the right one fast, and slid it into the lock. Click The door swung open.

I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. Following him out, I asked, “How do you even have a key to this place?”

“I helped the admin organize some old files a while back. He gave me a spare key so I could come in after hours to catch up on assignments.”

Eli pocketed the keys and glanced at me. “Haven’t seen you around much lately. Been busy?”

Prepping for the surgical practical competition. Gotta practice like crazy.”

We walked side-by-side under the streetlights, our shadows stretching long behind us.

Then it hit me. I hadn’t asked Eli what he’d been up to in ages. “So, what have you been busy with?” I asked.

Eli heard that and his ears got a little red. He scratched his head, looking a bit shy. “Oh, uh, no, actually, I got a love letter the other day. From someone in the next department over.”

I froze for a second. That wasn’t the answer I expected.

“I haven’t really dealt with this kind of thing before, and I don’t know how to turn them down without hurting their feelings,

Eli’s voice dropped. “After thinking about it, I ended up writing a letter, I revised the wording a bunch of times, scared I’d be too harsh and upset her. Have you ever dealt with this? Could you take a look and see if I handled it right?”

As he spoke, he pulled a letter out of his backpack and handed it to me.

I took it, reading it under the streetlamp’s glow. The handwriting was neat, the tone gentle, not dismissive in the slightest. Every line showed respect for her feelings.

Suddenly, I remembered Noah’s attitude when he got love letters in my last life.

In contrast, Eli’s thoughtfulness was incredibly rare.

This is really good,” I said. “It makes your stance clear without embarrassing her.”

I handed the letter back to him.

Eli folded the letter and tucked it into the envelope. He smiled. “Someone’s feelings are precious. You can’t just brush them off.”

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