All Chapters of BECOMING CARA: Chapter 31 - Chapter 37

Suddenly, her phone buzzed.She glanced at the screen Henry.Sara’s smile shifted, softer now, more private.“Andrew, I’ll talk to you later”“Why?” Andrew interrupted, pouting dramatically. “We were having so much fun. Who are you ditching your only friend here for?”Sara chuckled, shaking her head. “It’s my boyfriend. Henry.”Andrew blinked once, then nodded slowly. “Oh. Okay. Nice.” His tone was light. “Go on then. I’ll survive.”For a moment, she studied him. There had been a time when his teasing felt like something more like he was testing the waters, waiting for her to look at him differently. But now… now there was no tension in his voice. No quiet hope lingering between his words.It was as if he had finally accepted it.And maybe, in doing so, accepted that whatever fragile possibility once hovered between them had settled into something safer , friendship.The kind Sara had unknowingly built brick by brick.“Don’t miss me too much,” she teased.Andrew placed a hand over

Sara ran back to the restroom, her heart hammering wildly against her ribs. She could barely hear her own thoughts over the pounding in her ears, but there was no time to think about what had happened.The soaked girl was still there, standing in the corner of the bathroom like a forgotten shadow. Her uniform clung to her thin frame, water dripping steadily onto the tiled floor. She looked smaller somehow, as if humiliation had shrunk her.Without hesitation, Sara slipped off her sweater and gently wrapped it around the girl’s trembling shoulders.“Thank you…” the girl whispered timidly, her voice barely audible.“Come on,” Sara said softly but firmly. “Let’s get you out of here.”She guided her through the corridor, ignoring the curious stares, and led her toward her private dorm. The girl slowed when they reached the door, her eyes widening as she glanced at the polished wood and the neat brass handle.Not everyone could afford the private dorms.Sara noticed the hesitation. “Please

Before she could even gather her scattered thoughts, the sound of tires against wet asphalt returned.The same car.It slowed.Stopped.Parked right beside her.Sara’s heart skipped whether from anger or shock, she didn’t know.The window rolled down halfway.“Get in,” Marcus said reluctantly, his voice low and controlled, as if the words themselves irritated him.Sara stared at him in disbelief. She was still shivering from the cold water soaking through her dress, but her pride burned hotter.Was this some kind of joke?Why was he back?She didn’t move.“I said, get in.”Sara scoffed, folding her arms despite the chill. “Are you mad?” she shot back. “What the hell is wrong with you?”Marcus’s jaw tightened. “Women are not allowed to curse.”“And men are not allowed to command me,” she snapped instantly. “I’m not getting in.”For a brief second, their eyes locked stubborness colliding with stubbornness. The streetlight reflected off the tension between them.Sara broke the stare fi