Chapter 64

Megan stormed into the room, closing the door behind her with a sharp click. She stood there, fists clenched at her sides, her eyes fixed on Ashleigh with an accusatory glare. "What gave you the audacity to call Alexander and tell him what happened to me?" she demanded, her voice taut with anger, her hands planted on her hips. Ashleigh's gaze swept over Megan from head to toe. There were no visible signs of abuse or distress. Instead, Megan looked healthier than ever—her skin glowed, and looked much better than when she used to stumble in to the room drunk and out of her mind. "Firstly, your fiancé called me, not the other way around. Someone from your family needed to know what happened. Secondly, you look fine—what's the real problem?" Ashleigh asked, her voice calm but probing. Megan's eyes flashed with irritation. "The problem," she snapped, "is that you should mind your own business! Like I told you on Saturday, it's my burden to carry, not anyone else's. Now, because of you, I have Alexander breathing down my neck 24/7, exactly what I was trying to avoid." Ashleigh rolled her eyes, her patience wearing thin. She turned her back to Megan and began setting out her clothes, determined to not let this conversation derail her day. The silence left Megan feeling foolish and her jaw tightened. Furious at being ignored, she marched over and grabbed Ashleigh by the arm, spinning her around. "Don't you dare ignore me, Ashleigh! You owe me an apology for sticking your nose where it doesn't belong!" Ashleigh's eyes dropped to Megan's hand gripping her arm. Slowly, she pried it away with more strength than Megan expected, leaving her momentarily stunned. "Apology?" Ashleigh asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Fine. I'm sorry for calling someone who actually cares about you. I'm sorry I stopped those boys from assaulting you. Next time, if I see you dying, I'll walk right past and let you. Is that what you want?" Megan's mouth opened, but no words came out. Ashleigh brushed past her and headed toward the bathroom, but stopped at the door, her hand on the handle. She looked back, her expression hard. "It's funny, really. Someone like you, with a great guy like Alexander—who flies a thousand miles to check on you when something happens—acts like this. Meanwhile, I can't even get a proper phone call, and I'm being stalked during the most stressful week of my life. So, forgive me if I can't find any sympathy for you." Without waiting for a response, Ashleigh slammed the bathroom door, leaving Megan standing speechless. Ashleigh took a deep breath, trying to focus. She didn't have time to let Megan's drama distract her. The laboratory exam loomed over her, and that was where her mind needed to be. After freshening up, she grabbed her things and prepared for the day, ignoring the piercing glare Megan shot at her from across the room. A sharp ring from her phone broke the silence. It was Damien. "I'm downstairs. Ready?" he asked, his voice calm, as always. "Yeah, coming," Ashleigh replied, slinging her bag over her shoulder. She left the room with a deliberate slam of the door, the sound echoing her frustration. Once she got into Damien's car, he handed her a packed lunch. "Here, you might need this." Ashleigh took the container with a small nod of thanks. "Thanks." Damien glanced over at her as he reversed out of the parking lot. "What's up? You seem pissed." Ashleigh sighed, popping the lid of the food container. "It's just Megan. She's back with her attitude, and honestly, I don't even care anymore." Damien nodded knowingly. "Got it. Roommate drama isn't worth your energy right now." The ride to the faculty was quiet, punctuated only by the sound of Ashleigh chewing on her lunch. Soon, they arrived at the lab. After dropping off their bags with the attendants and donning their lab coats, they made their way to their assigned stations. The lab buzzed with nervous energy as students hurried to their spots. Ashleigh quickly settled in, her heart racing slightly as she scanned the room. The invigilation team, made up of senior students, stood at the front alongside Professor Patel. She recognized a few faces—Angela and Cassidy among them—and gave them a small nod of acknowledgment. Professor Patel's voice cut through the low murmur of the room. "Good morning, students. I hope you're well-rested because today's exam will be long and challenging. You'll have three hours to complete three questions. Precision and clarity in your notes will be crucial. Understood?" A collective "Yes, sir" rippled through the room. Ashleigh stifled a yawn, feeling the weight of her exhaustion but pushing it aside. "The senior students will be distributing the materials and question sheets. They're here to assist you, should you need clarification on any part of the exam," Professor Patel continued, gesturing toward the group of seniors who began handing out the necessary tools and reagents. Ashleigh accepted her materials, her nerves spiking as the question booklet landed on her desk. She stole a glance at Damien, who gave her a reassuring nod from across the room. "Your time begins… now!" Professor Patel announced, hitting the buzzer that signaled the start of the exam. The room instantly filled with the sound of rustling papers. Ashleigh's eyes darted to the questions. She read through them carefully, her mind immediately mapping out a strategy and she set to work. The minutes ticked by, and the tension in the lab grew palpable. Concentration lined every student's face as they meticulously measured fluids, adjusted machinery, and scribbled down their findings. Ashleigh moved with careful calculation, her focus intense, ignoring the dull ache that started to creep into her temples from lack of sleep. As the exam progressed, Ashleigh occasionally glanced around the room. Some students, frazzled by the complexity of the questions, called for assistance from the seniors. Cassidy, ever calm, moved through the rows, helping clarify difficult points while the invigilation body observed the class quietly, marking potential candidates for the upcoming competition. "You all have ten minutes left," Professor Patel announced, his voice sending a ripple of anxiety through the room. A few students groaned in frustration, scrambling to finish their work. Ashleigh, thankfully, was ahead. She had completed the three questions and used the spare time to double-check her notes. Glancing at Damien's station, she saw him intensely focused, still jotting down his findings. She returned to her own, ensuring everything was neatly documented. When the final buzzer rang, a collective sigh of relief spread across the room, mixed with a few exasperated groans. Ashleigh stood, feeling the weight of exhaustion hit her all at once. She handed in her booklet and returned to her station, letting out a long breath as she sat down. "Congratulations, everyone," Professor Patel said, offering a rare smile. "You've just completed one of the first difficult practical exams in the department. Your final test will be tomorrow, and results will follow shortly after. Good luck, and get some rest." As he and the seniors filed out of the room, the tension in the air slowly dissipated. Some students began to leave, while others stayed behind, chatting about the exam. Ashleigh remained seated, a small, satisfied smile tugging at her lips. She had made it through. But just as the sense of accomplishment began to settle, a sharp pain pulsed through her temples, signaling the start of a headache. She rubbed her forehead, trying to ease the discomfort. Damien approached her, his brow furrowed. "You alright?" Ashleigh forced a smile. "Yeah, just a bit overwhelmed but I'm happy—it went well." He grinned. "Good. Now, let's get you back to the hostel so you can rest up. Still planning on the study session tonight?" "Of course," she replied, brushing off the pain. "It's just a minor headache. I'll be fine." Damien gave her a skeptical look but didn't push further. "Alright, let's get out of here." As they walked out of the lab, the door creaked closed behind them. Across the room, Alana, seated quietly at her station, watched them leave. A dark smile played on her lips, her gaze lingering on the door long after they were gone.