Chapter 8
The moment the plane touched down, I felt like I’d been given a fresh start. Here I was, in a foreign country, with no familiar sights or faces, yet I felt a sense of security I hadn’t experienced before. As soon as I grabbed my luggage, I saw a group of people at the terminal holding signs with my name. Leading the pack with his usual enthusiasm was Garrett, my old college friend. He hadn’t changed a bit, still bubbling with the energy of a college kid.
Stepping off the plane, I caught a glimpse of myself in a mirror. It had only been a few years since graduation, but I already looked a little
worn out.
“Isabella, hurry up! We’ve been waiting for you forever!” Garrett called out, leading the group towards me. In the excitement, someone rushed up and hugged me, which caught me off guard and made me uncomfortable. I instinctively pushed them away.”
Garrett noticed my expression and quickly stepped in. “Hey, everyone, let’s take it easy. We’ve got plenty of time to hang out. Let’s not overwhelm her. Help with the bags, okay?” he directed.}
As they busied themselves with my luggage, Garrett turned to me with an apologetic smile. “Sorry, Isabella. Was it too much? I should’ve thought it through better.”
“It’s not that…” I started, but Garrett cut me off. “I get it, Isabella. When I invited you over six months ago, it wasn’t just because the lab needed your expertise. I hoped a change of scenery might help after everything. Let’s focus on the research now, alright?”
The way Garrett trying to keep things light really touched me. Edward always said people are mostly driven by self–interest, but here was Garrett, who I’d only known through college and grad school, genuinely caring about how I felt. It was moving, almost bringing tears to my eyes.
Maybe these students are still a bit naive about the world, or perhaps researchers are just naturally straightforward. Garrett’s group might not have the best boundaries, but their sincerity and warmth were genuine. I thought coming to this new country would be lonely, but life here seemed even more vibrant than back home.
The perks here were pretty great. Besides the standard salary, Garrett had even arranged a single room for me. Once I got settled, my mind drifted to Edward back home. Seeing over a hundred missed calls after landing had stirred something in me, but there’d been no texts since. I knew my leaving didn’t mean much to Edward. He was probably with Judy now, enjoying their time together. Thinking about my years with him felt like recalling a dream–one that was never meant to last. Parting ways with Edward seemed inevitable. I thought our story was over, but I didn’t realize how persistent he could be. On my third day here, after an all–nighter at the lab, I was dragging myself back to my dorm, exhausted and disheveled, when I walked straight into Edward’s arms.
