Page 11 of Only ever you-Ana & Byron

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"Four subjects are already a nightmare, Byron."

"Yeah, but if you take Psych, we can suffer together." He leaned in slightly. "Plus... I won't survive it without you, and you know it."

She looked at him. The grin was cheeky, but there was a glimmer of something behind it.

Ana sighed. "If you fail, I'm not including you in my UCAS reference."

"Deal," he said quickly. "But if you just tell 'em I'm fit and enthusiastic, that'll do it."

Later, when the plates were empty and the streetlights flicked on, Byron tugged her aside.

"Here," he said, shoving a small velvet pouch into her hand.

Ana raised an eyebrow. "What now?"

"Open it."

Inside was a silver charm bracelet, two tiny charms glinting in the light-a book, and an Eiffel Tower.

"I thought you liked stuff like this," he said, voice suddenly softer. "Y'know. Travel. Books. Words and wanderin'."

Ana stared down at the charms, then up at him.

"Just wanted to say thanks. For helpin' me. For... puttin' up with me," he muttered, scratching the back of his neck, looking uncomfortable.

She fastened it onto her wrist slowly. "It's perfect."

Byron shrugged like it wasn't a big deal. "Reckon it suits you."

He didn't say anything else. Just stuffed his hands in his pockets and walked beside her like it was the most normal thing in the world.

And Ana, for once, didn't try to make a clever remark.

She just smiled.

Chapter six

Chapter 6

Almost 2 years later...

Byron squinted at his textbook, lips moving silently as he tried to decode a paragraph on Pavlov's dogs.

"So... the dog got hungry every time he heard a bell?"

Ana didn't look up. "Yes."

"And that's psychology?"

"Yes."

Byron stared at the page again. "Weird. I just get hungry every time I pass Greggs."

She smirked. "That's conditioning, Byron. Just... the sausage roll variety."

He grinned. "Knew I was a genius."

"No, just well-trained, "replied Ana with an eye roll.

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