Stars Waited Above Empty Streets by Lorin Wren 163

Chapter 163 Did You Miss Mc? 

Finished 

Ava nodded. “I knew Mr. Jones was a kind soul the moment I laid eyes on him. Mrs. Jones mentioned you’re a wood elemental too.” 

Larry nodded. “I am. Though my abilities don’t even come close to Uncle Theodore’s.” 

Ava’s expression softened into a smile. “Well, you’ve done all right for yourself. You’ve won plenty of Best Actor awards and have a stellar reputation in the industry.” 

“You know me, Ms. Morren?” Larry asked, sounding a bit surprised. 

Ava smiled. “To be honest, I didn’t know who you were at first. I’ve never really followed celebrity culture or paid much attention to the entertainment world. But I have a friend who’s obsessed with you. Last time we were at Elysian, she spotted you and practically sprinted over for an autograph and a photo.” 

A look of realization dawned on Larry’s face as he recalled the encounter. “Oh, I remember now! We passed each other by the elevators. Your friend did stop me for a signature.” 

“You truly live up to your reputation as an A–list star. You’ve got a sharp memory!” 

Larry couldn’t help but chuckle at her playful remark. “You’re quite the character, Ms. Morren.” 

a 

“So I’ve been told,” Ava replied with a casual shrug. “People say I’m a great conversationalist. I suppose it’s because I have a natural eye for beauty. I’m always spotting the best in people. It’s a gift and a curse, but what can I do? I was born this way.” 

After a pleasant lunch with the Jones family, the group said their goodbyes and headed back to the Morren Residence. 

Ava spent the entire afternoon diving into everything she could find/about Starry Heavens University. She even slipped into the school forum to lurk and scroll through countless threads. 

She realized that campus life at Starry Heavens was incredibly vibrant; the sheer variety of clubs and extracurriculars was mind–blowing. More importantly, the university was loaded. They allocated a massive annual budget to the Student Union, allowing any club to tap into generous funding for their events. 

On the forum, some posts discussed classes, but they were outnumbered by the dramatic laments of students crying over their failing grades. 

As Ava silently lurked, she felt a genuine sense of excitement building for her future there. Back when she was at Larkwell Academy, every spare moment outside of class had been spent frantically trying to figure out how to make more money. During those years, she hadn’t felt like a student at all. She had felt more like a corporate slave, grinding away just to make ends meet. 

She’d had no close friends and no time for clubs. She had been a complete loner, drifting through school 

unnoticed and alone. 

The next morning, Ethan and Ryan arrived at the Morren Residence before eight o’clock. 

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16:54 Thu, Jan 15 G MI. 

Chapter 163 Did You Miss Me? 

13 

Finished 

Margaret said with a smile, “Since you two are taking her out today, you’d better make sure she’s back by tonight.” 

Ethan nodded respectfully. “Don’t worry, Aunt Margaret. We’ll have her back at the Morren Residence right on time.” 

Margaret beamed, clearly delighted by the respectful way he addressed her. She turned to Ava with a final instruction. “Ava, just be back by ten tonight.” 

With that, Margaret headed out, leaving the three of them alone in the spacious living room. 

As soon as the elders were gone, Ryan’s carefully maintained composure vanished instantly. He walked over to sit across from Ava. “Ava, did you miss me?” 

Ryan rushed through his words, not giving her a chance to respond. “I missed you so much. I tossed and turned all night. Every time I closed my eyes, all I could see was your face. I was so wired with excitement that I stayed up until dawn.” 

His eyes never left Ava as he spoke. His devotion was so unshielded that she could read every thought and feeling on his face. 

Ava set down her cutlery, feeling a bit overwhelmed by his intensity. “I’m finished. Give me a few minutes to go upstairs and change.” 

She stood up and beat a hasty retreat toward the staircase. 

Ryan watched her go, his gaze lingering on the spot where she disappeared around the wall before he finally turned back to Ethan. He looked utterly defeated. “Ava barely pays me any mind.” 

Anxiety churned in his gut. He was younger than her other matches and lacked their life experience. Even in terms of raw power, he wasn’t at the top of the pack. This realization was a heavy blow to his usually high–and–mighty ego. 

Especially after the coming–of–age ceremony, Ryan had realized that everyone else had their own subtle schemes in play. Even his usually steady older brother was playing a long game. Only he was left feeling like a restless mess, spinning his wheels without any idea how to actually reach her. 

“She isn’t ignoring you,” Ethan said calmly. “You need to be patient and take it slow. If she won’t move toward you, then you move toward her. She’s still getting used to what we are. You can’t expect her to open her heart to you after only a couple of dates.” 

He paused, offering Ryan a reassuring look. “Like I told you, she’s soft–hearted. As long as you don’t give up, she’ll adapt eventually.” 

A moment later, Ava reappeared. She had changed into a/forest–green dress with a cream–colored knit shawl draped over her shoulders. Her hair was swept up in a simple, elegant bun, the emerald earrings the Brock family had sent catching the light. In her hand was a delicate vintage bag adorned with a pearl chain. 

Ethan stood at the base of the stairs, looking up at her. His gaze followed her every movement, silent and intensely focused.