**Chapter 5: Ren's Grumpiness**

Ren trudged across campus, her long wavy dirty blonde hair bouncing with each step. Her emerald green eyes scanned the crowded quad, taking in the chatter of students and the distant sound of music. She navigated through the sea of people with a practiced air of detachment, her grumpy demeanor a shield that kept others at bay. As she walked, Ren's thoughts turned to her dorm roommates, who had been trying to get her to join in on their plans for the weekend. She had politely declined, opting instead to spend her time alone with her books. Her friends found her grumpiness entertaining, but also a bit puzzling. They didn't understand how someone so sweet and caring towards Xander could be so gruff and standoffish with everyone else. Ren shrugged to herself, lost in thought. She wasn't sure she could explain it either. She just knew that with Xander, she felt like she could be herself, without the need for pretenses or apologies. But with everyone else, she felt like she was constantly on guard, protecting herself from the inevitable disappointment or hurt. As she entered her dorm room, Ren's roommates looked up from their phones, a mixture of curiosity and amusement on their faces. "Hey, Ren, what's wrong?" one of them asked, eyeing her with concern. Ren shrugged, plopping down on her bed. "Nothing's wrong. I just need some alone time, that's all." Her roommates exchanged a knowing glance, but said nothing more. They had learned to respect Ren's boundaries, even if they didn't always understand her. The rest of the day passed in a blur of classes and studying, with Ren's grumpiness slowly giving way to a sense of calm. She spent her evenings curled up with her books, losing herself in the words and worlds that brought her comfort. But despite her best efforts, Ren couldn't shake the feeling that she was waiting for something - or someone. Xander's absence had left a gaping hole in her life, and she found herself constantly thinking about him, wondering what he was up to, and when she would see him again. As she drifted off to sleep that night, Ren's thoughts turned to Xander, and the texts they had exchanged earlier that day. She smiled to herself, feeling a sense of excitement and anticipation. She knew that Xander would always be there for her, no matter what. The next morning, Ren woke up feeling a bit more energized, her grumpiness temporarily lifted by the prospect of a new day. She got dressed, grabbed a cup of coffee, and headed to class, her mind still on Xander, and the surprise visit he had promised her for Christmas. Ren's heart skipped a beat at the thought of seeing him, and she couldn't help but wonder what he had planned. She had a feeling that her life was about to get a lot more interesting, and she wasn't sure if she was ready. But with Xander by her side, she felt like she could face anything. As she walked to class, Ren's thoughts turned to the Christmas plans she and Xander had discussed. She couldn't wait to see him, to hug him, and to feel his warm, loving presence. She knew that with Xander, everything would be okay, and that thought filled her with a sense of peace and contentment. Ren took a deep breath, feeling a sense of hope and anticipation. She knew that the future was uncertain, but with Xander by her side, she felt like she could face anything. And that thought was all she needed to keep going, to keep smiling, and to keep her grumpiness at bay.