Without warning, her heart started racing. She turned her head slowly, and her wide eyes locked with lazy ones.

Her lips parted as the face so close to hers sank in.

Holy fcking shit... is she dreaming?

The same guy she'd stumbled into his room drunk two days ago... is standing here?

She swallowed hard.

His hand slipped from her waist and when he stepped back, she almost lost her balance but she straightened.

He walked away without sparing her another glance.

She smirked, eyes trailing his broad back as she slipped her headphone from her ear, letting it hang around her neck.

"Thanks" she said, loud enough for him to hear.

He didn't turn.

Her teeth sank into her lower lip as she watched him move toward the pull-up bar.

Her throat went dry the moment he peeled off his top. Her gaze stuck for a beat too long before she forced herself to look away.

The sound of footsteps drew her attention. She turned to the sound-only to pause when she saw who walked in.

Nyomi.

Her tongue itched with a greeting, but she bit it back. Sun must have told her what happened. Nyomi had every reason not to talk to her now.

But Nyomi's eyes weren't on her. They were on Tavian. A shy smile on her lips.

Of course she knew he came here every early morning. Since the first day she'd seen him in the gym, she hadn't skipped a single day except yesterday and the day before.

She walked straight to him, pretending not to notice Nyssa's stare.

Nyssa turned away, heading for the treadmill.

Still, her eyes slid back to Tavian just in time to catch Nyomi standing right beside him.

__________

"Hi" Nyomi said softly.

Tavian didn't respond and that made a sigh escape her. 

"I just wanted to ask if you're coming to school today" she said and didn't say anything after.

From across the room, Nyssa's glare burned.

Are they dating? She thought, clenching her fist.

Same city

Inside a duplex house, the kitchen smelled faintly of milk. A girl leaned against the counter, spoon digging into a tin of milk powder. She shoved it into her mouth and let the sweet taste melt on her tongue.

Her baggy sleeveless top left her tattooed arm exposed and a black ring hugged her lower lip. 

Her hair was golden, and her eyes were a sharp lemon-green. Just under one eye sat a small tattoo that read the word 'lazy'.

Later, footsteps came closer, but she didn't lift her head. Her focus stayed on her milk.

"Hey, Cat" a teasing voice said. 

The owner of the voice stopped right beside her.

"Ansel!" she answered in a playful tone, finally looking up and turned to him.

His face was so close she had to pull her head back.

He smirked, eyes flicking to her lips dusted with milk powder. He leaned in slowly, and she blinked, already guessing what he wanted.

"Ansel..." she muttered, quickly turning her face away.

His jaw flexed, teeth clenched. 

"Not again" he whispered.

He straightened, his eyes lingering.

"What should we eat for breakfast?" he asked, watching her avoid his gaze.

"Faylinn!" he called when she didn't answer him.

Faylinn turned back to the milk tin, grabbed it, and rushed out of the kitchen without a word.

His tongue slid over his upper lip as he watched her leave.

*

5 Hours later...

QUENROSE UNIVERSITY

Fred walked into the library, his hands buried in his pockets. A few students glanced up; some even stopped what they were doing to stare.

He ignored them, heading straight to his usual corner. In less than fifteen seconds, he was there.

Someone was already sitting at the table-a girl with her head down, face turned away.

Fred's brow lifted lazily.

He didn't say anything. Instead, he strolled to the shelf, dragging his finger across the spines until he stopped at a book. Pulling it out, he went back and dropped into the chair opposite her.

His eyes lingered on her. Just then, she stirred, lifting her head. Dark curls clung to her face and her eyes stayed shut tight as if she was still waking up.

"Your name?" Fred asked flatly.

Nyssa's lashes fluttered before her eyes opened, locking with his.

She blinked, confused at first, his face looking familiar.

"You don't have a name?" Fred muttered because of her silence.

She blinked again.

"I do... but do I know you?" Her voice was barely a whisper.

A small smirk curved his lips, more amused than friendly. 

"At the freshmen party held in my house"

Her mouth formed a small oh.

Silence stretched. Their eyes stayed on each other until it felt too heavy.

"I'm Nyssa" she finally said.

"Mmm." That was all he gave before his gaze dropped back to his book.

She bit her lip, unease creeping in as her mind slipped back to the gym.

The memory of Nyomi standing beside her so-called phone murderer. 

She had to leave the room quickly because of something called.

Jealousy!!!

What was between them?

Were they dating?

He didn't even look at Nyomi once, but still...

Her fingers tugged her hair in frustration. With a soft groan, she dropped her head back onto the table and shut her eyes.

Fred never once looked up.

Minutes later...

Nyssa made her way to the cafeteria, eyes fixed on her phone as she walked.

A call flashed across her screen, the ID reading Big Bro.

Her shoulders dropped. With a quick tap, she declined the call, then turned on DND (Do Not Disturb)

"I'm sure Mom already told them everything" she muttered.

Out of nowhere, an arm hung around her neck. She gasped, spinning around.

"Huh?" Her eyes widened as she recognized the person-it was the girl from the club yesterday.

The girl grinned, pulling her arm back. "What's up?"

Nyssa folded her arms across her chest, her glare sharp.

"Next time, don't do that. You nearly gave me a heart attack" she said firmly.

The girl bit her lip. 

"Sorry. I'm Zafira, by the way" She held out her hand.

Nyssa didn't move.

Zafira's smile faltered. Her hand dropped awkwardly. 

"Guess you don't like me" she murmured.

Nyssa turned away and kept walking, ignoring her.

Zafira's grin slowly returned. She caught up, falling into step beside her.

________

CAFETERIA

They ended up at the same table, sandwiches and iced Coke between them.

Nyssa chewed silently, her eyes scanning the room as though she was looking for someone.

In the process, she spotted Sun walking in with Nyomi and Zara. Her stomach knotted. Quickly, she looked down at her food.

"Wow, it's Sun! She's my favorite here," Zafira gushed, her mouth still full, head tilted in awe.

"Good for you" Nyssa muttered, leaning back in her chair.

"I heard they're your housemates. You're lucky," Zafira added, still looking at their side.

Nyssa let out a scoff.

"Are you guys fighting?" Zafira asked carefully, her eyes now on Nyssa.

Nyssa's head snapped up, her eyes narrowing. 

"Why would you ask that?"

Zafira paused, then gave a quick shake of her head. "Never mind"

Nyssa let it drop, not pushing further.

A low buzz spread across the cafeteria....soft gasps, whispers, chairs shifting.

Zafira's eyes lit up, her lips parting. 

"Holy hell... he's so-" she breathed, gaze locked on someone behind Nyssa.

Nyssa's brows pulled together. "Who?"

Before Zafira could answer, a deep voice rolled from behind her.

"Nyssa"

Zafira 

(Image for character inspiration. Not mine)