The next morning, the sunlight felt cruel.

Too bright. Too honest.

Amara hadn’t slept. The argument replayed in her head on a loop, every word, every look, every silence.

She had called Elena five times. No answer.

She had texted her I’m sorry, but the message sat there, unread.

Zoe was sprawled across her bed, humming to music, unconcerned.

“Don’t stress, babe,” she said. “Elena’s just jealous. She hates that you’re finally having fun.”

Amara didn’t answer.

Her head pounded. Her chest felt heavy.

She left Zoe’s, walking across the quiet campus toward her class, but halfway there, a car pulled up beside her.

A black Audi.

Dylan leaned out the window, a lazy grin on his face.

“Skipping class already?”

Amara shook her head. “I’m late.”

“Come on,” he said. “Let’s talk.”

Something about the way he said it, smooth but sharp, made her hesitate.

Still, she got in.

They drove in silence for a while, the world passing in blurs of green and gold. Then Dylan said softly,

“I don’t like seeing you upset.”

She glanced at him. “It’s fine. Just… things got messy.”

“She doesn’t deserve you,” he said. “Elena’s too soft. Too righteous. People like that never last.”

“Don’t talk about her,” Amara muttered.

Dylan smirked. “Touchy subject.”

He reached out, brushing a strand of her hair behind her ear. “You’re better than her, you know.”

Amara shifted in her seat. “Don’t.”

But he just laughed, low and amused. “Relax, I’m not doing anything.”

He drove her to a small clearing near the lake, quiet, empty.

“I like it here,” he said. “No one watching. No rules.”

Amara stared out the window, her reflection rippling against the glass.

“You don’t have to be around Elena all the time, you know,” Dylan said softly.

“She doesn’t get you. She keeps you small. But I…” he inched closer, his breath brushing her cheek, “…I could take care of you. You could have anything you want.”

Amara forced a shaky laugh. “Dylan, stop.

“I’m serious.” His eyes caught hers, steady, cold, and far too intense. “You don’t need her. You need me.”

She pressed back against the seat, suddenly aware of how narrow the car felt.

His voice dropped lower. “Say you’ll stay away from her.”

Her pulse raced. “You’re scaring me.”

For a moment, his expression softened, then something behind his eyes snapped, like glass breaking in silence.

He tilted his head, almost smiling, but it wasn’t a smile 

He stared at her for a full minute before saying “ There’s nothing to be scared of Amara”

 

Something in her chest twisted, that same cold knot from last night.

Um… Dylan… I …I would like to go back now. Amara said softly 

Dylan smiled and voiced out a low “ sure

When she finally got back to campus, she didn’t go to class.

She sat by herself on the bench near the art building, watching students pass, their laughter echoing faintly.

She felt hollow.