Stella waited impatiently in the hallway, clutching a cup of steaming coffee. She had told Michael she needed to attend to something briefly; he'd agreed to wait outside so they could discuss the project before heading their separate ways. Marcus was already gone, having claimed exhaustion. As Stella watched students drift by, she ignored the casual greetings from acquaintances. Her focus was locked on a single target: Tia.
She hard-stamped her foot against the floor. "Does she plan on spending the entire day in class?" she hissed. She hummed a low, jagged tune, her grip tightening until the heat of the cup stung her fingers. At the sound of approaching footsteps, she stilled, her expression smoothing into a calm one.
When Tia finally rounded the corner, an evil smirk ghosted across Stella's lips. Let's see how you like a coffee map on your clothes, she plotted.
Stella stepped forward, feigning urgency as if she had a secret to share. Tia spotted the cup and felt a prickle of suspicion, yet she didn't break her stride, acting as though she noticed nothing.
"Hi, Tia," Stella chirped, her smile not reaching her eyes. "Leaving already?" She swung the cup upward, intending to drench Tia's front.
But Tia was faster. She instinctively shoved Stella's hand back. The lid popped, and the scalding liquid splashed across Stella's own pink trousers. Stella let out a piercing scream that echoed down the hall, drawing a crowd. She collapsed to the floor, howling in genuine pain. Tia stood over her, cold and detached, watching Stella as if she were a piece of discarded furniture.
Suddenly, Michael appeared. Tired of waiting, he had come to investigate the delay. The sight of Stella sobbing on the ground and Tia standing over her, unmoved, ignited a flash of protective fury. He rushed to Stella's side.
"What did you do to her?!" Michael roared. "Has your heart turned so cold that you've started physically hurting people now?" He stood, stalking toward Tia with a dark look in his eyes.
Tia recoiled, her heart racing. The raw anger in Michael's gaze suggested he wouldn't listen to reason. "I didn't do anything! She tried to throw coffee on me, and I just pushed her hand back," Tia said, her voice trembling.
"Liar!" Stella snapped from the floor. "I would never do that! You deliberately knocked it out of my hand!"
"Stella, tell the truth! What is wrong with you?" Tia shouted, but Stella simply turned her face away and continued weeping harder.
Michael moved closer, closing the distance. Tia squeezed her eyes shut, bracing for the fallout, when a calm voice cut through the tension.
"Whoa, dude. What do you think you're doing?"
Michael spun around to find Xavier standing there. Xavier had been taking a walk when the commotion caught his ear. Michael's lip curled in disgust. Xavier was his ultimate nemesis—the "Ice Prince" of the campus. He was wealthy, prestigious, and had every girl on campus swooning. Michael saw him as a direct threat; everything Michael had, Xavier possessed tenfold. The only mercy was that they were in different departments, but to Michael, Xavier was a demon designed to thwart him.
"Stay out of this, Xavier," Michael warned.
"I will," Xavier said quietly, "but first, I want you to look at something."
"And what's that?"
Xavier pointed toward the security camera mounted high on the wall. Michael's eyes widened, his momentum stalling instantly.
"I'd advise you to keep calm so you don't implicate yourself," Xavier added. He turned his attention to the girl on the floor. His expression softened into one of faux concern as he knelt. "Why are you on the ground?"
Stella pointed a shaking finger at Tia. "She spilled coffee all over me," she lied, her voice cracking.
Xavier slowly looked at Tia. She shook her head frantically, but Michael's cold stare kept her silent.
"Are you sure that's what happened?" Xavier asked, his gaze drifting back to the camera. Stella stopped sobbing. She knew the game was up; the lens had captured every second of her failed sabotage.
Suspecting the truth, Xavier offered a diplomatic hand. "I'm sorry about the stain," he told Stella, helping her up. Michael took over, supporting her weight as she limped.
"It hurts so much, Michael," Stella whined.
"We're going to the clinic," Michael decided, hoisting her into his arms. As they left, Stella threw a triumphant, mocking look over Michael's shoulder at Tia. It worked. Tia felt a sharp pang of hurt.
Michael had never cared for her like that, despite everything she'd done for him. A wave of jealousy rose in her chest, but she suppressed it, reminding herself she didn't want him anymore.
"Did you actually spill it on her?" Xavier asked once they were alone.
"Of course not! She's lying!" Tia snapped.
Xavier paused, seemingly lost in thought, before nodding. "Don't worry. I believe you."
"Then why did you apologize to her?"
"Because I wanted to end the scene."
Tia felt a smile tug at her lips. Then, a sudden realization hit her. This was the first time she'd spoken to Xavier since their meeting in the library, and he hadn't reached out once. She squinted at him, crossing her arms. "You."
"What did I do?" Xavier asked, looking confused.
"You haven't called me once since we met."
"I know. To be honest... I couldn't remember what name I saved your number under."
Tia rolled her eyes. "And I bet you don't even remember my name now."
"That's not true. It's Tia, isn't it?"
Tia clapped her hands lightly and giggled. "Good. At least you got that right."
Xavier pulled out his phone. "Give it to me one more time." Tia suspected he might have accidentally deleted it and was playing it cool, but she gave him the digits anyway.
"Found it," he said, looking at the screen as if he'd discovered buried treasure.
Tia adjusted her bag, feeling her cheeks warm. "I should probably go now I'm a bit tired."
"Can I give you a ride?"
"No need, I'm staying at the residence halls."
"Then let me walk you there."
Tia's heart hammered against her ribs. She wanted to decline to play it cool, but her heart betrayed her. She nodded, and Xavier took her hand as they began to walk. She fought to keep a neutral expression, screaming internally: The Ice Prince is holding my hand! She wished the hallway would stretch on forever.
As they exited the building, heads turned. The campus grapevine began to buzz instantly.
"Is that Xavier?"
"Why is he with her?"
"Does he have a new girlfriend?"
The whispers became a roar in Tia's ears. She covered them with her free hand, urging him to walk faster.
"This happens every time I walk across campus," Xavier chuckled. "The best thing you can do is pretend you can't hear a word of it."
By the time they reached the residence halls, the area was thankfully clear of gossiping students.
"I'll see you around," Xavier said, waving as he turned to leave.
"Don't forget to call me!" Tia called out, making him stop.
"I promise," he said with a smile before disappearing around the corner.
Tia stood frozen, watching the spot where he'd been until the smile slowly faded from her face. Her hand slapped her forehead in a sudden realization. She hadn't gotten his number.
"Tia, how could you forget something so important?" she whispered to the empty air. "You might never see him again, and what if he forgets to call?" It was too late to run after him. She could only stand there, clutching her bag, hoping he'd keep his word so she could hear that melodious voice again.