Pov Josiane..
Only the soft rustling of leaves.
Only distant footsteps of strangers.
Only silence.
"Maybe I imagined it," she whispered.
But deep down—
She knew she hadn't.
A strange heaviness settled in her chest.
So instead of thinking more…
She chose to ignore it.
She turned away from the bench.
Walked back toward the main campus.
One step at a time.
A little later…
Josie sat alone at one of the park-side study tables.
Her bag rested near her chair.
Her notebook lay open.
Blank page.
Students passed by, chatting and laughing.
Normal campus life.
Normal noise.
Normal world.
Yet her mind kept replaying—
They were right there…
She shook her head lightly.
"No overthinking."
Afamiliar voice came from ahead.
"Talking to yourself again?"
Josie looked up.
Linux
Walking toward her with that easy, unbothered smile.
Hands in pockets. Calm as always.
And somehow—
That calmness made things feel a little steadier.
She tried not to smile.
"Maybe."
"Bad habit."
"Helps me think."
"Dangerous."
She rolled her eyes. "You always say that."
"And I'm always right."
A small pause.
Comfortable.
Quiet.
Linux gently slid a small chocolate across the table.
Josie blinked. "What's this?"
"Peace offering."
"For what?"
"In case you're secretly mad at the world."
She laughed softly. "I'm not."
"Good. Keep it that way."
She picked up the chocolate.
"…Thanks."
Their eyes met for a brief second.
Warm.
Simple.
Safe.
Then Linux leaned back.
"So. You look like you saw a ghost."
Josie's fingers tightened slightly.
"I didn't."
He watched her carefully.
Didn't push.
Didn't joke.
Just waited.
She looked away. "Do you ever feel like something is… off?"
"Always," he said casually. "It's called life."
"I'm serious."
"So am I."
She hesitated.
"The park felt weird today."
Linux's expression softened.
But he smiled lightly. "You've been studying too much."
"That's not it."
"Josie."
His voice was gentle now.
"Some things feel bigger when we think too hard about them."
She frowned. "You think I'm overthinking."
"I think,"
he said slowly, "you deserve a peaceful school life."
That caught her attention.
"What does that mean?"
He looked away toward the trees.
Sunlight flickered through the leaves.
"It means not every question needs an answer right away."
"That's not fair."
"It's kind."
She studied his face.
He wasn't hiding care.
He was hiding worry.
"You know something," she said quietly.
Linux smiled.
Soft. Careful.
"I know you stress too easily."
"That's not what I meant."
"I know."
Silence settled between them.
Not awkward.
But full of words unsaid.
Josie sighed. "Fine. Keep your secrets."
"Not secrets."
"Then what?"
"Timing."
She groaned. "That's worse."
He chuckled."Wait."
Linux paused. "What happened?"
She stepped closer, eyes narrowed.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Tell you what?"
"That you're the Head Prefect."
Silence.
Linux didn't answer immediately.
Josie stared at him in disbelief. "I had to hear it from someone else."
"It wasn't important," he said quietly.
"Not important?!" she snapped. "You hid something this big!"
Frustration rushed through her.
She lifted her hand like she might hit his arm—
But he gently caught her wrist.
Not tight.
Just enough to stop her.
"Easy," he said softly.
Asmall smile appeared on his face. "So you were going to fight on me?"
"Don't change the topic!"
He sighed.
"I didn't tell you because I didn't want you involved in all this."
"Involved in what?"
"This mess. The politics. The pressure. The sides."
Josie crossed her arms. "You don't get to decide that for me."
"I'm trying to protect you."
"I don't need protection."
"You do. You just don't see it yet."
Before she could argue—
A voice interrupted.
"He's not wrong, you know."her heart said ...
Josie looked back at Linux
Still confused.
Linux spoke again, quieter now.
"I wanted you away from this."
"You're already part of this university," he continued.
"And things here aren't simple."
"So what? I'm just supposed to stay clueless?"
"I'm saying… don't step into the middle of conflicts."
"Especially between Cain and Kaela."
Josie blinked. "Why them?"
Linux shook his head. "Just trust me."
She sighed heavily.
"This place is seriously scary."
He gave a small nod. "That's why I stayed quiet."
A pause.
Then he added gently—
"But you matter to me. So I'll try to keep you safe as a friend " he murmured
Josie looked away, heart racing.
Nothing about this felt normal.
The titles.
The secrets.
The tension.
"…What is even happening here?" she whispered.
Linux gave a tired half-smile.
"You'll understand slowly."
And somehow—
That didn't comfort her at all.
To be continued.....