...
I woke up that morning feeling… off.
Nothing had happened, at least not obviously. The night before with Sami had been soft, calm—almost perfect. But something about the way my chest felt when I opened my eyes told me that the calm wouldn't last.
The room was quiet, but not peaceful.
Mia and Marvel were already awake, sitting on Mia's bed, their heads bent close together as they whispered and laughed. The sound wasn't loud, but it carried. It always did.
I didn't bother asking what they were talking about.
I just watched for a few seconds… then looked away.
It doesn't matter, I told myself.
But somehow, it did.
Classes felt longer than usual that day. My mind wasn't fully there, even though I tried to stay focused. Debbie noticed almost immediately.
"You okay?" she whispered, nudging me slightly.
"Yeah," I said quickly. "Just tired."
She didn't look convinced, but she didn't push.
Halfway through the lecture, someone pulled the chair beside me.
I didn't even need to look up to know who it was.
Hudson.
"Move small," he whispered, squeezing in like he belonged there.
I sighed softly but shifted anyway.
"You've been avoiding me," he said under his breath.
"I've been busy," I replied, not looking at him.
He leaned closer, his voice dropping slightly. "That's not an answer."
I finally turned to look at him. "Hudson…"
"What?" he said, a small smile playing on his lips. "Am I lying?"
I didn't respond.
He reached for my pen, spinning it between his fingers casually. "You always act like you're in a rush. Like someone's waiting for you."
I frowned slightly. "Can I have my pen back?"
"Not until you answer me."
I let out a quiet breath. "There's nothing to answer."
He studied my face for a moment, then said softly, "Then come out tonight."
My heart skipped, but I kept my expression steady. "I can't."
"You won't," he corrected.
That made me look at him again.
This time, his expression wasn't playful. It was serious.
"I'm not joking anymore," he said. "Just one night. Come see me."
I looked away quickly, my chest tightening.
"I have someone," I said quietly.
There was a pause.
"I know," he replied.
And somehow… that made it worse.
After classes, I walked back to the dorm slowly. My mind was crowded—Hudson's words, Sami's silence that morning, the strange feeling I couldn't shake.
When I entered the room, the energy felt different immediately.
Marvel was in front of the mirror, trying on outfits, turning from side to side like she was preparing for something big. Mia sat behind her, hyping her up like everything she did was perfect.
"Turn again!" Mia laughed.
"I know I look good," Marvel said confidently, flipping her hair.
I dropped my bag quietly and climbed onto my bed.
"Nuella," Mia called, "don't you think this looks nice?"
I glanced over briefly. "Yeah. It's nice."
Marvel smirked slightly. "Of course it is."
Something about her tone rubbed me the wrong way, but I ignored it.
I wasn't in the mood.
My phone buzzed.
Sami.
I picked it up immediately.
"Busy today."
That was it.
No "baby."
No "how are you."
Just… that.
I stared at the message longer than I should have.
Yesterday felt perfect… so why does today feel like this?
I typed back: "Okay."
And that was it.
Evening came faster than I expected.
I tried to distract myself with reading, but my mind kept wandering. The room felt smaller than usual, louder—even when no one was talking.
Then my phone buzzed again.
Hudson.
"Come outside."
I stared at the message.
Another one came in.
"I'm serious this time."
My heart started beating faster.
I shouldn't go.
I knew that.
But something in me… something restless and curious… refused to stay still.
Before I could overthink it, I grabbed a hoodie and slipped out quietly.
The night air was cool, wrapping around me as I stepped outside. The campus was quieter now, the noise of the day replaced with soft murmurs and distant laughter.
Hudson was leaning against a wall, hands in his pockets, like he had been waiting for a while.
When he saw me, he smiled.
"I knew you'd come."
"I didn't say I would stay," I replied quickly.
He chuckled softly. "Fair."
There was a brief silence between us.
Then he stepped closer. Not too close—but enough.
"You confuse me," he said.
"How?"
"You act like you're taken…" he paused, studying my face, "…but you don't look happy."
My chest tightened instantly.
"That's not true," I said quickly.
"Isn't it?"
I opened my mouth to respond… but nothing came out.
Because deep down… I didn't even know what the truth was anymore.
And then—
My phone buzzed in my hand.
Sami calling.
At the same time, something made me turn slightly.
A feeling.
That same feeling from earlier.
Like someone was watching.
Slowly…
I turned.
And my heart dropped.
Marvel.
Standing a short distance away.
Watching us.