The next morning, I stood in front of the mirror again, trying to find the right balance between looking cute and not attracting too much attention. I decided on a light blue dress that flowed just above my knees, with a denim jacket to tone it down. My hair cascaded over my shoulders in soft waves, and I felt a rush of confidence as I grabbed my bag.
"Ready to go, Lila?" Alex shouted from downstairs, his voice cutting through my moment of self-assurance.
"Yeah, coming!" I yelled back, trying to ignore the flutter of nerves in my stomach.
As we rode to university, I noticed Alex's unusually tense demeanor. He kept glancing over his shoulder, and I wondered if Chris would be lurking around again. The thought sent a shiver down my spine.
Once we arrived, I spotted Jude waiting for me by the entrance, her vibrant red outfit a stark contrast against the muted tones of the crowd. She waved enthusiastically, and I felt a sense of relief wash over me.
"Hey, gorgeous! You look amazing!" Jude exclaimed, her eyes sparkling.
"Thanks! You always know how to make a girl feel good," I replied, smiling.
As we walked towards our first class, I could feel the familiar weight of stares on my back. Glancing sideways, I saw Chris leaning against a wall, his eyes zeroed in on me. My heart raced, and I quickly looked away, trying to shake off the feeling of being hunted.
"Ugh, that dude is so annoying," Jude said, catching my expression. "He keeps staring at you like you're a piece of candy."
"Tell me about it," I muttered, trying to keep my tone light. "My brother told me to stay away from him. Apparently, they have some rivalry going on."
"Well, if he keeps looking at you like that, I might just have to step in," she joked, playfully flexing her tiny arms.
We both laughed, but I couldn't shake the feeling that Chris's gaze was more than just casual interest. The class began, and I tried to focus on the lecture, but my mind kept wandering to the boy behind me.
Halfway through, I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around to find Chris with a mischievous grin plastered on his face.
"Hey, Lila, right?" he asked, his voice smooth like honey.
"Uh, yeah," I stammered, taken aback by his sudden approach.
"I heard you're new here. Need a tour guide?" he offered, leaning closer.
Before I could respond, Alex's presence loomed behind me like a dark cloud. "What do you want, Chris?" he growled, his protective instincts kicking in.
"Just making friends, Alex," Chris responded, a smirk playing on his lips. "Is that a crime?"
"With my sister? Yeah, it kind of is," Alex shot back, his voice low and dangerous.
Chris raised his hands in mock surrender, but his eyes sparkled with mischief. "No harm intended, man. Just thought I'd help her out."
"Why don't you take your help somewhere else?” Alex snapped, his grip on my shoulder tightening.
The tension in the air was palpable, and I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks. "Guys, it's fine. Really," I interjected, trying to diffuse the situation without causing more conflict.
Alex huffed and turned to face the front of the class again, but I could see the irritation simmering in his eyes.
As the class ended, I hurriedly gathered my things, eager to escape the awkwardness. Jude was chatting animatedly with another girl, and I felt a surge of gratitude for her presence.
"Hey, let's grab some coffee before our next class!" she suggested, her enthusiasm infectious.
"Sounds good!" I agreed, relieved to have a distraction.
As we walked towards the campus café, I couldn't shake the feeling that Chris was still watching me. The thought made my heart race, but I reminded myself that I could handle this. I was Lila Bennett, and no one was going to scare me off.
But just as we reached the café, I noticed Chris standing outside, leaning casually against the wall. He caught my eye and smiled, that same disarming smile that made my stomach flutter against my will.
"Hey, Lila! Fancy seeing you here," he called out, his voice smooth and inviting.
I exchanged a nervous glance with Jude, who raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by the unfolding drama.
"Great," I muttered under my breath, steeling myself for whatever was about to happen next. I couldn't let Chris's charm or my brother's protectiveness dictate my life. I was determined to carve my own path—no matter how complicated it got.
The day was far from over, and I had a feeling it was just the beginning of a whirlwind I never saw coming.
___________________________
Probably I couldn't wait to write the next chapter. So I did.
Enjoy đź’‹
Write a comment ...