CHAPTER 4

"Stratified squamous epithelium lines the buccal cavity…" the histology professor started.

I wasn't listening. I should have been. That was the main purpose of medical school, right? To become a doctor. But I was becoming something else. Right from the first week. I became a lesbian. Or bi. Last night was a revelation. Images played in my head. I wasn't in class. Only my body was.

I glanced to the left side of the lecture hall. There they were — the hot friend group I'd just gotten entangled with. Probably Aydon knew the whole story from last night. Cade must have told him we fucked. What did he think of me?

He'd switched off the lights last night. Amaye stopped. I stopped. I got up and went inside. I tapped Cade, who was just beginning to sleep.

"Come and drop me at my place," I said, tapping him repeatedly.

"Huhhh… you're leaving?" he replied, half awake.

I reached for my jeans. "Yeah. Something came up."

He got up. He didn't seem the type to question further. He picked a key off the nightstand and went out. I went to the bathroom mirror to freshen up, did light makeup. I was actively trying not to think of Amaye and Aydon. Did that count as cheating? Would they break up? How would Cade react when he found out?

I stepped out of the room into the living room. The ambient lights were still on. But loud noises of lovemaking were coming from the room adjacent. Steamy. It was Aydon and Amaye. They were loud. They'd probably gone and finished what me and Amaye started. Lucky her. Cade stood up from the couch, and we left. The ride home was silent. He made attempts at small conversation, but I shut it down almost immediately.

I got home and checked my phone. More missed calls from my boyfriend. And he'd dropped a long, emotional text apologizing. I was moved. But I wasn't the same. I was a different person. New drama had been added. Should I go back to my boyfriend and ignore the group already? That was the perfect thought. And that's what I should have done.

I could see them all concentrated in class. All jotting down everything the histology professor said. I felt bad. I made up my mind. No more friend groups. No more hangouts. I planned on sticking to my boyfriend, Donald. After all, he'd given valid reasons for his sudden change in his texts. He promised to change. I would hold on to that.

After classes, I planned to go home and rest. Facetime my boyfriend. Smooth things out. After all, Amaye had asked me to be careful of Cade.

I was packing my books when I heard someone approach.

"Hey."

"Oh hey, Kith," I responded. "How are you doing?" I added. I was relieved it wasn't anyone from the friend group.

"I'm good. I was about to head out," she said, smiling. I wondered what the smile was for.

"Same here," I said softly. We walked out.

"Have you seen the groups for the assignment?" Kith asked. We were out of the lecture hall already.

"No, I haven't."

In reality, I had no idea there was an assignment. All I'd heard in class was the first line and the dismissal line. This wasn't how I planned to start this medical journey. It could only be better from now on. But had it been bad? Being with hot people wasn't bad. But fucking two out of a group of four in one night was weird. I didn't want to say bad. And besides, I'd only made out with Amaye. Nothing more.

"We're in the same group." She pulled out her phone and showed me the list.

"Hold, let me see." I took her phone. There were six members in each group. I scanned the list, hoping for the worst. And I got it. Aydon was in the same group. Aydon, Kith, and three others. Not bad. Only one out of four. I could handle that.

"What's the topic for the assignment?" I asked her.

"The professor said we'll be given the topic next week." Kith sounded surprised. "I thought you were in class."

"I thought so too." I didn't realize I'd said it out loud. She stopped walking.

"Are you okay?" Her voice showed concern. "You can talk to me."

The last time someone said that to me, I ended up in his bed.

"Nothing much," I said calmly. "Didn't sleep well."

"Oh, you can always—"

Honk! Honk!

Kith was interrupted by the horn of a car that had stopped right in front of us.

"Hey, sugar." Cade waved, smiling. "Come in. Let me drop you and your friend."

Cade? Sugar? Me and my friend? I tried to process it all. My mind went to Donald.

"Hey." I waved back with the biggest fake smile. "Come on, Cade, it's just around the corner. Let me save you the trouble." I added, still wearing the smile. Why was it fake? He hadn't done anything bad. All he'd done was give me pleasure. Or maybe I hadn't mentioned it yet. He was a bad boy — at least according to Amaye's testimony. You'd probably find out soon enough.

"You forgot something last night. Was that intentional?" He winked.

"I'll drop by later for it," I said. I wanted him gone. Amaye was right. Her first prophecy had come true. He got the memo and zoomed off. He was in a Mercedes Maybach. And yeah, he owned the condo.

"Wow," Kith started. "Didn't sleep well, huh?" She let out a smile.

I wasn't ready for this.

"He's just a friend. Trust me." The smile disappeared from my face.

"He's the richest freshman," she said with interest.

Words fly. News travels. Yeah, you heard right. He was the richest freshman. Amaye had told me all about it last night. He'd gotten wealthy through crypto trading. He bought the condo and had a fleet of cars. He was a playboy, and I'd just played right into his net.

Amaye had told me not to leave anything behind in his room. She told me to remember that statement. I only remembered when I got home and couldn't find my necklace. But I was sure I'd had it on in the car last night. I kept touching it while he was driving me home. He probably took it when he hugged me at my door. That was his move for a second night. Disgusting, right? Why not ask me out properly? He wanted me in his bed again.

"I heard," I responded, discarding the weight of what she'd just said.

"How did you two meet? I heard he's in a friend group." She continued. "They're all cool."

Were they? Yes, they were cool and hot. I was getting tired of the conversation.

"We met through a mutual friend. He's been cool." I dragged the conversation.

But she wouldn't let go. I ended up telling her about Aydon and his goddess, Banu and Cade. About the hangout from last night and the movie. I left out the spicy parts. I ended the conversation nicely. I told her the group was a distraction from my ambitions. She agreed reluctantly.

I got to my room and headed for the shower. Then I heard a faint knock. I wasn't expecting anyone. Only Aydon and Cade and maybe Kith, knew my place. Who could it be? I stopped. Put on my bathroom robe and headed for the door. It was a small apartment compared to Cade's mansion. The place was designed for students.

I opened the door.

Amaye.

She had a bottle of wine.

The sexy goddess. With the perfect body.