Not a Nice Meeting

Ava looked around her new room for what felt like the umpteenth time. Shutting the wooden closet door, she left where she stood and collapsed onto the bed, laying flat on her back. Emma and Dylan had just dropped her off at college a few hours ago, and she was now stuck sharing an apartment with Charlotte.

Drawing in a deep breath, Ava tried to calm her nerves.

Sure, she was the happiest woman on earth — finally free from Emma’s endless nagging — but the thought of living under the same roof as Charlotte sent an uncontrollable shudder through her body. Deep down, Ava knew it would be anything but peaceful.

The door swung open abruptly, and there stood Charlotte.

“Hey, little bitchy,” Charlotte sneered, a wicked grin curling her lips as she sauntered into the room. Her steps faltered briefly, her smile flickering when her eyes swept over the neatly organized space. She was clearly surprised that Ava had managed to transform the once-messy room in such a short time.

Ava, not remotely interested in Charlotte’s presence, shut her eyes tightly, thinking, Speak of the devil.

“You shouldn’t just lie there,” Charlotte snapped. “Since you’re done tidying your room, go fix something to eat. I’m hungry.”

Ava’s brows drew into a deep frown. She opened her eyes lazily and pushed herself up into a sitting position.

“I’m tired, Charlotte. I need to nap… please,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Charlotte’s hands trembled, and her eyes flared a dangerous shade of red.

“Are you out of your mind?” she roared, storming toward the bed. “Do I look like I care how you’re feeling? Huh? Tired or not, I don’t give a damn, Ava. If you’re going to live under my roof, you’d better learn not to defy my orders. Otherwise—” she broke off, her eyes glinting with malice.

The threat in her unfinished sentence made Ava tremble against her will.

Without another word, Charlotte stormed out of the room.

Running a hand through her hair, Ava cursed herself for being so naïve — for even daring to hope Charlotte would show her any mercy.

Of course not. She was Charlotte — a permanent thorn in her side.

The following morning…

Ava managed to slip into the lecture hall barely thirty seconds before the lecture began.

It had taken her almost the entire morning to find the place. She would have used her phone to check the map, but her device was hopelessly outdated. And being the wallflower she was, Ava couldn’t bring herself to ask anyone for directions. So gullible, she thought bitterly.

After wandering aimlessly for over an hour, she finally stumbled upon a school map and made her way to the hall.

Now seated, a bright and hopeful smile graced her face as she listened attentively to the lecturer.

It felt like a dream come true — being here, starting a new chapter.

She would work hard, excel, and finally make her family proud… especially Hazel.

The thought reminded her: she still hadn’t called Hazel to tell her she had arrived.

Ava glanced down at her battered old cellphone — the same one her parents had begrudgingly returned to her yesterday during the move.

When the lecture ended, students trickled out one after another.

But Ava stayed seated, not in a rush to leave.

She needed to find the library… but the thought of getting lost again filled her with dread.

Just then, a voice echoed through the almost-empty hall.

“Now explain to me why you came late, Freya?”

Ava flinched slightly. She had thought she was alone.

Tilting her head toward the voice, she spotted a guy and a girl standing at the far end of the hall. The guy, adjusting his glasses, was staring at the girl with unmistakable intensity.

Freya crossed her arms beneath her chest and rolled her eyes.

“Now explain to me why you seem so bothered about it, Caleb?” she shot back, arching a brow at him.

Adjusting his glasses and looking away, Caleb muttered, “I’m not bothered. I’m just concerned about your whereabouts.”

He didn’t dare meet her eyes. He knew he had overreacted.

Freya tilted her head knowingly.

He’s jealous, she thought.

“Concerned, or jealous because I went to see Ryan?” she teased, her tone soft but deliberate.

Caleb’s jaw dropped in shock. No words came out, confirming Freya’s suspicions.

Swinging her bag over her shoulder, Freya turned to leave. “Come on now. Let’s go grab lunch,” she said casually, clearly trying to change the subject.

Caleb gnawed on his bottom lip and followed her, though his heart wasn’t fully in it.

He hated the idea of Ryan being in the picture.

“Hello, excuse me,” a soft voice cut through their steps.

Both Freya and Caleb turned, surprised to see Ava approaching them.

“I’m sorry to bother you two,” Ava said with an apologetic smile. “But could you please tell me where the school library is?”

They exchanged a glance, then looked back at her.

“You’re a newbie, aren’t you?” Freya said warmly, her face lighting up with a smile.

Ava nodded, returning the smile shyly.

“Well, it’s lovely to meet such a beautiful girl in my department,” Freya said, extending her hand. “I’m Freya, and this is Caleb.”

Blushing, Ava shook her hand. “I’m Ava. And you’re beautiful too, Freya.”

Freya’s cheeks flushed pink at the compliment.

Caleb offered his hand next, a warm smile spreading across his face. Ava took it as well, feeling a little more at ease.

“It’s really nice to meet you both,” Ava said sincerely.

“The pleasure’s all ours, Ava,” Freya and Caleb chimed in unison, laughing lightly.

“Come on, Ava. Let’s have lunch first. Then Caleb and I will take you to the library afterward,” Freya suggested, grabbing Ava’s hand without waiting for a reply.

Caleb lingered behind, his gaze following the girls.

Had he suddenly become invisible to Freya?

****

At the cafeteria, the three of them found a small table.

“So tell me, Ava, what would you like to eat?” Freya asked kindly, still ignoring Caleb.

Ava quickly picked up on Caleb’s glum expression.

It was obvious: Freya was giving her all the attention, leaving Caleb completely sidelined.

Not wanting to come between them, Ava decided to include him.

“Tell us, Caleb, what should we have?” she said brightly, turning the focus to him.

A faint smile tugged at Caleb’s lips.

“No, Ava,” he replied, his voice light and teasing. “You’re the newbie. We should treat you. So — what would you like?”

Ava opened her mouth to protest when a loud shriek erupted across the cafeteria.

Everyone, including Ava, Freya, and Caleb, turned toward the commotion.

“Really? His company just launched a new perfume for women?” Layla Brook squealed excitedly to her friend.

“Yes, Layla. I’m surprised you haven’t heard yet,” her friend said, clearly amused. She knew how obsessed Layla was with anything related to Zachary Gonzalez.

Layla beamed, unable to hide her excitement. “Don’t mind me,” she said. “I’ve been pissed at Zachary ever since he embarrassed me in public. I even vowed never to like him again.”

Stella, wide-eyed, asked, “You met Zachary Gonzalez?!”

Layla’s smile widened smugly.

“Yes. It wasn’t exactly a pleasant meeting… but I still held his hand.”

Cora, who had been silent the whole time, finally spoke up.

“It wasn’t a nice meeting,” she said dryly.

Layla’s smile vanished in an instant.

“I never said it was nice, did I?” she snapped, glaring at Cora.

Cora pressed her lips together tightly, trying and failing  to hide her laughter.

At their own table, Ava remained silent, her mind reeling.

Zachary Gonzalez… even here, I can’t escape hearing about him.