LOGINBarbara’s povI didn’t remember how I got back to the dorm.One minute, I had been standing outside the cafeteria staring at my phone while the video played in front of half the academy, and the next minute, I was running.I was running past students, past classrooms, past people whispering behind their hands and past people who suddenly knew something intimate about me that I had never intended to share.My chest hurt, my throat burned and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t stop hearing those whispers.“That’s Barbara?” I kept hearing people mutter as I ran.“She is with Tristan?” Another one said.“He chose her out of all the girls in this school?” Another one said.“What about Cheryl?” Another one said.“Didn’t he used to hate her? What changed?” Another one spat.“That video is so insane. I didn’t even know she was that skilled.” Another one muttered as I ran past her without even thinking of turning to check who it was.I pushed open the dormitory door and practically stumble
Barbara’s povThe tension in my chest didn’t fully disappear even after Cheryl left.It lingered there quietly while Tristan and I stood in the middle of the courtyard watching her walk away like a storm that promised to come back worse.For a few seconds, neither of us spoke.I think both of us were trying to process what had just happened or maybe recover from it.Honestly, I wasn’t even sure anymore.One moment I had been getting ready for what I thought was a simple lunch date.The next moment Cheryl was standing in front of me talking about Tristan like I was stealing something that belonged to her.And maybe that was the worst part because despite everything, a small guilty part of me still wondered if she was right.“You’re thinking too loudly again.” He said.I blinked and looked up.Tristan stood beside me with his hands inside his pockets, watching me carefully. “You can hear thoughts now?” I demanded.“No,” he said calmly. “But your face gives you away.”“That’s rude.”“It
Tristan povMy pulse spiked instantly because I’d texted Barbara earlier.I had told her to meet me at the courtyard.If Cheryl had my phone, then she knew exactly where Barbara would be.“Shit.”Professor Hale looked confused. “Tristan, is there something wrong?”But I was already moving too fast.I rushed out of the classroom and straight down the hallway.Students stared as I passed them.Some moved aside immediately and others whispered.I ignored all of them because now the terrible feeling in my chest finally made sense.This wasn’t about the phone.It was about Barbara, Cheryl had planned this and if she cornered Barbara alone…Who knows what she’d say to her or even worse.I pushed harder through the crowd outside, barely slowing down as I crossed campus toward the courtyard.Every ugly possibility kept replaying in my head.Cheryl exposing the video, threatening Barbara again, manipulating her and humiliating her.And honestly?The thought of Barbara standing there alone deal
Tristan’s povSomething felt wrong the second I left the dorm.At first, I ignored it.I thought maybe it was just nerves which was ridiculous already because I did not get nervous.Not before fights, not before exams and definitely not before meetings with my father.So there was absolutely no reason I should be nervous over lunch with Barbara.Yet there I was, walking across campus with my heartbeat acting strangely and my thoughts completely scattered.I felt a bit pathetic which was unlike me.Geoffrey would never let me hear the end of it if he knew.Actually, both of them would especially Jeremiah.I could already hear his annoying voice in my head. “You are so whipped, brother.” I scoffed quietly to myself and shoved my hands deeper into my pockets while continuing toward the café district near the courtyard.The weather was nice for once.There was cool breeze, cloudy skies and some of the students everywhere laughing and walking around like they didn’t have assignments threa
Barbara’s povThe second Tristan disappeared down the hallway after class, my heart started acting stupid again.I think it has completely gone stupid now, and it feels so dangerous being stupid than being mad at him. I stood outside the classroom for a few extra seconds pretending to adjust my bag while internally trying to calm myself down.“Lunch. It is literally just lunch, barbar. Why are you so excited about it?” I pondered.People ate together every day without acting like their entire world was shifting off its axis.So why did this feel so terrifying?I hated the answer immediately because it mattered and that was exactly the problem I had with it.Somewhere between the training sessions, arguments, stolen kisses, sarcastic remarks, and late-night conversations, Tristan had somehow become important to me.And honestly?I didn’t know when that happened or how or even why?But now I was standing in the middle of a crowded hallway trying not to smile like an idiot because he as
Tristan’s povThe entire class felt unbearably long.It was not because the lecture was difficult, and also wasn’t because Professor Hale was droning on about ancient territorial laws for nearly two straight hours.The main reason was because Barbara sat three rows ahead of me, and for the first time in my life, I couldn’t focus on anything else.It was ridiculous.I’d survived years of academy training, brutal combat sessions, political dinners, impossible expectations from my father, and Cheryl practically stalking me since childhood.Yet somehow, one girl agreeing to eat lunch with me had me distracted like an idiot.I hated that realization, especially because Geoffrey noticed immediately.Of course he did, that idiot noticed everything.“You’re smiling again,” he whispered from beside me.I didn’t even look at him. “I’m not.”“You literally are.” He pressed.“No.” I said.“Yes.”I sighed sharply. “Do you ever shut up?”“Sometimes.”“When?”“When I’m asleep.” He rolled his eyes an
Tristan’s povThe moment I stepped into our dorm, I already knew peace was not an option.It wasn’t because the room was loud, and also wasn't because Geoffrey was blasting music again or because Jeremiah was throwing basketballs at the wall like a caveman.No. That wasn’t the case at all.It was b
Barbara’s PovSomething about that morning already felt off for some wierd reason.Maybe it was because I woke up late and almost wore two completely different shoes to class.Maybe it was because Lily had left the room before sunrise again without saying where she was going.Or maybe it was becaus
Tristan’s povI hated mornings.It was not because I was tired and it wasn’t because of the classes either.It was definitely not because of my training with Barbara at all. In fact, I enjoy the training and I actually look forward to them every time I have one scheduled with her.Training before w
Barbara’s povI had barely had any sleep, actually I didn’t even have any sleep at all.That was a lie.I did sleep. I was just pulling y’all legs. Having training and lectures mixed every damn day is already stressful enough, surely it’s only a good sleep that can help with the stress.Being with







