Chapter 12

Drasa’s POV 

I woke up with a thundering heart, sweat clinging to my skin as my eyes darted around the room. It looked unfamiliar and that’s when it hit me.

I slept at Cassian’s house last night.

The memory of everything came rushing back, how he asked me to be his girlfriend, his hot breath against my skin, his soft lips on my neck, and the way his voice echoed through my bones. I shot up from the bed.

My eyes scanned the room like I was being watched through a hidden camera.

I had tried to go home last night, but he refused, saying it was too dangerous to walk around at night.

After catching my breath, I walked over to the door and pushed it open, peeking into the hallway. Relief filled me when I didn’t see him anywhere.

I tiptoed out, lifting my feet as gently as I could as I descended the stairs. I held my breath, trying not to make a sound.

I reached the sitting room and saw that he wasn’t there either. That gave me a bit more confidence to leave. But just as I grabbed the door handle and started to twist it open, his voice stopped me cold.

“Running off? Early in the morning?”

I turned around and saw him coming down the stairs. His hair was slightly messy, and his oversized nightwear hung loosely on his frame. His gaze raked over me from head to toe, making my legs feel like jelly.

“Good morning,” he said, walking closer and ruffling my hair like I was some kid he was babysitting.

“Morning,” I replied, barely able to get the words out through my trembling lips.

“Going home already?” He raised an eyebrow. I quickly shook my head.

“It’s still early. Come on, you can have breakfast before heading out,” he added, motioning toward the kitchen.

“I have to go… I’ve got a morning class,” I said, taking a small step back.

“But we’re in the same department,” he pointed out casually.

His words caught me off guard. My eyes shifted nervously, searching for a way to escape the conversation. Eventually, I concluded that just running off would be better.

I turned, grabbed the doorknob, and twisted it again —but it didn’t budge. I tried once more, but it was still locked. Slowly, I let go of the knob and turned to face him.

He looked pleased. A tight smile crept onto his lips.

“You didn’t expect me to leave the door unlocked all night, did you?”

Right. We had just woken up.

I opened my mouth to speak, but before I could, he walked toward me and raised his hand beside my face. I flinched, thinking he was about to touch me, but his hand reached past me, pressing something I couldn’t see. The door creaked open slightly.

“There. You can go. See you in class,” he said, turning around and walking away. My eyes followed his every move.

“What was that?” I muttered under my breath. Shaking it off, I opened the door wider and stepped outside, the morning sun hitting my face.

I flagged down a taxi and headed back home.

The whole ride, my mind was a whirlwind of thoughts.

I don’t really know what Cassian is up to. He doesn’t seem like the type to take relationships seriously, yet he wants to be my boyfriend?

The driver pulled up in front of the school, and I paid him before walking inside, heading toward my hostel, ignoring the weird looks people were giving me.

At my door, I took a deep breath before pushing it open. My roommate was in the middle of getting dressed. She didn’t look surprised to see me, but there was something in her expression that made my skin crawl.

“Good morning,” I greeted, the words barely leaving my lips.

“Coming from someone who didn’t sleep at home?” she said, turning to face me. “Tell me, where are you coming from? You do realize you’re a first-year student, right? And you’re already sleeping out? Who knows if it was a guy.”

That last part hit a nerve, and I quickly waved my hands, as if to dismiss the idea.

“Oh no, it’s not like that. Something just came up.”

“Yeah. That’s what they all say,” she muttered, returning to what she was doing.

Since when did she care about what I did? We barely even knew each other.

I stared at her for a while, then began getting ready for class.

After taking a quick bath, I returned to find she was already gone. She hadn’t even properly introduced herself.

I got dressed in a short skirt and a hoodie with a built-in cap, packed my stuff, and headed to class.

When I arrived, the class had already started. A lady lecturer was in front, and she didn’t look happy to see me.

“Don’t tell me you’re just arriving?” she asked. I nodded. “Oh, you’re a fresher, right?”

“Yes, ma’am,” I replied. She smiled like I had just told a joke.

“So, you’re a fresher, you show up late, and you have the audacity to wear slutty clothes to my class?”

Laughter erupted. My eyes dropped to my skirt as I tried to tug it down. It wasn’t even the first time I wore this outfit.

Her words became the class’s new gossip topic as people exchanged murmurs.

“Wait….did you tint your hair?” she asked, walking toward me. She pulled off my hood, and more laughter followed. I lowered my gaze, biting my lower lip, struggling not to snap.

“This is my natural hair,” I muttered.

“Good morning, ma’am,” a voice said from the back. I looked up to see Elara striding in, dressed almost like me except her clothes looked more expensive.

“Good morning, Elara. Find your seat,” the woman said, smiling broadly. My eyes widened.

“But…” 

“Shut up!” she snapped before I could finish. “You wore slutty clothes!”

“But she’s wearing something similar,” a familiar voice cut in.

I turned to see Cassian sitting at the back, staring coldly at the lecturer.

“Cassian?” she said, clearly surprised.

“I mean, don’t they look the same? Why is she being punished while Elara gets to walk in freely?”