CHAPTER 6: Shadows Between Them

The first light of dawn crept through the dormitory hallway, spilling pale gold across the tiles. The building was quiet, save for the shuffle of early risers with heavy steps.

Then he appeared.

Raymond Ashford.

His return was striking. His shirt was wrinkled, sleeve torn at the seam, dark hair tousled across his forehead. The faint smell of earth and pine clung to him, sharp as if the forest itself followed him back. His stride was steady, his expression unreadable, but his shoulders carried a quiet authority.

And people noticed.

A boy flattened against the lockers as Raymond passed. A girl crossed the hall to avoid him. Another whispered to her friend, both ducking their heads. They didn’t know why, couldn’t explain it, but his aura screamed danger.

He ignored them, heading straight to his room.

Inside, Alicia was awake, cross-legged on the bed, hair in a messy bun, pen tucked behind her ear. She looked up when the door opened.

“Oh.” Her lips curved into a smirk. “So you do live here after all.”

“Morning.” He shut the door behind him.

“That’s it?” she pressed. “You disappear all night and come back looking like you wrestled raccoons, and the best you can do is ‘morning’?”

He dropped his bag and tugged his shirt straight. “You’re too loud this early.”

“I’m just observing.” She tilted her head. “So… girlfriend’s bed that cozy?”

His eyes snapped to hers, sharp. “Girlfriend?”

“Relax. I’m not judging.” She grinned, folding her arms. “But at least make an effort to look less ruffled. People in the hall act like you’re contagious.”

For a moment, silence. Then his mouth twitched. “You’ve got a big mouth for someone so small.”

“I prefer sharp tongue.” She winked, grabbing her towel. “Next time, give me a heads-up before sneaking out. I could’ve celebrated having the whole bed.”

“I didn’t think you’d care.”

“I don’t.” She shrugged. “But next time, I’ll light candles.”

A low chuckle escaped him, surprising her.

“Whatever,” he muttered.

“Don’t ‘whatever’ me.” She shot him a grin before slipping into the bathroom. “Next time, leave a note.”

Twenty minutes later, Alicia emerged, hair brushed into neat waves, jeans and fitted top sharp with confidence. Raymond, freshly changed, looked his composed self again, rugged wildness erased.

“Ready?” he asked.

“Ready to watch you sulk? Always.”

They left together, banter trailing behind.

---

Lectures rolled in relentless waves. Alicia scribbled through the first, hand aching by the second, nearly collapsing in the third.

“This is torture,” she groaned.

“Assignment due next week. Group work optional,” the professor announced.

The class groaned.

“Perfect,” she muttered, dropping her forehead to her notebook.

By the time it ended, her stomach roared. She hadn’t eaten breakfast, and each step to the cafeteria was agony.

The cafeteria buzzed with laughter, clattering trays, packed tables. Then she spotted him.

Kevin.

Sitting alone in the corner, calm against the chaos.

Without hesitation, she plopped her tray opposite his. “You’re terrible at blending in.”

His eyes lifted slowly, steady and unreadable. “And you’re terrible at asking permission.”

“Permission’s overrated.” She stabbed her fork into rice. “Besides, you’re glad for the company.”

He tilted his head, studying her. “Confident, aren’t you?”

“Hard girl,” she smirked. “Confidence is just the side effect.”

A quiet chuckle.

Their conversation flowed, her sharp and playful, his guarded but witty. She noticed the line of his jaw, the faint crinkle when he smirked, but hid her admiration behind bold words.

Comfortable. Almost.

Until the air shifted.

Raymond had entered.

His gaze swept the room, landing on their table. His jaw tightened, his presence slicing the air. He strode over, dropped into the seat beside Alicia without asking.

Kevin’s fork paused mid-air. He glanced once at Raymond, then back to his food, but the tension was thick enough to choke on.

“Wow.” Alicia arched a brow. “Did I miss the memo? Is this suddenly the hottest table in the cafeteria?”

Neither spoke.

She groaned. “Fine. Stare at each other. Just don’t ruin my lunch.”

The silence stretched sharp as glass. Alicia chewed noisily just to break it. “Men. So dramatic.”

She finished quickly and escaped before the tension swallowed her.

***

Afternoon dragged.

Halfway through her elective, Alicia brushed past Raymond’s desk, elbow catching the edge.

A low, guttural sound rumbled from him.

She froze. “…Did you just growl at me?”

His eyes snapped up, startled, then cold. “You’re imagining things.”

“I’m pretty sure I heard you.”

“You didn’t.” His tone was dismissive, jaw clenched.

“Weirdo,” she muttered, sliding into her seat. But the sound lingered, unsettling.

***

By evening, she gave up finding the library after circling halls and staircases. “Forget it,” she muttered. “The library’s playing hide and seek.”

Frustrated, she trudged back to the dorm.

At her hallway, she froze. A brunette girl stepped out of her room, smiled politely. “Hi,” and left.

Confused, Alicia pushed the door open. Raymond sat casually on the bed, scrolling his phone.

“Who was that?”

“No one important.”

“Really? Because she looked important.”

He ignored her, scrolling.

Too tired to argue, she flopped on the bed. Silence stretched until he moved for the door.

“So… when will they fix this room thing? I’m tired of sharing a bed with you.”

His hand froze on the knob. “I’ll talk to the warden. But don’t expect the world to bend just because you don’t like it.”

Her jaw dropped. “Wow. You make it sound like I’m desperate to stay near you.”

He glanced over his shoulder, eyes sharp. “Maybe you are.” And left.

The door clicked shut.

Alicia sat stunned. “That cocky jerk,” she muttered, but her heart betrayed her with a jolt she couldn’t explain.

Sleep was impossible. She sat by the window, watching stars, when movement caught her eye, a shadow slipping into the forest.

Curiosity stirred. “Am I seeing things?” she whispered, but the stars offered no answer.