Chapter 7 University

Kianna

"Oh, you're here! Ah—"

The syllables caught in my throat as I spun around. My wet sock slid across the slick tile. My arms flailed, gravity pulling me down, and I instinctively squeezed my eyes shut, bracing for the hard impact of the kitchen floor.

It never came.

A heavy, solid arm clamped around my waist, hoisting me back up before my knees could buckle. I opened my eyes to find Ares leaning over me, his face inches from mine.

"Are you alright?" he asked.

I stayed frozen in his grip, my fingers tightly clutching his forearms until my knuckles ached. He waited until my feet were steady before slowly easing his hand away from my hip.

"My fault," he said, gesturing to a thin sheen of water near the refrigerator. "The freezer seal must be leaking again. I'll get a towel."

"I-I'll just watch my step next time. Thanks," I muttered. My face was burning so hot I could practically feel the steam.

I turned and bolted down the dark hallway, shutting the guest room door behind me. 'Get a grip, Kianna.' My mind was spinning, entirely replaying the heavy warmth of his hand through my shirt. He wasn't some calculated hero in a daytime drama, and I wasn't a damsel. I threw myself onto the small mattress, pulling the duvet over my head, but exhaustion had completely evaporated.

For hours, I stared at the shadows stretching across the ceiling. Every time I closed my eyes, the memory of earlier tonight kept looping.

'“Where do you want me to sleep?” I’d asked him, trying to shatter the thick, awkward silence in the kitchen.'

'Ares had merely pointed to the door across the hall. “Right across from me. Everything is made up for you. Go wash up and get some rest; I just have to submit a few more files.”'

'“C-can we...” The words had tumbled out before I could censor them, my throat tightening as I swallowed hard. “Can we really just sleep apart like this?”'

'Ares had smiled, a soft, low expression that completely disarmed me. “Relax. I have no intention of rushing you into anything. I just want you to feel comfortable. This is our house now.” Then, he’d lifted my hand, pressing his lips to my knuckles. The fleeting heat of his mouth had sent a violent tremor straight down my spine, my heart hammering against my ribs like a trapped animal.'

I rolled over in the dark, squeezing a pillow against my chest, trying to force my brain to shut up. I just needed to sleep. I took a slow, deep breath, exhaling until the frantic thoughts finally began to blur at the edges, and the quiet of the house pulled me under.

...

Kianna

A sharp ray of sunlight piercing through the window blinds woke me. I blinked blearily, squinting at the small digital clock on the nightstand.

'11:45 AM.'

"Oh, no," I gasped, throwing the covers off.

Monday. I had a mandatory lecture at noon. I scrambled out of bed, completely skipping the shower. I threw on a clean polo, aggressively sprayed a cloud of perfume over my collar to cover up the panic, and ran out into the common room.

The house was dead silent. Ares was already gone.

I hurried into the small kitchen to grab my water tumbler, but stopped when I noticed a plate of eggs and toast sitting on the table, protected under a plastic dome. A small yellow sticky note was pressed against the glass.

'Had to head in early. Forgot to give you the heads-up last night, sorry! You looked too peaceful to disturb. Make sure you eat the breakfast. — Ares.'

A small, unbidden smile tugged at the corners of my mouth. I sat down and quickly finished every single bite, the food still remarkably fresh. Leaving the dishes for later, I grabbed my canvas tote bag and flew out the front door, running toward the main road just in time to squeeze into the last remaining bench seat of a passing jeepney.

...

The third-floor lecture hall was deafeningly loud with the pre-class rush, but near the back row of desks, a tense huddle had formed. The noon bell had already rung, and the professor’s desk remained empty—but so did a very vital seat in the middle aisle.

"It makes no sense," Miaree said, her fingers nervously twisting the strap of her lanyard as she leaned over the desk. Her brow was pulled into a deep, frustrated line. "Kia hasn't been late a single day this semester. She didn't even drop a text in the group thread to say she was skipping."

Marc, the class representative, rubbed his temples, his face pale under the harsh fluorescent lights. "If she doesn't show up before Mrs. Ramos walks through that door, we’re all going to catch hell. You know how that woman operates. She’ll think the entire block is disrespecting her syllabus."

"Do you two ever shut up?"

Vera’s voice cut through the chatter from three rows down. She didn't bother looking up from her compact mirror, her fingers carefully adjusting her lipstick. "If Kianna wants to tank her attendance record, let her. Sit down and stop clucking. You're making enough noise to give the entire room a headache."

Miaree’s jaw locked. She dropped her notebook onto a chair and marched straight down the aisle, stopping directly in front of Vera’s desk. "Mind your own business, Vera," she snapped, pointing a sharp finger at the desktop. "Nobody invited you into this conversation. Go find your own crowd to bother."

Vera slammed the compact shut, a blotchy red flush creeping rapidly up her neck as she stood up to meet Miaree’s height. "How dare you speak to me like that? You are absolutely nothing compared to Kianna, and you're certainly not on my level."

Miaree let out a short, biting laugh, her eyes narrowing to slits. "You're right. We aren't on the same level. You haven't even managed to climb up here yet, Eunice."

The use of her middle name struck a visible nerve. Vera’s face contorted with rage. "Don't you use that name with me, you filthy mutt!" she shrieked, her voice echoing violently off the concrete walls. She snatched a thick, hardcover textbook from her desk and hurled it straight at Miaree's head.

Miaree dipped her shoulder with practiced ease, the heavy book sailing past her ear and slamming into the whiteboard behind her with a loud, echoing crack.

"You're barking pretty loud today, Vera," Miaree said, leaning her hands on her hips as a mocking grin touched her lips. "Did someone forget to tighten your leash?"

...

Kianna

"Hey—sorry I'm late!"

I slid through the heavy wooden doorway, my breath coming in short, ragged gasps as my tote bag slipped off my shoulder. The entire room froze, the lingering echo of Vera’s shouting match still hanging thick in the air. I offered an apologetic smile to the stunned class and quickly made my way down the aisle toward my usual seat.