Chapter 10: Midnight Mischief

Lucia was not someone who actively sought trouble. Unlike Mia, she preferred to handle conflicts with reason. But when someone messed with her people, all bets were off.

And Jake? He had messed with her person.

So here she was, dressed in all black, sneaking out of the dorm like a character from a poorly planned heist movie.

As she stepped into the dimly lit corridor, she checked her phone. 1:37 AM. Perfect. Most people would be fast asleep.

She moved swiftly across campus, avoiding the occasional night owls still loitering around. It wasn’t that far to the boys’ dorm, and when she arrived outside Jake’s building, she took a deep breath.

Time for some payback.

But as she turned the corner toward Jake’s room, she came face-to-face with someone equally dressed in black.

Both girls froze.

Mia blinked. “Lucia?”

Lucia blinked back. “Mia?”

A beat of silence.

Then, at the exact same time—

“What are you doing here?”

Another pause. Then, realizing the answer was obvious, the two of them burst into laughter.

Mia wiped a tear from her eye. “I knew you had a little chaos in you.”

Lucia grinned. “I was about to say the same thing.”

Mia crossed her arms. “Alright, what’s your plan?”

Lucia smirked. “Haven’t decided. Maybe something involving toothpaste in his hair? Maybe ruining his alarm so he wakes up late?”

Mia scoffed. “Amateur. I was thinking something more memorable.”

Lucia tilted her head. “Go on.”

Mia’s grin turned mischievous. “Ever heard of instant itching powder?”

Lucia gasped. “You brought some?”

Mia pulled a small packet out of her pocket and wiggled it between her fingers. “Always prepared.”

Lucia shook her head in admiration. “Remind me never to get on your bad side.”

Mia winked. “Too late, you already have.”

The two girls crouched near Jake’s door, trying to keep their giggles to a minimum. Lucia took out a hairpin and started fiddling with the lock.

Mia raised an eyebrow. “Since when do you know how to pick locks?”

Lucia smirked. “Since I had to break into our dorm room that one time after forgetting my key.”

Mia grinned. “I’m so proud.”

With a satisfying click, the door creaked open. They both held their breath, peeking inside.

Jake was snoring loudly, sprawled across his bed like a man with no worries.

Lucia and Mia exchanged a glance before silently tiptoeing inside.

Phase One: Itching Powder. Mia sprinkled a generous amount over his sheets and pillow.

Phase Two: Alarm Sabotage. Lucia adjusted his alarm to blast an obnoxious, embarrassing ringtone—something with cartoon ducks screaming.

Phase Three: Final Touches. Mia scribbled a very artistic drawing on his mirror with lipstick.

Lucia held back laughter. “What is that even supposed to be?”

Mia shrugged. “Abstract art. He deserves confusion along with discomfort.”

Lucia fist-bumped her. “Let’s get out of here before we get caught.”

The girls slipped out of the room, quietly shutting the door behind them. But just as they turned to leave—

“AHEM.”

Both girls froze.

Standing at the end of the hallway was a very unimpressed dorm supervisor, arms crossed.

Mia muttered under her breath, “Welp. We had a good run.”

Lucia forced a smile. “Uh… we were just… sleepwalking?”

Mia nodded. “Yep. We do that. Together. In black clothing. Frequently.”

The supervisor sighed. “Disciplinary session.”

Lucia groaned. “Figures.”

—

Back in the Dorm

Sarah stirred, blinking at the dimly lit room. Something felt off. She turned her head toward the other beds—

Empty.

Her stomach dropped.

“Oh no,” she whispered.

She didn’t need to guess where they had gone. She knew.

Grabbing her phone, she prepared for the worst.

Because if Mia and Lucia had teamed up?

Jake was doomed.