Chapter 2

“Can you take me to the infirmary?”

Mia tilted her chin up, striking what she clearly thought was an elegant angle as she gazed up at Ethan.

Ethan’s expression darkened. He immediately stepped behind me like I was a human shield.

“No.”

Right then, Lily walked over, looking serious.

“Are you heat exhausted? I can give you a quick injection. You’ll feel better right away.”

She reached into the oversized pocket of her training uniform and pulled out a big syringe.

“Don’t be shy. It’s my secret concoction.”

“I’m fine, thank you. I feel much better already.”

Mia shot upright and bolted, like she was afraid Lily would actually stick her with a needle.

---

Later that day, I noticed our dorm door wasn’t fully closed.

As soon as I stepped closer, I heard voices inside.

“Mia, I don’t think this is a good idea… isn’t Ethan Chloe’s boyfriend?”

“So what? They’re not married. And even if they were, people get divorced.”

“Come on, Jenna, relax. I’m not going to do anything.”

I didn’t expect to overhear gossip about myself.

But after hearing Mia’s nonsense, I pushed the door open.

The room fell silent the moment I walked in.

And Mia, who had just openly talked about stealing my boyfriend, didn’t look the slightest bit guilty.

She was still stroking the tablet in her hands, completely absorbed.

“His brow is sharp and sculpted, like it was carved by hand…

“The slight downward tilt at the corners of his eyes gives him that cold, distant look…

“High nose bridge, thin lips pressed into a calm, straight line…

“A clean, defined jawline. Every movement carries this effortless, untouchable aura…”

…

Mia clutched her tablet like a total creep, muttering to herself.

“This is my destined male lead…”

Wait.

Was she… drooling over my boyfriend’s photo?

Seriously?

This girl had no shame.

Ethan was basically a campus celebrity.

Not because of anything he did, but because the Cole Hall on campus was donated by his dad.

But I was the only one who knew the truth.

His “cold and distant” vibe?

He only came off as cold because he had mild face blindness and usually couldn’t tell people apart.

That “cool, untouchable aura”?

That was because there was absolutely nothing going on in his head.

CEO material?

More like a rich kid with zero brain cells.

Ethan clung to me like crazy.

I had just hung up a call with him when I noticed Mia staring at my tablet screen.

The wallpaper was a photo of me and Ethan together.

He’d practically begged me to use it.

I glanced at Mia practicing her “innocent teary-eyed” expression in the mirror.

I looked away, pretending not to care.

But honestly, it made me feel sick.

---

“Help, that coffee spill angle is more precise than my thesis plagiarism check.”

“Classic damsel-in-distress setup. So cliché.”

“So what if it’s cliché? If it works, it works.”

“Hey, I paid for this. I want something entertaining.”

…

The floating comments suddenly appeared again.

My gut told me something was about to happen.

Sure enough, Mia walked over holding a cup of coffee.

Then, at a very deliberate angle, she “tripped” straight toward Ethan.

I shoved Ethan out of the way and, in the same motion, caught Mia by the waist.

Nice. All that kickboxing training wasn’t for nothing.

Then I let go.

Mia hit the ground hard.

Coffee splashed all over her. Her face, her clothes, even her pink princess dress were completely soaked.

I looked at her miserable state and almost laughed out loud.

“Wow, is this the evil side character? That was totally on purpose. Terrible acting.”

“Poor baby, she’s about to cry…”

…

“Oh my god, Mia, I’m so sorry,” I said sweetly. “I guess I’m just not very strong. I couldn’t hold onto you.”

“You’re not mad at me, right?”

Mia’s face turned green, then red.

I’d stolen her lines.

Served her right.

“Waaah… that was scary…” she whined, putting on her act instantly. “Chloe, did you do that on purpose?”

She turned to Ethan, pouting.

“Ethan… that really hurt. Can you blow on it for me?”