Chapter five

I snap back to myself and shove his hand off my neck. My legs move before my brain does, I scurried out of the room, heart pounding like it wants to rip out of my chest. I try to think, to make sense of anything, but my head is just… blank. Empty. I don’t even remember I was supposed to charge my dying phone. My hands shake so much, I can’t even wipe the sweat ruining my makeup.

The party is still going, but it might as well be over for me. I need my bed. I need silence. I need to pretend I didn’t just see Sebastian—my own roommate—kissing a guy like his life depended on it.

My heels ache with every step. I don’t see a cab, and have no car. So I had to walk. My feet screamed, and I swear they’re bleeding by the time I reach the dorm. I kick the heels off the second I step inside, not caring where they land, and collapse on my bed.

 I can’t sleep. 

My eyes were heavy, not sleepy—just heavy from what it had witnessed. My body shakes a little. But at least I’m lying down. i was relieved muscle-wise.

Not quite long, the door opens. Sebastian walks in like nothing in the world is wrong.

“Get up,” he says, voice sharp.

And stupidly, I listen. I sit up like a scolded child.

He bursts into laughter. “I fooled you.”

My brain glitches. “You… fooled me? How?” My eyes lock on his, searching for something that makes sense.

“It was a dare,” he says, smirking. “To see your reaction. You thought I’d actually be as stupid as you? You're good-for-nothing.” He walks to his bed like he didn’t just rip my brain open.

“Sebastian, you and I knew that wasn’t a dare” i said shaking my head. The math is not mathing at all. But I still don’t understand why he's trying to cover up who he really is.

I took a step closer. I wanted to touch his shoulder, to tell him it’s okay.

“Sebastian,” I say quietly, “I’m going to hold your hands and tell you this—there’s a liar in our midst, and trust me, it’s not me.”

He scoffs. “Who the hell would believe you? Everyone is going to say you just want to stain my white, just like you've ruined your life.” His jaw twitches. “Take it or leave it—it was a dare.” 

“But I promise you, if another human hear of what had happened i would honestly rip your mouth, and you wish you were never born”

He brushes past me, heads into the shower, and comes out minutes later. Then he lies on his bed calmly. Peacefully. Like nothing happened at all.

Like he didn’t just threaten me.

Like he didn’t just lie.

I tried to convince myself it was just a dare, but the thought sat in my chest like a stone. Still, I forced myself to believe it. For now. I needed a friend to talk to. 

The room felt too quiet, too empty. I lay down and eventually drifted off.

When I woke up, Sebastian was still asleep, sprawled across his bed like he seemed to have no worries in the world. I went into the bathroom, splashed water on my face, brushed my teeth, and put on my shorts and an oversized white tee that hung off one shoulder. Comfortable. Normal.

My stomach rumbled, so I headed to the kitchen. Cooking always calmed me. I diced tomatoes, tossed onions into hot oil, stirred it all with pepper and seasoning until the aroma filled the entire room. My food always slapped. Whoever ends up with me would never want to lose a man like me. That thought alone made my lips tug and my eyes squint with pride. Sebastian had never tasted my food. I've seen him salivates. I mean, the aroma never lies.

Sebastian still hadn’t moved. I swear that boy sleeps like he’s being paid for it.

I sat down and started eating, biting into the hot, well-spiced food like I’d been starving for days. Halfway through my plate, I heard movement. Sebastian finally woke up, dragged himself to the bathroom, then returned wearing jeans and a shirt he didn’t bother buttoning. His chest was on full display.

Of course he looked good. Annoyingly good. I pretended not to notice.

Since it was a public holiday, I decided to go on my usual stroll. I prayed—literally prayed—to meet someone today. A friend. A crush. A soulmate. Anybody.

I stepped out in my sexy casual outfit, shoulders back, confidence loud. As usual, eyes turned. Let them look. They wish.

I was just a few steps away from the love garden, where I liked admiring flowers and watching people move around, when someone tapped my shoulder.

“Hey… you look lovely. I could’ve mistaken you for an actual angel.” The guy smiled warmly.

“Thank you,” I said, cheeks warming up. That smile, it was the kindest expression I’d seen in months. “I’m heading to the garden. You mind joining?”

“Oh, me too. I’m Isaiah.” He stretched his hand for a handshake.

“I’m Lucas.” I shook his hand, silently thanking the heavens like my prayer had just been signed, sealed, delivered.

We walked together, laughing about the dumbest things—our favorite snacks, the weird lecturers on campus, couples who make out like public display is a sport. People stared, but he didn’t care. I liked that.

“You a fresher?” I asked.

He shook his head, smiling. “No. I’m in my third year.”

“Oh, that’s cool. Guess that’s why I didn’t see you at the party.”

We wrapped up our conversation, exchanged contacts, and eventually went our separate ways. I practically headed back to my dorm, excitement buzzing in my chest.

But the moment I stepped inside, reality slapped me across the face.

“You look stupid in that outfit,” Sebastian muttered without even looking up.

“At least I’m not in denial, Sebastian,” I shot back instantly.

His head snapped toward me.

“Say that again and watch what happens.”

His voice dropped. Cold. His jaw clenched. His eyes darkened like a storm about to break.