"I told you this was not a good idea!" Oriel protested, wobbling uncertainly in high heels.
"It is! You'll get better pictures—and more exposure for modeling," Dhylan countered, juggling a large duffle bag, a backpack, and a couple of paper bags filled with her costumes.
"These heels are too high. I've never worn anything like this, not even for photo shoots." She tried to steady herself across the grass, looking more like a magician performing a rope trick than a pageant contestant.
"You'll get used to it, my Ori," he said with a grin. He wasn't the one in heels, but with all her things in his arms, he looked just as unbalanced. "You should ask Fire."
Oriel paused. "That is… the best suggestion you've ever made in your life."
She stepped again—and that's when it happened.
A misstep. A sharp cry. And in the blink of an eye, she was on the ground.
Dhylan dropped everything and ran to her, but not fast enough.
"This is all your fault!" she cried, clutching her ankle, still seated on the grass.
"I told you to be careful. There's no need to rush," he muttered with guilt.
Then, without asking, he picked her up—bridal style.
"Hey!" she protested, flustered. "People are looking!"
"They don't matter. You do."
His usual playful tone was gone. His expression was serious, the worry in his eyes unmistakable. It made her chest ache.
Yeah, right. You always say things like that... dangerously believable, DJ, she thought, her face turning red. Why do you always play like this?
School Clinic – Lunch Break
"So that's what happened," Fire said, sitting at the edge of the bed, her eyes on Oriel's wrapped ankle.
Oriel nodded, embarrassed.
"Where is he?" Fire looked around. It was odd to find Oriel alone.
"Disciplinary office," Oriel mumbled.
"What? Why?"
Oriel sighed. "He wasn't supposed to stay. We have class. But he refused to leave. The nurse eventually reported it."
Fire blinked. "Was it that bad?"
It was hard to explain. No one ever believed how Dhylan, the soft-hearted, happy-go-lucky clown, turned into a possessive storm cloud the second she was hurt.
The memory came flooding back.
"No, I won't go. I need to stay here," Dhylan had told the nurse firmly, his usual smile nowhere in sight.
"You need to attend your classes. I'll take care of her," the nurse replied calmly.
"I can talk to my professors later. They'll understand. I need to be here right now."
He sat beside her, unmoving.
"She'll be fine. I'll give her first aid," the nurse tried again, but Dhylan acted like he hadn't heard. He stayed beside Oriel without a word.
Oriel had just given the nurse an apologetic smile. She knew arguing would only escalate things. She'd done that before. It never helped.
She sighed.
"Are you alright?" Fire asked gently.
"I hate when DJ acts like this. It's just a sprain." Oriel glanced at her ankle. It hardly hurts anymore.
"I think it's a normal reaction… for someone you love." Fire smirked.
Instantly, Oriel turned to her, eyes wide.
"I told you it was a misunderstanding," she pouted.
"You're really cute, Oriel." Fire pinched her cheek. "No wonder Dhylan likes you so much."
"Fire!" Oriel whined, cheeks red.
But like always, her protests didn't reach Fire—or Dhylan.
"Hey, is it true you get kicked out after three violations?" Fire asked out of nowhere, fidgeting suddenly.
Oriel blinked. "Yeah… why?"
Fire looked rattled.
"I mean, yeah, it helps keep things in order, but it's not like you're—" Her voice trailed off as realization dawned. "Wait… you didn't…?"
Fire looked even guiltier.
"It was Ice! I was just running down the hall this morning," she blurted. "I thought he was joking! He looked serious, but… I didn't think—"
"Ice is the SSC president," Oriel said with a grimace. "He's strict. But maybe it's just a warning." She forced a reassuring smile. "Just be careful next time."
"No! He has to take it back!" Fire declared, jumping to her feet with her hands on her hips like a soldier accepting a mission.
Oriel chuckled. That's Fire. Once her mind's made up, nothing's stopping her.
Later That Night – Dormitory
"Are you sure you'll be okay?" Dhylan asked, standing just outside the door, trying to peek in.
"Yes, yes! I'm fine!" Oriel replied, pushing the door against him.
"I can ask someone to stay with you. I'll call Fire."
"I'm okay, DJ! I promise I'll call you if I need anything."
Finally, with one last push, she closed the door.
"Promise?" His voice came through softly, almost a whisper.
"Yes, I promise," she answered through the wood.
"Okay."
She listened to his footsteps fade down the hall, then let out a heavy sigh.
Thank God she didn't have a roommate. That would've been too much.
She looked down at her ankle. The pain was mild now—manageable. She flopped face-first onto the bed.
And that's when everything hit her.
The memory of his arms around her, carrying her like a bride. His scent. His face—so close, so worried.
She squeezed her eyes shut.
This is wrong. So wrong…
He's my best friend. Just my best friend. We've been like this since we were kids. This is wrong.
"Trying to act so sweet to me because of that stupid couple contest... it's unfair," she muttered into the pillow. Why did I even agree to that?
But it had been years since that contest—and Dhylan never stopped. It became a habit. His habit.
She turned to the side table. A framed photo of the two of them smiled back—the photo. The one that won them the couple contest.
"They look like a real couple," people had said.
She forced a smile. "He probably wasn't affected by it. He's always like that. Always playful. Maybe it's my fault… for being too affected."
And just like that, the memories came rushing in.
'My Ori'—him waving hello.
'My Ori'—him pouting dramatically when she kicked him.
'My Ori!'—calling her to get food.
'My Ori'—smiling, giving her a thumbs up.
And a million more versions of him, calling her that one phrase that made her heart skip.
My Ori.
"Aaaaagh!" she screamed into the pillow, trying to block the flood of memories.
But they wouldn't stop.
Next Chapter:
I was supposed to find Ice and demand he take back that ridiculous violation slip. I even had a whole speech ready, complete with dramatic sighs and perfectly timed glares.
But then I got lost. Typical.
And somehow, I ended up in the far south wing of campus, staring at a giant, glittering greenhouse that looked like it came straight out of a fantasy movie. I know I should've turned around… but curiosity is basically my middle name.
So of course, I peeked inside.
What I didn't expect? Orchids hanging like floating chandeliers, a giant magical tree growing right through the ceiling—and him.
Ice.
Fast asleep under the tree, looking way too peaceful for someone who usually acts like he's allergic to joy. With sunlight gently slipping through the leaves and soft wind brushing his hair, he looked like… a prince in a fairytale.
And maybe—I'm not saying it's a fact—but maybe, my heart skipped a beat.
...This definitely wasn't part of the plan.