Meilin's POV
The classroom was fuller than usual.
Probably because Ava was here today—thankfully, thank the skies, because after the whole cafeteria blow-up, I needed her like air.
I was halfway through highlighting case law when the side door opened.
Two tall figures strolled in like they owned the floor.
Oh no.
Theo Ashford.
And Austin Blake, of course, his usual smug wingman energy on full display.
The room stilled. A few girls shifted in their seats. Someone gasped. Someone whispered. A phone was subtly raised. Again.
Theo's eyes scanned the room—and landed directly on me.
Of course.
He started walking toward my row.
Of course.
I tried to sink lower into my chair. Ava, on the other hand, looked delighted. She smirked like the entire situation was made for her entertainment.
Theo slid into the seat next to mine.
Again.
Austin took the one behind us, casually stretching and greeting people like we were in a Starbucks and not a law lecture hall.
I didn't look at Theo. Not directly. But I could see him from the corner of my eye. The way he leaned back with ease. The way his tattooed fingers drummed on the table.
And then—I noticed something.
He smelled...nice.
Like cedarwood and leather and a little bit of citrus.
Not like smoke.
I blinked.
Did he—?
"Do you not have your own classes to attend?" I asked without looking at him.
His voice came back low, smooth. "I skipped them."
"Why?"
"Because your lectures are more interesting."
I turned to glare at him, but my brain short-circuited the moment our eyes met.
Blue. So blue.
And he was looking at me like he meant it.
I quickly faced forward again, heat creeping up my neck. Ava bit back a laugh beside me.
Then I heard him murmur, just low enough for only me to hear:
"You noticed I stopped smoking?"
I froze.
He knew I'd noticed. The smugness in his voice practically oozed through the air.
I didn't say a word. Just scribbled aggressively into my notes.
But my hand was shaking just a little.