We Were Never Strangers

chapter 2

ISLA

The next morning began with violence.

Not physical violence.

But definitely emotional violence.

“WHO STOLE MY HAIR CLIP?”

Maya’s voice echoed through Room 407 at exactly seven in the morning.

Half-asleep, Isla pulled her pillow over her face.

“I swear one of you is sabotaging me already,” Maya continued dramatically from somewhere near the bathroom.

“It’s literally in your hand,” Olivia’s tired voice replied.

A pause.

“Oh.”

The bathroom door opened a second later, releasing steam into the already chaotic room.

Chloe walked out calmly while tying her damp hair into a low ponytail, completely unaffected by the disaster around her.

“I’m never surviving with four other women,” Maya declared while digging through her suitcase aggressively.

“You say that like you aren’t the problem,” Serena muttered, trying to fix her eyeliner using her phone camera.

The room somehow felt smaller in the mornings.

Chargers tangled everywhere.

Open suitcases occupied half the floor.

Someone’s straightener nearly killed Olivia twice.

And despite waking up almost two hours earlier, they were still somehow running late.

“Orientation starts in fifteen minutes,” Serena warned.

Maya froze.

Then immediately screamed.

The next ten minutes passed in complete chaos.

Shoes went missing.

Someone spilled coffee.

Olivia nearly forgot her ID card.

And by the time all five girls rushed out of the dorm building together, Isla was already mentally exhausted for the day.

“This is embarrassing,” Serena groaned as they hurried across campus.

“It’s character building,” Maya argued breathlessly.

“It’s the first day.”

“Exactly. First impressions should be memorable.”

“They’ll remember us as irresponsible.”

“Same thing.”

Isla shook her head quietly, trying not to laugh as they crossed the crowded pathways.

The orientation hall was already packed by the time they arrived.

Students filled most of the seats while faculty members moved around near the stage adjusting microphones and screens.

“Oh no,” Maya whispered dramatically. “We’re those people.”

Fortunately, before panic could properly settle in, a loud screeching sound echoed through the hall speakers.

Everyone winced.

A faculty member hurried toward the microphone looking deeply stressed.

“Apologies everyone,” he announced. “We’re experiencing a small technical issue. Orientation will begin shortly.”

The entire hall collectively relaxed.

Maya placed a hand over her heart. “God is real.”

“Move,” Olivia said flatly, nudging her toward the remaining seats.

Since most rows were already full, the girls ended up splitting apart while searching for whatever spaces remained.

“I’ll sit there,” Isla said quietly, spotting an empty seat near the middle rows.

Well.

Almost empty.

A black bag rested on the chair beside it.

Oddly familiar.

Something about it tugged faintly at her memory, but Isla ignored the feeling and slipped into the available seat anyway.

Around her, the hall buzzed with conversations and restless energy.

Students scrolled through phones, whispered to friends, or complained about the delay.

Isla adjusted the sleeve of her blazer slightly before looking toward the stage.

Then—

“Move aside.”

The deep voice came from directly beside her.

Low.

Calm.

Annoyingly familiar.

Isla looked up immediately.

And found Adrian Blake standing there.

Dark clothes again.

Expression unreadable.

One hand in his pocket while the other lazily held a coffee cup.

His gaze flickered toward her with clear irritation.

Like her existence alone mildly inconvenienced him.

Isla stared right back.

Equally unimpressed.

For one long second, neither of them moved.

Then Adrian raised an eyebrow slightly.

“The seat,” he said flatly.

Only then did Isla realize she was blocking his way in.

Without a word, she shifted sideways just enough for him to pass.

He slid into the chair beside her casually, setting his coffee down near the black bag she now recognized from yesterday’s cafeteria.

Around them, whispers immediately started again.

Of course they did.

Midnight Echo’s lead singer had entered the room.

Adrian ignored all of it completely.

Typical.

Isla looked forward again, pretending not to notice the girls across the aisle staring openly at him.

Or the fact that he smelled faintly like coffee and expensive cologne.

Or the irritating familiarity of sitting beside him again after months.

Then, without looking at her, Adrian spoke quietly.

“You took longer than expected to figure out the message.”

Isla kept her eyes on the stage.

“You text like a threat.”

“I text efficiently.”

“You text like a kidnapper.”

For the first time since sitting down, the corner of Adrian’s mouth moved slightly.

Not quite a smile.

But dangerously close.

The hall slowly filled with noise again as students continued settling into their seats.

Somewhere near the front row, Maya was enthusiastically waving at Isla like she hadn’t seen her in years.

Isla ignored her.

Beside her, Adrian remained lazily leaned back in his chair, one arm resting against the armrest while scrolling through his phone with complete disinterest toward the orientation happening around him.

Typical.

A few rows ahead, several girls kept glancing back toward him every thirty seconds.

Also typical.

Before Isla could look away, one of Adrian’s band members appeared beside their row holding two coffee cups.

He had messy brown hair and the kind of relaxed confidence that came from being around attention constantly.

“You left this behind again,” he said, handing one cup toward Adrian.

Then his eyes shifted briefly toward Isla.

Interest flickered there immediately.

“Oh,” he said slowly. “You’re the girl from yesterday.”

Isla offered a polite smile.

Adrian looked unimpressed already.

The boy noticed instantly.

And grinned.

Dangerously.

“Well,” he said lightly, “I’m going before he starts glaring at me too.”

Adrian didn’t even look up from his phone.

“I already am.”

“See?” the boy sighed dramatically before walking away toward the seats near the back.

The dean had just stepped up onto the stage.

“Good morning everyone,” he began into the microphone. “And welcome to Westbridge University.”

Applause echoed politely through the hall.

As the dean continued introducing himself, Isla lifted the coffee cup and took a small sip absentmindedly.

Beside her, Adrian finally looked up from his phone.

Then he spoke quietly.

“Still stealing people’s things?”

His voice carried that same calm mockery she remembered too well.

“Some habits didn’t fade, apparently.”

A smirk tugged faintly at the corner of his mouth.

Isla turned toward him slowly.

“Why are seniors even here?”

Side glare included.

“Yup,” he replied calmly. “Question answered back with another question.”

She narrowed her eyes slightly before bending down to grab the cup near his bag and handing it toward him.

He accepted it without apology.

Of course he did.

Then casually took a sip while facing the stage again.

The orientation continued.

Faculty heads from each department were introduced one by one while giant presentation slides displayed campus regulations, academic structures, attendance requirements, internship programs, and approximately five hundred rules nobody was actually listening to.

At some point, Olivia had already fallen asleep two rows ahead.

Maya kept turning around trying to make eye contact with Isla every few minutes.

And Serena was taking notes like orientation itself was an exam.

Beside her, Adrian looked deeply disconnected from reality.

“How are you already bored?” Isla muttered quietly.

“I’ve attended this speech twice.”

She blinked once.

Then remembered.

Senior.

Right.

The dean continued enthusiastically talking about “the importance of discipline and student conduct.”

Half the hall immediately stopped listening.

A few students quietly slipped out toward the exits.

Someone near the back dropped an entire metal water bottle loud enough to echo through the auditorium.

Adrian rubbed a hand against his jaw tiredly.

“You still hate formal events?” Isla asked before thinking.

His eyes shifted toward her briefly.

“You still ask unnecessary questions?”

There it was again.

That irritating calm tone.

Like every conversation with him was halfway between annoyance and amusement.

Before Isla could respond, the dean finally announced the conclusion of orientation.

The entire hall visibly came back to life.

Students immediately started standing, talking, gathering bags.

As Isla reached down for hers, Adrian leaned slightly closer.

Close enough that nobody around them would hear.

“Family dinner at eight,” he said quietly.

Then immediately straightened again like he hadn’t spoken at all.

Isla’s grip tightened slightly around her bag strap.

Of course there was.

Without waiting for her response, Adrian stood and walked down the aisle while several students instantly turned toward him again.

The attention followed him naturally.

Effortlessly.

Like it always did.

A few seconds later, Maya practically appeared beside Isla out of nowhere.

“Oh my God.”

Isla sighed already. “What now?”

“You sat beside him for an hour.”

“And survived bravely.”

Maya ignored her completely. “Do you understand how many girls in this university would kill for your seat?”

“Concerning.”

Serena joined them while adjusting her bag on her shoulder.

“I still think they should shorten orientations. That felt illegal.”

Olivia walked beside them half-awake. “I lost consciousness twice.”

“That explains the snoring,” Chloe said calmly.

“I do not snore.”

“You absolutely do.”

The girls continued bickering while exiting the crowded hall together.

Outside, the afternoon sun warmed the campus pathways while students gathered in groups across the lawn, introducing themselves and exchanging social media accounts.

“So,” Maya announced dramatically, “since we survived our first official university event, I vote we reward ourselves with food.”

“We ate breakfast an hour ago,” Serena pointed out.

“And yet spiritually I need lunch.”

Chloe nodded once. “Valid.”

“Not the cafeteria from yesterday,” Olivia added immediately. “Too crowded.”

Maya snapped her fingers. “Wait—I saw another canteen near the arts building yesterday.”

And somehow, less than five minutes later, all five girls were already heading across campus together again.

The second cafeteria was noticeably quieter than the main one.

Smaller too.

Warm sunlight filtered through the large windows while soft music played faintly somewhere overhead, making the atmosphere calmer compared to the chaos of earlier.

“This is already superior,” Olivia declared the moment they sat down.

“Agreed,” Chloe said while opening her drink.

Maya dramatically dropped into her chair beside Serena.

“My body is physically present,” she announced. “Mentally, I’m still sitting beside Midnight Echo.”

Isla didn’t even look up from her lunch.

“Tragic.”

“It IS tragic,” Maya defended immediately. “Do you understand the cultural impact of that man?”

“You saw him for approximately one hour,” Olivia reminded her.

“And it changed me.”

Serena laughed quietly while unwrapping her sandwich.

“I still can’t believe Isla sat beside him the entire orientation.”

Maya gasped suddenly like she’d remembered something devastating.

“Oh my God, yes.”

Isla already regretted sitting with them.

“You two were literally talking,” Maya continued dramatically. “Like actual conversation.”

“He spoke five sentences.”

“That’s five more than he’d speak to me.”

Chloe leaned back slightly in her chair, arms crossed.

“You’re weirdly emotionally invested already.”

“Thank you for noticing.”

Olivia looked toward Isla curiously. “But seriously… why did it feel like you guys already knew each other?”

For exactly half a second, Isla’s fingers paused around her fork.

Tiny.

Almost unnoticeable.

Then she shrugged lightly.

“Maybe he just enjoys annoying people.”

“See?” Maya pointed aggressively. “THAT sounded personal again.”

Before Isla could answer, movement near their table caught Serena’s attention.

“Oh.”

The girls looked up almost together.

A tall guy wearing a black varsity jacket approached confidently through the cafeteria, several students greeting him as he passed.

Football team, judging by both the jacket and the amount of attention following him.

Maya visibly straightened in her seat.

“Oh no.”

“What?” Olivia asked.

“He’s coming here.”

And he was.

The guy stopped beside their table before casually sliding into the empty seat next to Olivia.

“Hi,” he said easily.

Close up, he was unfairly attractive.

Dark blond hair slightly messy, athletic build, relaxed smile.

The kind of guy who probably never struggled socially a day in his life.

Olivia blinked once in visible confusion.

“Hi?”

“I’m Mason Carter,” he introduced himself casually. “Second year.”

“Football team,” Maya whispered under her breath like a sports commentator.

Mason’s eyes moved around the table briefly before landing on Chloe for the smallest second longer than everyone else.

Interesting.

“I’ve seen some of you around campus since yesterday,” he continued. “Thought I’d say hi before the university completely destroys your mental health.”

“That’s comforting,” Serena said dryly.

“It’s honesty.”

Maya leaned forward immediately. “Do upperclassmen always approach random freshmen tables or are we just exceptionally charming?”

Mason grinned slightly. “Mostly the second one.”

“Wow,” Maya whispered emotionally. “I understand why athletes have power.”

Olivia looked deeply unimpressed already.

Then Mason turned slightly toward Chloe again.

“There’s a welcome party tonight,” he said casually. “One of the house dorms near the north residence buildings.”

Maya sat up instantly.

“A party?”

“Music, drinks, bad decisions,” Mason confirmed. “Standard university tradition.”

His gaze flickered toward Chloe again.

“You girls should come.”

Subtle.

But not subtle enough.

Especially when Chloe—who had looked bored for most of the conversation—actually seemed mildly interested now.

Maya noticed immediately.

Dangerous.

“We’ll think about it,” Chloe answered calmly.

Mason smiled slightly like that was already enough of an answer.

“Good.”

Then he stood again effortlessly.

“See you around.”

And just like that, he walked away while several girls nearby openly watched him leave.

Silence.

One second.

Two.

Then Maya let out a noise somewhere between a squeal and cardiac arrest.

“OH MY GOD.”

Serena immediately burst into laughter.

Olivia looked traumatized.

Chloe calmly took another sip of her drink like nothing had happened.

Maya pointed aggressively across the table.

“He was flirting with you.”

“He was being friendly.”

“No,” Olivia said flatly. “That was targeted.”

Serena nodded immediately. “Very targeted.”

Chloe raised one eyebrow slightly. “You people are dramatic.”

“You made eye contact for longer than three seconds,” Maya said. “That basically means marriage.”

“Please go outside.”

Maya collapsed dramatically against Serena’s shoulder. “First the musicians. Now football players. This university is exhausting.”

“You’ve been here for less than forty-eight hours,” Serena reminded her.

“And already emotionally overwhelmed.”

Eventually, after approximately ten more minutes of teasing Chloe against her will, the girls officially decided they were attending the party.

Maya looked seconds away from planning outfits already.

“You’re coming too, right?” Serena asked Isla while gathering her tray.

Isla shook her head lightly.

“I can’t.”

Four disappointed faces turned toward her immediately.

“What?” Maya gasped. “Why?”

“Family event tonight.”

Not technically false.

“A boring rich-people dinner?” Chloe guessed.

“Probably.”

Maya sighed dramatically. “Your life sounds like a Netflix subplot.”

“If there’s free food, survive it for us,” Olivia added.

The girls continued talking excitedly about the party while leaving the cafeteria together, but Isla stayed quieter than before.

Because now that the excitement had faded slightly, all she could think about was tonight.

Family dinner.

Meaning: forced smiles, careful conversations, and Adrian pretending not to irritate her for several hours straight.

Tragic.

By the time they returned to Dormitory C, the room still looked mildly destroyed from the morning rush.

Maya immediately started searching for outfits while Serena attempted to clean the disaster zone around her bed.

Olivia disappeared into headphones and coding within minutes.

And Chloe somehow managed to look expensive while doing absolutely nothing.

Isla quietly reorganized her desk before getting ready for dinner.

Unlike the others, she kept things simple.

Clean makeup.

Black fitted dress.

Minimal jewelry.

Effortlessly formal.

She had just picked up her phone while reaching for her bag when the screen lit up.

Unknown Number.

Again.

Isla opened the message immediately.

"We are to be entered together.

I'll wait a few meters away from the university gate."

No greeting.

No name.

Just instructions.

Typical Adrian behavior.

Isla stared at the message for a second before typing back.

"10 mins."