We Were Never Strangers

CHAPTER 8

CHAPTER 8

ADRIAN

The drive toward Isla's dorm was surprisingly quiet.

Mostly because neither of them seemed interested in continuing the argument.

For once.

The campus lights blurred past the windows while Isla sat in the passenger seat scrolling through something on her phone.

Occasionally muttering under her breath.

Probably about him.

Reasonable.

By the time he pulled up outside her dorm building, she was already reaching for the door handle.

"Thanks."

The word sounded reluctant.

As if physically painful to say.

Adrian almost laughed.

"You're welcome."

She stepped out.

Shut the door.

And immediately headed toward the entrance without another glance back.

Typical.

For several seconds Adrian remained parked exactly where he was.

Watching her disappear inside.

Then he drove away.

Unfortunately—

his brain immediately betrayed him.

Again.

What exactly was her problem?

Seriously.

Every time she was around other people, she looked completely different.

She laughed.

Smiled.

Talked easily.

With Daniel.

With Chloe.

With Maya.

Even with random strangers.

Yet whenever she spoke to him—

they argued.

Constantly.

About everything.

Coffee.

Projects.

Classes.

Parking.

Walking.

Breathing.

Probably.

Adrian sighed.

This was ridiculous.

He shouldn't be thinking about any of this.

And yet—

his thoughts drifted back toward the library.

The way she'd dramatically collapsed into the chair after finally finding him.

The way she'd argued over every project topic.

The way she'd looked genuinely excited when one of her ideas started making sense.

Her expressions were annoyingly easy to read.

Every emotion appeared immediately.

Frustration.

Excitement.

Annoyance.

Satisfaction.

Everything.

Unlike most people.

Unlike him.

Another sigh escaped.

Unbelievable.

He was analyzing facial expressions now.

This had officially become a problem.

By the time he reached the Midnight Echo house, he was thoroughly annoyed with himself.

The front door opened.

And chaos immediately greeted him.

The living room was packed.

Band members.

Friends.

Students from different majors.

Some sitting on couches.

Others sprawled across the floor.

Someone had stolen Ethan's gaming controller.

A debate about football was occurring near the television.

Normal.

Mostly.

The moment Adrian stepped inside—

the room went strangely quiet.

Adrian stopped.

Suspicious.

Very suspicious.

Several people exchanged looks.

Then someone near the couch shouted,

"ISLA!"

The room exploded.

Immediately.

Whispers.

Laughter.

Comments.

Questions.

Adrian closed his eyes.

No.

Absolutely not.

Luca appeared from the kitchen carrying a bottle of water.

He looked around.

Then at Adrian.

"What happened?"

Adrian already knew he wasn't going to like the answer.

A girl sitting on the couch immediately held up her phone.

A picture filled the screen.

Adrian.

Outside campus.

Standing beside his car.

Holding the passenger door open.

For Isla.

Wonderful.

Absolutely wonderful.

"Why does everyone have this?" Adrian asked.

"Because the internet exists," someone replied.

Fair.

Unfortunately.

Ethan appeared from nowhere.

Like a problem summoned by dark magic.

"You."

Adrian sighed.

"What?"

"I thought you said the rumors weren't true."

"They aren't."

Ethan pointed dramatically at the photo.

"Then explain this evidence."

"It's a ride."

"It's a suspicious ride."

"It isn't."

"It looks suspicious."

"It isn't."

Ethan narrowed his eyes.

Then smirked.

"Can't really blame you though."

Adrian already disliked where this was going.

"Blame me for what?"

Ethan shrugged.

"Bennett's attractive."

Silence.

A dangerous silence.

Something sharp immediately settled in Adrian's chest.

Annoyance.

Irritation.

Something.

Whatever it was—

he didn't like it.

"Shut up."

Ethan blinked.

The room blinked.

Even Noah looked surprised.

Adrian realized his mistake immediately.

Too late.

Way too late.

Without another word, he turned and headed upstairs.

Ignoring every stare aimed in his direction.

Ignoring Ethan yelling after him.

Ignoring Noah's increasingly suspicious expression.

The moment his bedroom door shut behind him, silence returned.

Finally.

For approximately ten seconds.

Then his thoughts returned.

Unfortunately.

Why had he reacted like that?

The comment wasn't even offensive.

Objectively speaking—

Ethan was right.

Isla was attractive.

Most people would agree.

So why had hearing someone else say it annoyed him?

Adrian stared at the ceiling.

Then immediately decided he didn't want the answer.

---

The next morning began exactly the way every morning at the Midnight Echo house began.

With chaos.

Luca stood at the stove making breakfast.

Ethan hovered nearby pretending to help.

Which mostly consisted of stealing food.

Noah sat at the kitchen island scrolling through his phone while contributing absolutely nothing.

A valuable tradition.

Adrian entered.

Noah noticed him immediately.

Unfortunately.

A grin appeared.

Dangerous.

Very dangerous.

"Good morning."

Adrian grabbed coffee.

"Morning."

Noah looked down at his phone.

Then loudly announced to absolutely nobody,

"Crazy how some people are becoming campus celebrities."

Adrian ignored him.

"Some people are even opening car doors now."

Still ignored.

"Ethan, did you know chivalry isn't dead?"

Ethan immediately understood.

"Oh."

Luca sighed.

"Here we go."

Adrian sat down.

Determinedly silent.

Noah looked deeply disappointed.

Then his own phone buzzed.

A notification appeared.

Party Tonight.

Football House.

8 PM.

Open Invitation.

Adrian glanced up.

"What's that?"

"The party," Ethan replied.

"What party?"

"The football guys are hosting tonight."

Across the table Noah immediately looked interested.

Far too interested.

"Oh right."

Adrian regretted asking already.

Noah continued scrolling casually.

"You know."

Silence.

"Noah."

"What?"

Noah looked up.

Entirely innocent.

A terrible sign.

"I heard Coffee Girl is going."

Adrian froze for approximately half a second.

Nobody else noticed.

Unfortunately—

Noah did.

Luca looked up from breakfast.

"How do you know that?"

"Oh."

Noah shrugged.

"I overheard Mason talking."

Another pause.

Then—

"He said he was introducing her to someone."

Ethan looked interested immediately.

"Really?"

"Apparently."

Noah nodded.

"Some friend of his."

Luca frowned.

"Why?"

Noah spread his hands.

"No idea."

Then he glanced toward Adrian.

Casually.

Far too casually.

"The guy's interested in her though."

Silence.

The kitchen became very quiet.

Adrian stared at his coffee.

Then at Noah.

Then back at his coffee.

A terrible feeling settled somewhere in his chest.

Annoying.

Unreasonable.

Completely irrational.

Which somehow made it worse.

Across the island, Noah's grin widened.

Slowly.

Dangerously.

Adrian immediately stood.

"I'm not going."

"What?"

"The party."

Noah looked delighted.

"Nobody asked."

"I'm not going."

"Sure."

"I'm serious."

"Absolutely."

Adrian pointed at him.

"I mean it."

Noah nodded sympathetically.

"Of course."

A beat.

Then Ethan looked between them.

"He's definitely going, isn't he?"

Luca took a sip of coffee.

"One hundred percent."

And for the first time that morning—

Adrian wasn't entirely sure they were wrong.

ISLA

The dorm room was unusually quiet.

Which should have been her first warning.

Isla sat cross-legged on her bed, scrolling through research articles while trying to pretend Professor Carter's project didn't currently occupy half her brain.

Unfortunately—

peace never lasted long around her roommates.

The door burst open.

Chloe walked in carrying three shopping bags and a coffee.

A suspicious combination.

"Important question."

Isla didn't even look up.

"No."

"You don't know the question."

"I know enough."

Chloe ignored her.

"What are you wearing tonight?"

Isla finally looked up.

"What?"

"Tonight."

"What about tonight?"

Chloe stared.

Then looked horrified.

"Oh my God."

Isla narrowed her eyes.

"What?"

"The party."

Silence.

"What party?"

Chloe dropped dramatically onto her bed.

"The party."

"That explains nothing."

"The one Mason is hosting."

The moment Mason's name appeared, a faint blush crept onto Chloe's cheeks.

Immediately noticeable.

Immediately entertaining.

Unfortunately for Chloe—

Maya noticed too.

Dangerous.

Very dangerous.

"Mason?" Maya repeated.

Her head snapped up from where she was pretending to study.

"What party?"

Chloe immediately regretted speaking.

Too late.

Maya was already moving.

Within seconds she was sitting beside Chloe.

Interrogation mode activated.

"What party?"

"Nothing."

"That's a lie."

"It's not."

"It is."

"It isn't."

"It is."

Olivia looked up from her laptop.

"She's blushing."

Chloe pointed at her.

"Traitor."

"Observation."

Serena laughed.

Meanwhile, Maya looked delighted.

"Oh my God."

She grabbed Chloe's arm.

"Tell me everything."

For the next two minutes Chloe explained the party.

Who was hosting.

Where it was.

How half the university seemed to be attending.

And somehow—

the conversation circled back toward Isla.

Which was unfortunate.

Very unfortunate.

Chloe pointed directly at her.

"Anyway, what are you wearing?"

"Nothing."

Silence.

Maya blinked.

Olivia blinked.

Serena blinked.

Chloe looked offended.

"You're not going?"

"No."

"Why?"

"Because I enjoy peace."

"That's not a reason."

"It absolutely is."

Chloe rolled her eyes.

Then leaned forward dramatically.

"Mason literally invited you."

"And?"

"And."

"And?"

Chloe pointed.

"He wants to introduce you to someone."

The room exploded.

"WHAT?"

Maya practically screamed.

Every head turned toward Isla.

Including Olivia.

Including Serena.

Including a girl passing in the hallway.

"How did I miss this?" Maya demanded.

"When did this happen?"

"Who is he?"

"Is he hot?"

"Why wasn't I informed?"

Isla immediately regretted existing.

Again.

A recurring theme.

"It was one conversation."

"A conversation about a guy."

"Not helping."

Maya looked betrayed.

"Do you understand how important this information is?"

"No."

"It is extremely important."

"It really isn't."

"It is to me."

Olivia closed her laptop.

Fully invested now.

"This explains why Chloe wants you to go."

Chloe looked caught.

"Maybe."

"Aha."

Serena laughed.

"You're all ridiculous."

"Correct."

For the next ten minutes the girls launched a coordinated campaign.

An aggressive one.

Every excuse Isla gave was immediately destroyed.

"I have work."

"You have tomorrow."

"I'll be tired."

"You'll survive."

"I don't want to."

"Not a valid argument."

Eventually—

after far too much persistence—

Isla sighed.

Defeated.

"Fine."

The room erupted.

Maya screamed.

Chloe nearly dropped her coffee.

Olivia looked victorious.

Serena laughed.

The decision had been made.

Unfortunately.

Five seconds later Maya was already standing in front of Isla's wardrobe.

Dangerous.

Extremely dangerous.

"No."

"Yes."

"Maya."

"We have work to do."

"This isn't your wardrobe."

"It is now."

Before Isla could stop her, Maya had already started pulling dresses out.

The first option appeared.

Bright pink.

Absolutely not.

The second option appeared.

Far too sparkly.

Also no.

The third looked like something a celebrity would wear to a red carpet.

Definitely not.

One by one dresses appeared across the room.

Across beds.

Across chairs.

Across any available surface.

Chaos.

Complete chaos.

Chloe eventually joined.

Then Serena.

Then Olivia.

The room looked like a fashion explosion.

Meanwhile Isla sat on her bed wondering how her life had reached this point.

Finally—

after approximately seventeen debates and three near arguments—

they found it.

A cherry-red dress.

Simple.

Elegant.

Spaghetti straps.

Fitted perfectly.

Ending mid-thigh.

Not overly dramatic.

Not boring.

Just enough.

Maya gasped.

"Oh."

Chloe froze.

"Oh wow."

Serena nodded approvingly.

"That's the one."

Even Olivia looked impressed.

Isla glanced at herself in the mirror.

Then sighed.

"Fine."

The celebration restarted.

The next hour was pure chaos.

Music played through someone's speaker.

Makeup products covered every available surface.

Hair tools mysteriously appeared from nowhere.

At one point Serena and Maya nearly started an argument over eyeliner.

Olivia became the voice of reason.

A shocking development.

By seven-thirty, everyone was almost ready.

Chloe wore a champagne-colored dress that somehow made her look both elegant and nervous.

Especially whenever Mason's name was mentioned.

Maya chose black.

Simple.

Dangerous.

Very Maya.

Olivia wore a silver top paired with a black skirt.

Stylish without looking like she'd spent three hours getting ready.

Even though she definitely had.

Serena wore a sparkling silver dress that immediately caught the light whenever she moved.

And Isla—

the cherry-red dress.

Her hair fell loosely around her shoulders.

Simple makeup.

Nothing excessive.

Just enough.

For a moment, the room went quiet.

All five girls looked at each other.

Then Maya placed a hand over her heart dramatically.

"We look incredible."

Chloe laughed.

Serena nodded.

Olivia grabbed her purse.

"Let's go before Maya starts crying."

"I am not crying."

"You look close."

"I am emotional."

"That's worse."

Maya pointed dramatically toward the door.

"Tonight, ladies—"

"No speeches."

Maya looked offended.

"I worked hard on that."

"No speeches."

A collective lauvh filled the room.

Then together–

The girls headed out to biggest party of semester.

Across campus, the football house was already filling with students.

Music echoed through the neighborhood.

Drinks were flowing.

Bad decisions were being made.

The party was loud.

Ridiculously loud.

Music shook the walls.

People danced in every available space.

Someone was already standing on a table.

Someone else was arguing passionately about football.

A couple was making out near the staircase.

Another couple was making out near the kitchen.

And somehow—

Adrian had ended up here.

He still wasn't entirely sure how.

A plastic cup rested in his hand.

The drink tasted terrible.

Yet somehow Ethan had convinced him to try it.

A mistake.

Several mistakes, actually.

Beside him, Noah looked far too pleased with life.

"You know," Noah said casually, "you could just admit you wanted to come."

"I didn't."

"You did."

"I didn't."

"You absolutely did."

Adrian took another sip.

Mostly to avoid answering.

Unfortunately—

the front door opened.

And the entire room shifted.

Students greeted new arrivals.

People turned.

Conversations paused.

Chloe entered first.

Immediately Mason abandoned whatever game he'd been playing.

Without hesitation, he crossed the room.

Straight toward her.

Noah noticed first.

"Oh."

Mason reached Chloe.

Smiled.

Then leaned down and pressed a quick kiss against her lips.

A simple greeting.

Comfortable.

Natural.

Chloe immediately blushed.

The room around them erupted into whistles.

Mason ignored all of them.

Then greeted the girls beside her.

And that's when Adrian saw her.

Isla.

Everything else faded.

The music.

The conversations.

The ridiculous football chant happening somewhere behind him.

Gone.

For one stupid second—

his entire attention landed on her.

Red.

That was the first thing he noticed.

The dress.

Cherry red.

The color somehow making her impossible to ignore.

Her hair fell loosely around her shoulders.

She was laughing at something Maya said.

Completely unaware of the effect she was having on the room.

Or maybe she knew.

Adrian honestly couldn't tell.

Noah followed his gaze.

Then immediately elbowed Ethan.

Hard.

"Ow."

"Look."

Ethan looked.

Then froze.

"Oh."

"Oh," Noah repeated.

Neither of them were subtle.

Not even slightly.

Adrian ignored both.

Or tried to.

Because unfortunately—

the group was moving toward them.

Mason leading the way.

The girls following behind.

And for one ridiculous moment—

Adrian forgot how conversations worked.

It wasn't the first time he'd seen Isla dressed up.

University events.

Presentations.

Department dinners.

There had been other occasions.

But tonight felt different.

He couldn't explain why.

And that annoyed him.

A lot.

Then—

Isla glanced up.

Their eyes met.

Just for a second.

Then she kept walking.

Straight past him.

Without stopping.

Without speaking.

Without acknowledging the internal crisis currently occurring in his brain.

Wonderful.

Absolutely wonderful.

Mason guided everyone toward a group of football players standing nearby.

"Guys."

The players looked up.

Immediately interested.

"Meet the girls."

Introductions started.

Names.

Handshakes.

Jokes.

Then Mason rested a hand on one player's shoulder.

"This is Ryan."

Ryan Walker.

Football team's star wide receiver.

Tall.

Confident.

The type of guy who knew exactly how attractive he was.

Unfortunately.

He smiled directly at Isla.

And Adrian immediately disliked him.

For absolutely no reason.

"Nice to meet you."

Isla smiled politely.

"You too."

Ryan's grin widened.

Dangerous.

Very dangerous.

Meanwhile the other players began introducing themselves to Serena, Olivia, and Maya.

The conversation quickly split into smaller groups.

Before leaving, Mason leaned down.

Pressed a quick kiss against Chloe's cheek.

And handed her his cup.

"I'll grab your drink."

Chloe immediately turned pink.

Again.

The second Mason disappeared—

Maya exploded.

"THAT WAS SO CUTE."

Several people turned.

Nobody was surprised.

Chloe buried her face in her hands.

"Maya."

"No."

"Maya."

"No."

"You are impossible."

"I know."

Then Maya pointed dramatically between Chloe and Mason.

"The kissing."

"Oh my God."

"The cheek kisses."

"Stop."

"The greeting kisses."

"Stop."

"The little smile—"

"STOP."

The girls laughed.

Chloe looked seconds away from combusting.

Then Maya suddenly looked toward Adrian.

A dangerous expression appearing.

"Oh."

Maya grinned.

"What?"

"Me and Adrian are matching."

Silence.

Isla blinked.

Chloe blinked.

Olivia immediately looked interested.

Maya pointed across the room.

"Look."

Against her better judgment—

Isla looked.

Black shirt.

Dark jacket.

Subtle.

But undeniably there.

Maya gasped dramatically.

We would actually look good together."

A strange feeling settled in Isla's chest.

Small.

Brief.

Sharp.

Gone before she could fully understand it.

She frowned.

Confused.

Was it because of Chloe and Mason?

Because she'd always imagined something easy and sweet like that?

Or—

No.

Definitely not the second option.

Before she could think further—

someone snapped fingers in front of her face.

She looked up.

Daniel.

"Hello?"

"Oh."

A smile appeared.

"When did you get here?"

"Five minutes ago."

Daniel looked at her outfit.

Then smiled.

And for some reason—

his expression softened.

"You look stunning tonight."

The girls immediately went silent.

Dangerous.

Very dangerous.

Daniel noticed.

Too late.

"I mean—"

He cleared his throat.

Then gestured toward everyone.

"You all look amazing."

The girls burst out laughing.

Daniel looked betrayed.

Across the room—

Adrian heard every word.

And his mood somehow worsened.

Again.

Without another glance, he turned and walked away.

---

A few minutes later Daniel was pulled away by one of his friends.

The group slowly scattered.

People joined games.

Started dancing.

Grabbed drinks.

Eventually—

Ryan returned.

Holding two cups.

"Here."

Isla accepted one automatically.

Then paused.

"I don't really drink."

"It's light."

Ryan smiled.

"You'll survive."

She hesitated.

Then finally accepted it.

"Fine."

"That's the spirit."

Nearby—

Serena disappeared toward the dance floor.

Olivia was approached by two engineering students.

Maya whispered something about finding Adrian.

Then vanished.

Leaving Isla and Ryan alone.

Exactly as Ryan had planned.

The football player smiled.

"So."

"So?"

"I've been hearing about you."

That sounded suspicious.

"Oh?"

"You're apparently terrifying."

A laugh escaped her.

"I'm not."

"That's disappointing."

"And why is that?"

Ryan leaned slightly closer.

"I like challenges."

Smooth.

Unfortunately.

Very smooth.

Isla laughed again.

And the conversation continued.

---

Across the room—

Adrian stood near the kitchen.

Already regretting attending.

Beside him stood Daniel.

An equally unfortunate development.

For a few moments neither spoke.

Then Daniel glanced towards Adrian.

"So."

Adrian already disliked that tone.

"So?"

Daniel smirked slightly.

"You and Isla."

"No."

Daniel laughed.

A beat passed.

Then Daniel folded his arms.

"How long have you known her?"

Adrian looked at him.

"A while."

"Interesting."

"What is?"

Daniel shrugged.

"You act like you know her."

"And you don't?"

The smile faded slightly.

Just slightly.

"Maybe I do."

The conversation shifted.

Subtly.

Dangerously.

"So what's your relationship?"

"Project partners."

"That's all?"

"Yes."

Daniel looked unconvinced.

Adrian looked annoyed.

Neither backed down.

Neither looked away.

The conversation remained calm.

Polite.

Civilized.

Which somehow made it worse.

Then—

Someone crashed into Daniel's shoulder.

Hard.

"What the—"

Daniel turned.

Annoyed.

Ready to complain.

The words died instantly.

Because standing behind him—

slightly unsteady—

holding an almost empty cup—

was Isla.

And she looked very drunk.

Far more drunk than she should have been.

"Oh no."

Daniel's expression changed immediately.

Across from him—

Adrian's jaw tightened.

Because somehow—

he already knew.

This night had just become a problem.