Green Hearts

Chapter 2

“Why are you here?”

I stab a piece of pie with my fork and look up at Jace across the table.

"Huh?"

His pretty face morphs into momentary confusion at my question, but his eyes remain fixated on the dwindling slice of pie we're sharing. It's turned into a silent duel where neither of us wants to admit defeat. I mean, sure, we could have just ordered separate slices, but heaven forbid life ever be that simple.

"Why did you transfer here mid-year, and how? I'd love to meet your parents just so I can learn their magic," I quip, stuffing my mouth with another creamy bite, silently wishing I knew how to recreate the recipe.

"You're weird," he comments with a raised eyebrow.

"Why, thank you," I say, placing a hand over my heart before rolling my eyes at him.

"It wasn't a compliment," he clarifies, a smirk playing on his lips that practically screams 'I think you're dumb.'

"But I'll take it as one," I retort, trying to stare him down, which predictably ends in a tie.

"Alright, alright. No fighting today," he concedes, setting down his fork and leaning back in his chair.

That's pretty much been our routine all week—bickering over nothings. I've even made a conscious effort to avoid him, but somehow, we keep crossing paths.

“So?” I prompt.

He stares off for a second before speaking.

"I decided to travel for a bit, take a break from the familiar and see the world. Let it be my classroom, and the people I meet be my classmates, or my teachers."

There’s a seriousness in his tone, even more than when he is blatantly flirting or whatever is that thing he does with that piercing look of his. There’s more behind his tone. Even though wistfully spoken, his words are vague. I decide to break into his reverie.

"Very poetic, man. Very poetic," I jest, pointing my fork at him.

He rolls his eyes and scans the cafe around us. The small, cozy space is filled with the hum of quiet conversations, the clinking of cutlery, and the comforting aroma of freshly brewed coffee. A group of students in the corner is animatedly discussing their latest project, while an elderly couple by the window shares a peaceful silence over their tea.

"Can you even tell when I'm being serious?" he asks, breaking my focus on the surroundings.

"Nope. Because I'm not a witch." I pat his cheek, which earns me a brief glare before his face lights up with a brilliant smile.

Yes, I'm shamelessly admiring him. Anyone who doesn't appreciate the view is probably blind. Seriously. It's hard not to acknowledge sometimes that some people are just works of art—Renaissance and Modern—and belong in museums.

Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating a bit, but the boy is a sight to behold with his flawless skin. Does he use a bronzer?

I remember then that I was supposed to pick up a face mask for Muna. It’s safe to assume she will probably have me for dinner.

I don’t realize I am staring till he speaks. "What are you thinking about?"

"Um... dinner," I stumble over my words, trying to hot-wire my brain from thinking about him, "No, Muna... yes! Muna's dinner!" I perk up, a blatant lie plastered on my face.

He narrows his eyes skeptically, clearly not buying it, but deciding to let it slide. In my confusion, he seizes the last piece of pie and pops it into his mouth, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

I sulk and deflate into my chair, "I hate you."

"Sure.” He gets out of his seat and pulls me out of mine. “Let me walk you back to your dorm."

Muna crosses my mind. I will be showing up late, without her mask and with an unknown person. The scene doesn’t play as easy as sneaking into bed to avoid her dramatics.

"I'm not sure it's such a good idea for you to come to my room," I rub the back of my neck awkwardly, eyeing the storefronts as we walk side by side.

"I didn't say anything about your room,” he teases. “But now I won’t be turning down the invite," the smirk evident in his voice.

Cue mental face palm.

I quicken my pace in a blush of embarrassment. His laughter rings in my ears, a delightful sound echoing down the streets.

The campus is alive with the evening buzz. Students mill around, some heading to the library, others to their dorms, while a few groups sit on the grassy knolls, chatting and laughing. The streetlights cast a warm glow, and the air is filled with the faint scent of blossoms from the nearby gardens.

We are near the dorm now and he isn’t slowing down in matching my footsteps. I wonder if he will be able to charm Muna into forgetting about me.

He continues with a shrug as he pushes open the dorm doors, "Besides, it’s not even that far of a walk, and I have to meet this Muna you're so infatuated with."

I have never heard that sort of description of our friendship. I scrunch my brows, "Infatuated? Why would you think that?"

"I think it's wonderful how you always pick only one of my statements to respond to," he rolls his eyes and gestures for me to lead the way.

I raise a brow at him in mock challenge, "Just like you're doing now?"

"Nope, I'm strategically ignoring you. There's a difference," he quips as I push open the door to my room.

Her voice comes out of the darkness of the room, "Where have you been, young lady?" Her table lamp comes on, casting a dim yellow on her seated posture at the table.

I sigh deeply. Some days it’s just a full-on movie scene with her.

My mind is spinning with excuses when I feel Jace moving away ever so slowly. I grasp his arm. He was my last good plan, but he looks like everyone who meets Muna in her full-on predatory mood.

"Don't leave me here in the dark by myself."

He is already shrugging me off. "Goodbye. I’ll call you.”

He's already halfway down the hall before he adds, "If you are still alive." He disappears around the corner. He doesn’t even have my number.

Cheers to friendship.

"Come in," Muna says from inside, and I sigh again.

The room is a stark contrast to the lively campus outside. It’s quiet, save for the gentle hum of the air conditioner. Muna comes of her dramatic pedestal pretty quickly and stand from her desk, attempting to grab me from the doorway.

"Who was that guy?" she inquires, curiosity piqued.

"Just a friend," I reply, not wanting to delve into the complicated mess that is my relationship with Jace.

Muna raises an eyebrow with a mischievous grin on her face. Just a friend hey?”

“Yes.”

“Spill.”

“No.” I try to squirm out of her hold but she pulls me along as she flops to her bed, holding me caged in her embrace. She begins tickling the breath out of it.

“I’ll get it out of you.” We are loud and laughing a lot by the end of it.