5
1000 Words
~MYRA
Curled up beneath my blanket, I lay on my bed watching Netflix.
After being insulted by Rhys earlier, I had decided that the best way to make myself feel better was to stay in bed, eat junk food, and forget the world existed for a while.
The doorbell suddenly rang.
My pizza.
I immediately got up and headed for the door. After paying the delivery guy and thanking him, I carried the box back inside and settled onto my bed.
I had barely taken a bite when my phone started ringing.
Ethan.
I grabbed my phone and answered.
"Please tell me you're free," he said dramatically.
"That depends."
"I have a date in an hour, and I have no idea what to wear."
I laughed.
"Oh, wow. Ethan actually asked someone out?"
"It's not funny, Myra."
"It kind of is."
"Myra."
I groaned.
"Fine. I'll come help."
"You're the best."
"I know."
Then I hung up.
Helping Ethan turned out to be much less exciting than I expected.
I was sitting on his bed scrolling through i********: while he tried on what felt like his fiftieth outfit.
"Remind me never to ask you for help again," he complained.
I glanced up.
"You look fine."
"Fine isn't good enough."
Rolling my eyes, I stood up and fixed his tie.
"There. You look less ugly now."
He placed a hand over his chest.
"That might be the nicest thing you've ever said to me."
"Don't get used to it."
Ethan laughed.
"Seriously though, thanks."
I checked the time.
"I think you should leave before you're late."
His eyes widened.
"Oh crap."
I laughed as he grabbed his things.
"Should I drop you off first?" he asked.
"Nope. Go impress your date."
"Wish me luck."
"You'll need it."
He pointed at me accusingly before rushing out.
A few moments later, I left as well, making sure to lock his apartment door behind me since he'd forgotten to do it himself.
Later that evening, Riley, Emily, and I sat inside our favorite diner waiting for dinner.
I was scrolling through my phone when Riley elbowed me.
"What?"
"That guy has been staring at you since we got here."
Confused, I looked up.
Ian was behind the counter taking orders.
"Oh. That's Ian."
"The coffee guy?" Emily asked.
I nodded.
"We talked the other day."
Emily exchanged a look with Riley.
The kind of look that immediately made me suspicious.
"What?"
"If he wasn't your friend," Emily said, "I'd think he had a crush on you."
I nearly choked.
"What? No."
Riley laughed.
"Have you seen the way he looks at you?"
"You're imagining things."
"She's completely oblivious," Emily muttered.
Ian approached our table before I could defend myself.
"Hey, Myra."
"Hey."
After introducing him to Emily and Riley, he took our orders and headed back toward the counter.
The second he left, both girls turned to stare at me.
"What?"
"Our oblivious queen strikes again," Riley said.
Emily nodded.
"Honestly, it's impressive."
I sighed dramatically.
They were impossible.
The next day...
Walking through the hallway with Ethan was surprisingly exhausting.
Not because of the walking.
Because he wouldn't stop talking about his date.
Every detail.
Every conversation.
Every smile.
Every single thing.
By the time we entered class, I was ready to tape his mouth shut.
The professor arrived shortly after.
A few minutes later, Rhys walked into class.
Of course, nobody said anything.
He was practically treated like royalty around here.
Him and Damien.
As if sensing my stare, Rhys glanced in my direction.
Our eyes met.
His expression immediately hardened.
I looked away.
The lecture continued.
And unfortunately...
I started falling asleep.
Again.
The next thing I knew, someone was standing in front of me.
I blinked.
The professor.
Oh no.
"You seem to be enjoying class so much that you've decided to take a nap."
A few students laughed.
I offered him an apologetic smile.
"I just finished assigning partners for the project," he continued.
Everyone already had someone.
Everyone except me.
"I can work alone," I suggested quickly.
"No."
That was immediate.
Then he smiled.
A dangerous smile.
"I have a better idea."
Uh-oh.
"You'll be working with Rhys."
The classroom instantly went silent.
My head snapped toward Rhys.
His eyes narrowed.
"This is what you wanted, right?" he said coldly. "An excuse to stay close to me."
Heat rushed to my face as every single student stared at me.
"I—"
"The class is dismissed," the professor interrupted.
Perfect timing.
"Mr. Black. Miss Addams. I expect the project completed before next week."
The students quickly filed out of the room.
Within minutes, only Rhys and I remained.
The silence felt suffocating.
I swallowed nervously.
Rhys continued staring at me.
"I..." I started.
The words died in my throat when he stepped closer.
Far too close.
My heartbeat instantly sped up.
"I didn't know he was going to pair us together," I said quietly.
His gaze never left mine.
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
The classroom suddenly felt much smaller than before.
Finally, he scoffed.
"Whatever."
He grabbed his bag and turned away.
"We'll meet tomorrow and get the project done."
That was it.
No argument.
No insult.
Just a cold response.
I stood there, completely stunned, watching him leave.
The moment the classroom door closed behind him, I released a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding.
This project was either going to be the best thing that ever happened to me...
Or an absolute disaster.
✔️ "This is what you wanted, right?" — RHYS
✔️ Our girl got paired with her crush.
✔️ Project partners? 👀
✔️ Ethan finally went on his date.
✔️ Ian keeps looking at Myra.
✔️ Trouble is definitely coming.
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Thank you for reading ❤️
This version keeps the romantic tension and anticipation while making the chapter flow more naturally and ending on a strong cliffhanger.
- Writer
