Chapter 6 - Unexpected Rides
755 Words
Rain clouds covered the sky as classes finally ended at Saint Valencia University.
Students rushed through the hallways while thunder echoed faintly outside. Ophelia hugged her books tightly against her chest as she checked the time on her phone.
9:47 PM.
Her stomach dropped.
"The last bus leaves at ten..." she whispered.
After helping Professor Ayla Serrano organize paperwork after class, Ophelia completely lost track of time.
Now heavy rain poured outside the university gates.
Perfect.
"You still here?" Elise Navarro asked while fixing her umbrella.
Ophelia forced a smile. "I'm waiting for the bus."
Mira frowned immediately. "At this hour?"
"I'll be okay."
"You always say that," Elise sighed.
Before Ophelia could answer, a loud motorcycle engine echoed across the parking lot.
Students instantly turned toward the sound.
A black motorcycle rolled through the rain before stopping near the university entrance.
And of course-
Liam Castillo removed his helmet slowly while several girls nearby stared openly.
Mira leaned toward Ophelia dramatically.
"Oh no," she whispered. "Your boyfriend's here."
"He's not my boyfriend."
Elise smirked. "Yet."
Ophelia ignored them quickly.
Unfortunately, Liam noticed her almost immediately.
His eyes flickered toward the empty bus stop behind her.
"You missed it," he said.
Not a question.
Ophelia blinked. "How do you know?"
"I saw the last bus leave."
"That's creepy."
"That's observation."
Mira nearly laughed out loud.
Rain continued pouring harder around them.
Liam glanced toward the dark streets outside campus before speaking again.
"I'll take you home."
Ophelia stared at him. "What?"
"You heard me."
"I can walk."
"In this weather?"
"I'll survive."
Liam stepped closer slightly.
"You're annoying."
"And you're controlling."
For a second, neither of them moved.
Then Theo suddenly appeared from behind Liam holding a helmet.
Theo Ramirez grinned immediately. "Just get on the bike before Romeo here loses patience."
"I'm not Romeo," Liam muttered.
Theo smirked. "Sure."
Ophelia hesitated.
Every logical part of her brain screamed that riding through the city at night with Liam Castillo was a terrible idea.
But another part of her-
The dangerous curious part-
Wanted to say yes.
Thunder cracked loudly overhead.
Liam sighed impatiently before holding out the spare helmet toward her.
"Five seconds before I leave."
Ophelia grabbed the helmet immediately.
Theo burst out laughing. "Knew it."
-
The motorcycle sped through the glowing streets of Valencia City while rain shimmered beneath neon lights.
At first, Ophelia sat stiffly behind Liam, carefully avoiding touching him.
Which became difficult whenever he accelerated.
"You know," Liam's voice carried over the rain, "you can hold on before you fall off."
"I'm fine."
The motorcycle suddenly turned sharply around a corner.
Ophelia yelped softly before instinctively grabbing his waist.
Liam said nothing.
But she noticed his shoulders shake slightly.
He was laughing.
"You did that on purpose!"
"Maybe."
Ophelia glared at the back of his helmet.
The city lights blurred beautifully around them while cold wind brushed against her cheeks.
And strangely...
She felt safe.
For the first time in a long time, Ophelia forgot about school pressure, scholarship expectations, and Sofia's cruel comments.
Right now, it was only the sound of the engine and Liam beside her.
Eventually, Liam slowed near a quiet overlook above the city.
"What happened?" Ophelia asked as he parked the motorcycle.
"Rain's too strong."
The city glowed beneath them beautifully.
Neon signs.
Traffic lights.
Skyscrapers reflecting across wet roads.
Ophelia removed her helmet slowly while catching her breath.
"It's pretty," she whispered.
Liam leaned casually against the motorcycle beside her.
"You've never been here?"
She shook her head.
Silence settled comfortably between them.
Not awkward this time.
Peaceful.
Then suddenly-
Lightning flashed violently across the sky.
Ophelia flinched slightly after the loud thunder.
Her foot slipped against the wet pavement.
"Careful-"
Liam grabbed her arm quickly before she fell.
But the sudden movement pulled both of them forward.
Too close.
Way too close.
Before Ophelia realized what happened-
Their lips brushed accidentally.
Soft.
Brief.
But enough to make both of them freeze instantly.
Rain continued falling around them.
Neither moved.
Neither breathed.
Ophelia's eyes widened in shock.
Liam stared at her silently, his hand still around her wrist.
The world suddenly felt unbearably quiet.
Then a car horn sounded loudly somewhere below the city.
Reality crashed back immediately.
Ophelia pulled away first, face burning red.
"I-"
"It was an accident," Liam said quickly.
But his voice sounded lower than usual.
Ophelia looked away immediately. "Right."
Neither of them spoke after that.
And somehow the silence between them became far more dangerous than before.
- Writer
