EPISODE 2: THE UNEXPECTED PARTNER
1024 Words
Amara tried to forget about Daniel.
She really did.
After the embarrassing incident in the hallway, she had decided that the best thing to do was pretend it never happened.
Unfortunately, the universe seemed determined to make that impossible.
During the afternoon lecture, Amara sat near the front of the classroom, carefully taking notes while the lecturer explained the day's topic.
She was finally beginning to relax when her phone vibrated.
She glanced at it.
Unknown Number: You forgot something.
Amara frowned.
She ignored the message.
A few seconds later, another one arrived.
Unknown Number: Check your notebook.
She slowly opened her notebook.
A small black card slipped out and landed on her desk.
Her eyes widened.
It was Daniel's card.
She looked around the classroom.
How did he even get my number?
Before she could think about it, another message appeared.
Unknown Number: You still owe me a shirt.
Amara immediately knew who it was.
She typed:
Amara: I already apologized.
The reply came almost instantly.
Daniel: I know.
Amara: Then why are you disturbing me?
Daniel: Because I'm bored.
Amara stared at the screen.
She couldn't believe him.
Amara: Find something useful to do.
She put her phone away.
A minute later, it vibrated again.
She refused to check.
The lecturer suddenly stopped talking.
“Everyone, I have an announcement.”
The room became quiet.
“For your first major project, you'll be working in pairs. This project will count toward your final grade, so choose your work carefully.”
Amara immediately became nervous.
She preferred working alone.
The lecturer began reading the names.
“James and Victoria.”
Two students nodded.
“Michael and Sarah.”
Another pair exchanged smiles.
Amara quietly prayed that whoever she got would at least be serious about school.
Then the lecturer looked at his list.
“Daniel Carter…”
Amara's heart skipped.
She looked toward the classroom door.
“…and Amara Williams.”
The room suddenly seemed much quieter.
Amara stared at the lecturer.
“Sir?”
“Yes?”
“Can I choose someone else?”
A few students laughed.
The lecturer shook his head.
“No. The pairs have already been assigned.”
Amara sighed.
“Okay, sir.”
Then she heard laughter from behind her.
She didn't even need to turn around.
Daniel.
She slowly looked over her shoulder.
He was leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, wearing that irritating smile.
When their eyes met, he mouthed:
“Told you we'd meet again.”
Amara rolled her eyes and turned away.
After the lecture ended, students began leaving.
Amara packed her books quickly, hoping to escape before Daniel approached her.
She almost made it to the door.
“Running away?”
She stopped.
Daniel stood beside her.
“I have somewhere to be.”
“So do I.”
“Good.”
He smiled.
“Where?”
“None of your business.”
Daniel laughed.
“You're always this friendly?”
“Only with annoying people.”
He placed a hand over his chest dramatically.
“I'm hurt.”
“You'll survive.”
Daniel pulled out his phone.
“Since we're partners, we should exchange numbers.”
“We already have each other's numbers.”
Amara froze.
“How did you get mine?”
Daniel smiled.
“University group chat.”
She remembered the class group chat.
“Oh.”
“So, tomorrow?”
“Tomorrow what?”
“We need to work on the project.”
Amara sighed.
“Fine. Library. Four o'clock.”
“Four?”
“Yes.”
“Can't we do five?”
“No.”
“Five-thirty?”
“No.”
“Four it is.”
He smiled.
Amara turned to leave.
“Amara?”
She looked back.
“What?”
Daniel's expression suddenly became serious.
“About earlier... I wasn't actually angry about the shirt.”
She blinked.
“You weren't?”
“No.”
“Then why were you acting like that?”
He shrugged.
“I wanted to see how you'd react.”
Amara stared at him.
“You purposely annoyed me?”
“Maybe.”
She shook her head.
“You're unbelievable.”
Daniel smiled.
“And you're interesting.”
Amara walked away before he could say anything else.
But this time, she couldn't stop herself from smiling.
She quickly hid it.
No.
She wasn't going to fall for his charm.
Not now.
Not ever.
The next afternoon, Amara arrived at the library exactly at four.
Daniel was already there.
She was surprised.
“You're early.”
He looked up from his laptop.
“You sound disappointed.”
“I'm surprised.”
“Why?”
“I thought rich boys were always late.”
Daniel laughed.
“Rich boys?”
“You know what I mean.”
“No, actually, I don't.”
Amara sat across from him.
“Let's just finish this project.”
For the next hour, they worked surprisingly well together.
Daniel was smarter than she expected.
He understood the assignment quickly and even helped Amara with a difficult section.
She looked at him differently for the first time.
“You're actually good at this.”
He smiled.
“Was that a compliment?”
“Don't get excited.”
“Too late.”
Amara laughed before she could stop herself.
Daniel noticed.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Something about the atmosphere suddenly felt different.
Then Daniel's phone rang.
He looked at the screen.
His smile disappeared.
“Hello?”
He listened silently.
“Yes, Dad.”
His expression became tense.
“I'll be home tonight.”
He ended the call.
Amara noticed the change.
“Everything okay?”
Daniel stood up.
“Yeah.”
But his voice didn't sound convincing.
He packed his things.
“I have to go.”
“Daniel?”
He paused.
“Thanks for asking.”
Then he walked away.
Amara watched him leave, wondering what had happened.
For the first time, she realized there was more to Daniel Carter than his confident smile.
And she had a feeling she was going to find out exactly what it was.
To be continued…
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