When Heart Collide

‎ ‎ ‎The sun blazed overhead as frustrated students lined up outside the admin hall. The air buzzed with chatter, complaints, and the occasional hiss of a printer from inside. ‎ ‎Janessa Estrada, her braids tied up in a bun, wiped sweat off her forehead with the back of her hand. Her white folder was now slightly bent from hours of standing in line. She glanced at her phone she had been here for an hour and seventeen minutes. ‎ ‎"Just three more people," she muttered, exhausted but hopeful. ‎ ‎Out of nowhere, a tall guy with a casual stroll, a smug grin, and no sense of shame slipped past her and took his spot right in front of her like he belonged there. ‎ ‎She blinked. Was he serious? ‎ ‎“Excuse me,” she called out, her voice sharp. “Are you blind or just entitled?” ‎ ‎The guy dark-skinned, lean build, and annoyingly calm turned his head slightly, not enough to face her fully. ‎ ‎“Whoa. Chill. I just need to ask a quick question inside.” ‎ ‎“This isn’t a fast-food line. You don’t ask questions from the front. You wait like the rest of us.” ‎ ‎He shrugged without turning back. “I’ll be out of your way before you even miss me.” ‎ ‎Janessa scoffed. She looked around for support, but everyone seemed too hot or too tired to care. ‎ ‎Ten minutes later, Enzo emerged from the building papers stamped, ID printed, and an annoying grin on his face. ‎ ‎He walked past Janessa slowly, deliberately. ‎ ‎“Told you I’d be done before you,” he said. ‎ ‎Janessa folded her arms, her jaw tight. ‎ ‎“Your sense of arrogance is actually impressive. Is this how they raised you? ‎ ‎He paused, finally facing her properly. ‎“You mean: do they raise us to get things done while others wait around whining? Then yeah, pretty much.” ‎ ‎Janessa’s eyes narrowed. ‎ ‎“Wow. You’re something else.” ‎ ‎He winked. ‎“Thanks. You’ll remember me for it.” ‎ ‎And with that, Enzo Steel walked off leaving behind a fuming Janessa and the first page of what neither of them knew would become a chaotic, complicated, unforgettable love story. ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"That guy really got some nerve," Janessa scoffed, stopping in the middle of the hallway. "I'll definitely get back at him," she thought, making an angry face as she turned to her right. ‎"Jane!" someone called, and she stopped, looking back. "Oh my God! Riley!" Janessa exclaimed, rushing towards a young, chubby lady the same age as her. They hugged as they met in the middle. ‎"I can't believe it's really you," Riley said, breaking the hug. ‎"I can't believe it, too," Janessa cried. ‎"You look so amazing! It's been two years without you, Jane," Riley said, pulling Janessa into another hug. ‎"Are you done with your registration? Let's go and have lunch if you're done," Janessa asked. ‎"Yeah, I'm done with that energy-consuming nonsense," Riley replied, making Janessa laugh. ‎"You haven't changed, lazy being," Janessa said as they made their way to a restaurant. ‎"I know you love me that way. Anyway, I've a lot of gossip for you, but let's eat first," Riley said, dragging Janessa, and they broke into a run towards the restaurant. ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Janessa looked at her childhood best friend Riley, who had just transferred to Westbridge from a university abroad. Their faces lit up with smiles and disbelief as they hugged tightly outside the restaurant. ‎ ‎“Girl, I can’t believe you’re really here!” Riley squealed, looping her arm through Janessa’s as they walked in. ‎“Right? You ghosted me for a whole year though,” Janessa teased, rolling her eyes playfully. ‎“Excuse you! Time zones and depression aren't besties,” Riley said with a smirk. ‎They both laughed and settled into a corner booth by the window. ‎ ‎The place buzzed with soft hip hop songs in the background, clinking cutlery, and the familiar smell of grilled chicken wings. As they waited for their food, they dived into old memories, current gossip, and everything in between. ‎ ‎Riley leaned in. ‎“So... who’s caught your eye on campus?” ‎ ‎Janessa made a face. ‎“Ugh. Don’t remind me. I already had a run-in with the most irritating guy ever during registration.” ‎“Fine boy?” ‎“Arrogant. Rude. Talks like he owns the air.” ‎ ‎Just then, a familiar voice drifted from across the room. ‎ ‎“I swear, the girl practically chewed me out just for trying to get my registration done quickly.” ‎ ‎Janessa froze. ‎Riley raised an eyebrow. ‎“Is that?” ‎ ‎Janessa turned slightly and locked eyes with Enzo, seated at a table not far from theirs, surrounded by two guys and a girl. He hadn’t seen her until now. ‎ ‎Their eyes met. ‎ ‎Enzo blinked, then gave a slight, mocking nod. ‎“Speak of the devil,” Janessa muttered. ‎ ‎To Riley’s horror and silent delight Enzo stood up and sauntered over to their table, drink in hand. ‎ ‎“Didn’t expect to see you here, Queen of Queues.” ‎Janessa’s eyes narrowed. ‎“Didn’t expect to hear your voice again, but here we are both disappointed.” ‎ ‎Riley covered her mouth, pretending to sip water. ‎ ‎Enzo smirked. ‎“You always this dramatic or do I just bring it out of you?” ‎ ‎Janessa leaned back, calm but cutting. ‎“Don’t flatter yourself. You don’t bring anything but noise and ego.” ‎ ‎He laughed, that calm, cocky kind of laugh. ‎“You’ll warm up to me eventually. Most people do.” ‎ ‎“Then I guess I’m not most people.” ‎ ‎He tapped his glass lightly on their table. ‎“Noted. Enjoy your dinner.” ‎ ‎He walked off like nothing happened, leaving Riley wide-eyed. ‎ ‎“Girl. What kind of enemies-to-lovers w*****d mess did I just witness?” ‎ ‎Janessa groaned. ‎“That boy is bad news.” ‎ ‎But for the rest of the night, her frown lingered a little longer than it should have. And her mind wandered, unwillingly, back to Enzo Steel. ‎