Moonlit Hearts

Impressions

And he whispered —

Nothing.

He just stared.

For 10 seconds that felt like 10 years, Jaden Cole stood over me and said nothing.

I should've been terrified.

I should've made a sarcastic comment. That's what I do.

But instead I noticed things I had no business noticing in the middle of a Calc 11 lecture hall.

How his jaw was perfectly sharp.

How his black hoodie made his shoulders look expensive and dangerous.

How he was perfectly erected. Like he was carved from marble.

And then I noticed the twist.

Cedar and cold coffee. That was his smell.

But underneath it, something else. Something cold. Old.

Like rain on metal at 3am.

An instinct crawled up my spine and whispered:

He isn't human.

My heart started hammering.

I clutched my notebooks and textbooks tighter.

His eyes — dark, tired, sharp — were locked on mine.

Searching. Probing.

Like he was trying to get inside my head.

And failing.

Because he couldn't read me.

I saw it hit him. His brow pulled together. Confusion flickered across his face before he killed it.

Me? I was just as confused.

We stared at each other. 10 seconds.

Silent.

200 people watching.

Finally, the professor cleared his throat.

"Mr. Cole. Sit down."

Jaden didn't blink. Didn't look at the professor.

Then he moved.

He didn't tell me to move.

He didn't say a word.

He just sat down.

On the same seat.

His seat.

Right next to me.

The lecture started.

And he stared.

The entire time.

Intently. Like I was a problem he couldn't solve.

I tried to keep my cool. I really did.

Took notes. Nodded at the professor. Pretended his eyes weren't burning a hole in the side of my face.

But then I shifted.

And my knee hit the table.

Hard.

His most expensive ballpoint pen went flying.

Clattered under the chair.

Loud.

Everyone turned.

Heat rushed to my face.

We both bent down at the same time to grab it.

Our hands met.

Fireworks.

On my skin.

His hands were warm. Soft. Smooth. Slender like a model's.

And I felt it — his heartbeat. Fast. Through just a touch.

He jerked his hand back like he got burned.

Sat up straight instantly.

I did the same. Heart pounding for a different reason now.

"Sorry," I whispered immediately.

Silence.

What felt like minutes passed.

He didn't look at me. Didn't move.

Then he turned. Slow.

And said the first three words to me today.

"Mind your business."

It came out cold. Gentle. Like a whisper he was afraid to say loud.

But I heard it.

Loud and clear.

The lecture ended.

People were talking. Whispering. Confused.

That Jaden the almighty Jaden didn't push me.

Didn't hit me.

He just... stared at me.

Sat next to me.

And told me to mind my business.

And he still couldn't read my mind.

--- LATER, CAFETERIA ---

The cafeteria smelled like burgers, fries, and overpriced California sushi.

"Come on," Karen said. "This is our spot. Far end. Best view, worst drama."

Tyler and Skylar were already grabbing trays.

"We got this," Skylar said. "You sit. In-N-Out burgers, acai bowls, truffle fries. Usual California teen lunch."

I grinned and sat down. "Y'all are real ones."

That was me. Bubbly. Loud. Sarcastic 24/7.

Except today. Today I was trying to play it cool. First day.

They left to get food.

I stayed behind and opened my novel. Scanning the room out of habit.

Then the air changed.

Chairs scraped.

People stood.

Everyone bowed their heads.

I didn't look up.

Click-clack heels stopped at my table.

One in a designer mini skirt and crop top.

One in ripped jeans and a branded hoodie.

One in all black, sunglasses inside.

Silence. Heavy. Phones clicking. Recording.

"Hey b***h. Who are you?"

I turned the page.

"Wow. Did you rehearse that or did it just come to you in the shower?"

Sharp gasp.

"You think you're funny?"

I looked up and smiled sweet. "No. I think you're loud. Big difference."

"She looks like the new scholarship student," a cold voice cut in. "From my information. Came out best. Ugly black bitch."

I closed my book. Slowly.

Leaned back in my chair.

"Congratulations on your information. You should put it on your resume. Under 'Skills: Being Jobless and Nosy.'"

One of them slammed her hands on the table.

"b***h!!!!"

I raised a brow. "Bless you. The dust in here is crazy."

The table went dead silent.

Irritation started bubbling in my chest.

Not fear. Irritation.

Irritation that they thought they could walk up to me and ruin my lunch.

Irritation that they interrupted my book.

Irritation that my first day was already drama and I hadn't even gotten fries yet.

I looked at all three of them at once.

Clenched my fists.

And then —

💥

All three of them hit the floor.

Hard.

Right into the trays Karen and the others were carrying.

Burgers. Fries. Acai. Truffle fries.

Everywhere. A mess of food and screaming.

The entire cafeteria went still.

Mouths open. Phones still recording.

Fear. Confusion. Disgust.

I stood up.

Didn't say another word.

And walked out.

Fast.

Too fast.

I heard Karen yell my name but I was already gone.

Moving with a speed my mom spent 8 years teaching me to control.

I ended up in a part of campus I’d never seen.

Beautiful. Quiet. Stone fountains and big oak trees.

Empty.

It looked like someone’s private space.

I sat on a bench and dropped my head in my hands.

Okay Della. Cool.

Rule number 1 Mom drilled into me since I was 10: Don't use your powers in public.

Rule number 2: Don't draw attention.

And I just broke both. On day 1.

I came here to have fun, not to start a war.

Mom is gonna be so disappointed.

But...

A small part of me felt proud.

Proud that I didn't bow.

Proud that I talked back.

Proud that for once, I didn't shrink myself to make other people comfortable.

8 years of training and I finally used it for me.

I took a deep breath.

Five minutes later, I felt it.

Eyes on me.

I looked up.

And met ice-blue eyes.