Chapter thirteen...
1122 Words
Paloma rushed into the lecture hall, her backpack bouncing as she scanned the room. The moment her eyes landed on Kenya, she darted toward her.
“Kenya!” she called.
“Paloma!” Kenya’s voice cracked with relief as they collided into a tight hug. They held each other, rocking slightly, both giggling and near tears.
“You’re okay,” Kenya whispered. “Thank God.”
Paloma smiled into her friend’s shoulder. “I missed you so much.”
As they pulled apart, Kenya’s expression shifted. Her brows furrowed and her eyes narrowed with suspicion.
“Now spill,” she said, folding her arms. “Everything.”
Paloma gulped. “Okay… okay.” She took a breath. “Seojin is… more than just my family’s doctor. He’s like family to me. He saw me the day I was born—literally, except for my mom, he was the first person to hold me.”
Kenya’s eyes widened, but she said nothing.
Paloma continued. “I’ve been living with him since I joined the university. It’s been a month now. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. I just… didn’t know how you’d react.”
Kenya paused, staring at her. Then suddenly, she broke into a grin. “Girl… if I were you, I’d be telling the whole damn world I live with the hottest man that looks like a freaking Greek god!”
Paloma laughed. “That’s exactly why I don’t want to tell people. I want friends who like me for me—not because I live with Professor Sexy.”
Kenya shook her head. “You’re a better woman than me.”
Just then, Jake appeared behind them.
“Hey, babe,” Kenya said, spinning to kiss him on the cheek.
Paloma blinked. “Wait—what?”
Jake grinned and turned to Paloma. “Glad you’re feeling better.”
Paloma was still frozen. “What the heck is going on?!”
Kenya grabbed Jake’s hand. “We’re dating.”
Paloma’s mouth opened, then closed. “Kenya! That’s amazing!” She hugged her. “I’m so happy for you.”
A strange pang tugged at her chest. Jealousy? Maybe. Her best friend was openly dating the guy she liked, while she was quietly falling for someone completely off-limits.
Jake waved goodbye, and Kenya turned back, her eyes glinting with mischief.
“You should go on a date too,” she said.
Paloma scoffed. “No thanks.”
Kenya tilted her head. “You’re in love with him, aren’t you?”
Paloma blushed. “I—what? No! I…”
Kenya smirked knowingly. “Oh please. He stayed home from school because of you.”
That memory hit Paloma like a wave: the warm water, his gentle hands, the way he’d bathed her, touched her—softly, carefully.
Her face flushed deep red.
Kenya’s eyes lit up. “Oh my God—what happened?!”
“I… I don’t want to talk about it—”
Kenya grabbed her shoulders. “Talk.”
Paloma leaned closer and whispered, “He bathed me… and let me sleep in his room again.”
Kenya gasped. “What?!”
Heads turned. Students stared.
“Shhh!” Paloma hissed, hiding her burning face in her palms.
Kenya leaned in, voice lowered now. “And he still didn’t make a move? Girl, what’s his excuse?”
“He thinks it’s not right,” Paloma muttered.
Kenya rolled her eyes. “That’s no excuse. You want him. I know you want him—in more ways than one.”
Paloma bit her lip. “…I do.”
Later at lunch, Kenya left to meet Jake, while Paloma strolled alone through the campus garden, lost in her thoughts.
Then came a voice.
“Paloma—wait!”
Her eyes narrowed at the sound. Cameron.
She turned, clearly unimpressed, and kept walking.
“Please,” he begged, catching up. “Just listen.”
She paused, sighing. “What?”
“I… I want to talk. Can we go to the library?”
Paloma folded her arms. “So you can drop a bookshelf on me again?”
“No—please. Just come.”
Curious, she followed him. When they entered the library, her eyes widened. Balloons were tied to chairs, and one of his friends held up a board that read: I AM VERY SORRY.
Paloma blinked. “What is this…?”
“That’s not all,” Cameron said.
He led her to a study table, where their entire project was laid out—finished. Complete. Done to perfection.
Her eyes widened in disbelief. “Did… did you do this?”
“I did,” Cameron said. “I wanted to fix things. I was a jerk to you. I know you might not forgive me yet, but I’ll prove I’m better.”
Then he pulled out a small bag.
Her party dress—and her underwear. She blushed, grabbing it quickly.
“And…” He brought out a box. “Your favorite chocolate.”
She squinted at it. “How did you—?”
“I asked Kenya.”
Paloma stared at him. “Wow. I… thank you.”
She left the library, chocolate in hand. Opening the box cautiously, she sniffed it. No fart spray. No tricks.
She took a bite. Delicious.
Later, she found Kenya and told her everything. Kenya smirked. “Yeah… I helped.”
Something in Paloma softened. Maybe Cameron did deserve a second chance.
On presentation day, Cameron stood confidently before the class. Together, they presented their project flawlessly. The result?
An A+.
Paloma beamed as they high-fived.
“Great work, Paloma,” he said, using her name.
Not dork. Not loser.
And that made her heart flutter.
Meanwhile…
At home, Seojin sat in the library reading until he heard Paloma’s laughter from the kitchen.
He stepped in to find her licking Nutella off her finger, giggling as she talked on the phone.
He smiled. “Who are you talking to?”
She muted her phone quickly. “Just… a group call. Friends.”
He nodded, until he heard a voice—Cameron’s.
His smile vanished. “Cameron?”
Paloma looked up, a little nervous. “Yeah. He’s changed. He’s actually… nice to me now.”
Seojin crossed his arms, his tone firm. “If he hurts you again, I’ll make sure he never walks near that campus again.”
A shiver ran down her spine at the quiet intensity in his voice.
She returned to her call, heart fluttering. Seojin may not say much, but his protectiveness was louder than any confession.
And deep inside, she knew—he was watching. And he cared.
More than he was willing to admit.
- Writer
