CHAPTER FIVE: The Queen of Northcrest
839 Words
The next morning, Northcrest University hummed with its usual energy.
Students streamed across campus with coffee cups in hand, bicycles weaving through the walkways as the crisp autumn breeze carried bursts of laughter from every direction.
Ariana sat alone beneath an old maple tree outside the Journalism Building, her laptop open and headphones resting around her neck.
She was already drafting ideas for the charity project.
If she couldn't control people's opinions of her, she could at least control the quality of her work.
A shadow fell across her table.
"You're working this early?"
She looked up.
Liam stood there, dressed in a black hoodie and dark jeans instead of his hockey jersey. Without all the sports gear, he looked... less intimidating.
Still unfairly handsome.
"I couldn't sleep," Ariana admitted.
"So you decided to work?"
"I think better when I'm busy."
He nodded.
"I get that."
She gestured to the empty chair across from her.
"You can sit."
His eyebrows lifted.
"I thought we agreed to keep things professional."
"We're discussing the project."
"Fair enough."
He pulled out the chair and sat.
For nearly thirty minutes, they talked about sponsorships, ticket prices, and publicity ideas.
To Ariana's surprise, Liam listened.
He didn't interrupt.
He didn't dismiss her suggestions.
Instead, he built on them.
"You've really thought this through," he said, scanning her notes.
"I like planning."
"I can tell."
She smiled faintly.
"Is that a compliment?"
"Don't get used to it."
Before she could reply, the atmosphere around them shifted.
The cheerful chatter across the courtyard suddenly grew quieter.
Heads began turning toward the main walkway.
Ariana frowned.
"What's happening?"
Liam sighed.
"Speak of the devil."
A sleek black sports car rolled to a stop outside the Student Center.
The driver's door opened first.
Then the passenger door.
A tall blonde woman stepped out, her designer heels clicking confidently against the pavement.
She wore a cream-colored trench coat over an elegant dress, oversized sunglasses covering half her face.
Every movement radiated confidence.
Students immediately began whispering.
"Vanessa's back."
"I heard she was studying abroad."
"She looks amazing."
"Do you think she's getting back together with Liam?"
Ariana looked between the students and the woman.
"So... that's Vanessa?"
Liam's jaw tightened.
"Unfortunately."
Vanessa removed her sunglasses, revealing striking emerald-green eyes.
The moment she spotted Liam...
She smiled.
Not a warm smile.
A victorious one.
Without hesitation, she walked straight toward their table.
"Liam."
Her voice was smooth as silk.
"It's been a while."
He stood politely.
"Vanessa."
She leaned forward and kissed his cheek as though it were the most natural thing in the world.
Ariana looked away, suddenly fascinated by the notebook in front of her.
Vanessa finally noticed her.
"And who is this?"
"Ariana," Liam answered simply.
"Our project partner."
Vanessa's gaze swept over Ariana from head to toe.
Oversized hoodie.
Simple jeans.
White sneakers.
No designer labels.
No expensive jewelry.
A slow smile spread across Vanessa's lips.
"How... ordinary."
Ariana met her gaze calmly.
"Nice to meet you too."
Vanessa laughed softly.
"Oh, she has a little attitude."
Liam folded his arms.
"Vanessa."
"What?"
"We're working."
"I can see that."
She rested one hand on Liam's shoulder.
"You've always worked too hard."
Ariana quietly closed her notebook.
"I'll give you two some privacy."
She stood up.
Before she could leave, Liam spoke.
"You don't have to go."
Vanessa's smile faltered for the briefest second.
Ariana hesitated.
"I don't mind."
"I do," Liam replied.
"We still have things to discuss."
Vanessa looked at him in disbelief.
"You're choosing a project meeting over catching up with me?"
"I'm choosing my responsibilities."
The answer was polite.
But firm.
Vanessa slowly removed her hand from his shoulder.
"I see."
She turned toward Ariana.
"Just a little advice."
Ariana waited.
"People here have a habit of getting attached to things they can never keep."
Silence settled over the courtyard.
Ariana understood exactly what Vanessa meant.
Instead of arguing, she smiled politely.
"Thanks."
"I'll keep that in mind."
Vanessa expected anger.
Jealousy.
Embarrassment.
Instead, Ariana's calm response caught her completely off guard.
With one last glance at Liam, Vanessa walked away.
The whispers resumed the moment she disappeared.
Liam exhaled heavily.
"I'm sorry."
Ariana blinked.
"For what?"
"For... that."
She shrugged.
"You don't owe me an apology."
"No."
"But you didn't deserve it."
For a second, neither of them spoke.
Then Noah suddenly appeared behind Liam with two hockey sticks balanced on his shoulder.
"Captain!"
He stopped mid-step.
His eyes darted between Liam and Ariana.
Then toward the direction Vanessa had gone.
A slow grin spread across his face.
"Oh..."
"This semester is about to get interesting."
Liam groaned.
"Noah..."
"I'm just saying."
He looked at Ariana and winked.
"You've got yourself caught in the middle of a war."
Ariana frowned.
"What war?"
Noah laughed.
"You'll find out soon enough."
As he walked away, Liam watched Vanessa disappear into the distance.
He had a feeling Noah was right.
Vanessa Sinclair never walked away from something she wanted.
And now...
She wanted Ariana gone.
- Writer
