Reflections Of Us

The Night Before - Chapter 12

🎶 - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2Km0sR0HmaOa00flqP261q?si=8eJpAR3-TuqCSpphBVREPw

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Zeva's POV:

The campus was buzzing, but for once, the noise didn't feel heavy. I tucked my hands into my hoodie pockets and let the sunlight wash over my face, trying to shake off the lingering weight of the lockbox.

I rounded the corner near the student center and nearly collided with someone.

"Oh! Sorry—my bad," I said, looking up.

The guy in front of me grinned, tall, broad-shouldered, with a confident tilt to his stance. His dark eyes met mine, and for a moment, I froze—this was the new football captain I'd seen around the lunch area, always surrounded by teammates, always commanding attention.

I blinked, caught off guard. His dark eyes were easy to get lost in, and his smile had that effortless charm that made people think he was used to being noticed.

"Careful," he said with a teasing grin. "Almost took me out there."

"I... yeah, sorry," I stammered, suddenly aware of how close we were.

I rolled my eyes playfully. "Thanks for the tip, Captain. I'll be sure to watch my step."

He tilted his head, amused. "You've got a good sense of humor for someone who almost walked into me."

"I've been known to survive worse," I shot back, smirking.

Miles's smirk widened. "I'll take that as a compliment."

I laughed, feeling my chest lighten. Somehow, this brief encounter—so ordinary, so simple—felt like a little spark in the middle of my heavy day.

"I've gotta get to class," I said finally, glancing at my watch. "Nice meeting you... I guess."

"Same here," he said with a grin, already turning back toward the flow of students moving across campus.

I exhaled, letting a small smile linger. Maybe today wouldn't be all shadows and secrets after all.

I shoved my hands a little deeper into my hoodie pockets and headed toward my next class, the brief encounter with Miles Parker replaying in my mind. That small spark of lightness made me almost forget the weight of the lockbox for a few seconds.

I smiled quietly to myself, trying to let the feeling fade just enough to focus. It wasn't fair— one fleeting conversation, and somehow it had left me lighter, like the campus around me was suddenly less noisy, less heavy. I shook my head slightly, forcing the thought down, but warmth lingered stubbornly.

The hallways were crowded, students rushing to lectures and labs, laughing, texting, and carrying stacks of notebooks. I weaved through them, trying to keep my thoughts from drifting back too far.

As I found my seat in class, I realized I could use a little help keeping up with the lectures. Maybe I could ask Jazmine to study together later. It wasn't that I couldn't handle it on my own, but there was something comforting about having her there—someone to laugh with, someone to share notes with, someone who made even mundane tasks feel lighter.

I pulled my notebook from my bag and flipped it open, pretending to focus, though my mind wandered briefly again to the teasing grin, the confident stance, the effortless charm of Miles Parker. I let myself take a tiny mental breath, then pushed it down, grounding myself.

Maybe... I'd see if Jazmine was free after class. It couldn't hurt to ask.

When class finally let out, I packed my things slowly, waiting for the herd of students to funnel out first. My mind buzzed more with the idea of asking Jazmine to study than anything the professor had just gone over.

I spotted her leaning against the wall outside, scrolling through her phone, looking effortlessly unbothered as always. She glanced up when she saw me, one brow raised like she already knew I had something on my mind.

"Survived another lecture?" she teased, tucking her phone away.

"Barely," I sighed, falling in step beside her as we headed down the hall. "Actually... I was thinking— maybe we could study together later? I could use the help."

Her lips curved into the smallest smile. "You? Needing help? That's new."

I rolled my eyes, bumping her shoulder with mine. "Don't make it a thing. I just thought it'd be easier with someone who actually listens in class."

"Mm-hm," she hummed, clearly enjoying herself. Fine. But only if you don't complain when I make you quiz me, too."

I grinned despite myself, a little lighter than I'd felt in days. Between Jazmines teasing and that lingering buzz from earlier with Miles, it was almost easy to forget the weight pressing in from everywhere else. Almost.

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No One's POV:

The library was quieter than usual that night, tucked away in a corner where only the hum of the AC and the occasional page flip filled the air. Jazmine sprawled across the table, her notes spread like a chaotic map, while Zeva kept her handwriting neat and structured in the margins of her textbook.

"You're actually good at this," Zeva admitted, scribbling down an answer after Jazmine broke it down.

"Told you," Jazmine smirked, twirling her pen. "You just needed the right teacher."

Zeva shook her head, fighting a smile. The normalcy of it—their banter, their focus—was a kind of peace she didn't realize she'd missed.

Halfway through, Jazmine's phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen, and her eyes lit up.

"Oh my god," she muttered, sitting up straighter.

"What?" Zeva asked, leaning over curiously.

"Childhood friend of mine. "He's back in town and wants me to meet him at the club tonight." Her grin widened as she tossed her phone down. "Honestly... I could use some drinks. Maybe a night I won't remember."

Zeva laughed, shaking her head. "Of course you could."

Jazmine leaned closer, her smirk daring. "You're coming with me. No excuses."

Zeva hesitated for half a beat, then burst into a laugh she couldn't hold back. "Fine. But only if you promise not to ditch me for some childhood crush."

"No promises," Jazmine teased, gathering her notes.

And just like that, the books and pens were forgotten, the night already shifting toward something louder, brighter, and dangerously unforgettable.

Moments later, they were gathering their things, the quiet of the library replaced by the buzz of campus night. The walk back to Jazmine's dorm was filled with easy chatter, the air carrying an undercurrent of anticipation neither of them wanted to admit out loud.

Inside, the room came alive with the sound of music spilling from Jazmine's speaker, clothes being tossed onto the bed as they debated outfits. Lip gloss, eyeliner, and laughter mixed with the glow of string lights overhead.

"You know we're going to regret this in the morning," Zeva said, leaning into the mirror as she applied her makeup.

"Exactly," Jazmine replied, shimmying into her dress. "That's the point."

The two of them caught each other's reflection in the mirror and laughed again, the night waiting just beyond the door.