Reflections Of Us

First Impressions - Chapter 6

🎶 - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2NpcdjIG4Sr0677vMkqioO?si=kr6vQikPTBixYigFE_sJ5A

━━━━⊱⋆⊰━━━━━━━━⊱⋆⊰━━━━━━━━⊱⋆⊰━━━━

Zeva's POV:

The campus buzzed differently the next morning. Whispers floated through the dining hall, snippets carried between bites of cereal and clinking coffee mugs.

"He's the transfer."

"Football captain—already."

"He's got that cocky look, too. Thinks he owns the place."

Zeva stirred her drink lazily, only half-listening until Jazmine leaned in. "First, Keith and Kiante's drama, now this? Looks like the athletes are stacking up with egos."

"Basketball versus football," Zeva muttered, shaking her head. "Campus is about to be a war zone."

Zeva sipped her coffee, raising an eyebrow at Jazmine's smirk. "Looks like Keith and Kiante aren't the only ones causing drama," Jazmine said, leaning over the table.

Zeva rolled her eyes, annoyance and curiosity tugging at her. She didn't know his name yet, didn't know why everyone was already obsessed. But she felt she was about to discover — and it wouldn't be subtle.

Zeva glanced up from her coffee just as the chatter around her grew louder. Heads turned, and whispers followed someone striding confidently across the quad. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and carried himself like he owned every inch of the campus he stepped on.

An electric guitar case was slung over his back, his varsity jacket was thrown casually over a tee, his sneakers tapping a steady rhythm on the pavement — he radiated effortless confidence. Zeva felt a flicker of something she couldn't quite place, a mix of curiosity and irritation.

Jazmine nudged her. "That's him. Miles Parker. The transfer everyone's talking about."

Zeva's eyes followed him, noticing how people instinctively gave him space and how even the football team waved him over with respect. He smiled briefly once, and it seemed like the entire quad noticed.

Keith, walking past the cafeteria, stopped mid-step and scowled. Zeva caught the tension in his jaw before he muttered something under his breath and kept walking. She guessed already that their paths were destined to clash.

But Miles wasn't looking at Keith, not yet. His eyes scanned the crowd, and for a second, they landed on her. Zeva quickly looked down at her cup, heart beating faster than she wanted to admit.

Zeva tried to concentrate on her coffee, but every time she glanced up, he seemed to be moving closer to the center of the quad, shaking hands, flashing smiles, nodding to groups of students who clearly respected him.

Jazmine leaned back, arms crossed, eyeing him like a hawk. "Ugh, I already don't like him," she muttered, muting her words for Zevas's sake. "He's that guy... You know. All charm, all eyes on him. Too perfect, if you ask me."

Zeva smirked despite herself. "Yeah, too perfect." But her eyes kept drifting back. There was something magnetic about him, something that made people notice — even her.

Whispers continued, a mix of awe and gossip. "He's so cocky." "Did you see the way he just smiled at everyone?" "I heard he's a legend on the football field already."

The more she watched, the more Zeva realized that Miles Parker wasn't just a transfer —he was a force. And somehow, she had a feeling he wouldn't be easy to ignore.

Zeva couldn't help but notice how effortlessly he moved through the crowd, how everyone seemed to bend slightly toward him, offering greetings and small smiles. Even the group of girls she usually ignored seemed glued to his every move, whispering and laughing whenever he glanced their way.

Still eyeing him like a hawk, Jazmine muttered under her breath, "He's the kind of guy who makes you roll your eyes and your stomach twist simultaneously. Ugh."

Zeva chuckled. "You make it sound like he's some villain in a movie," she said, though her curiosity kept tugging her gaze back to him.

She noticed Keith standing nearby, tossing a basketball casually between his hands. His jaw was tight, and Zeva caught the way his eyes kept flicking to Miles, a flicker of annoyance flashing across his face. Kiante, walking with his friends, seemed slightly amused but tried to act indifferent, though Zeva knew better.

Miles ' guitar case caught the sunlight as he swung it lightly over his shoulder, and Zeva imagined him strumming it later, maybe alone somewhere quiet, far from campus buzz. It was strange to picture that side of him, considering how dominant and confident he looked now.

"Look at him," Jazmine whispered, now leaning closer. "He's already changing everything, and just walked onto campus. Imagine what he's going to do to Keith."

Zeva frowned slightly. The thought both intrigued and irritated her. Something about Miles drew attention, and it wasn't just the football captain title. There was confidence, charm... maybe even danger, though she didn't want to admit it.

The quad seemed to shrink around him, as if the world was bending slightly to his presence. And though Zeva tried to focus on her classes, her mind kept wandering back to him — the new transfer, the guitar, the cocky smirk, the way even Keith seemed a little unsettled.

One thing was sure: Miles Parker was going to leave an impact. And Zeva had no idea if she was ready for it.

₊˚ ✧ ‿︵‿୨୧‿︵‿ ✧ ₊˚₊˚ ✧ ‿︵‿୨୧‿︵‿ ✧ ₊˚

Jazmine's POV:

I was walking down the dorm hallway, earbuds in, when I spotted him — Kiante Love — leaning against the wall like he owned the place. I tugged my earbuds out and narrowed my eyes.

"Well, well...if it isn't Mr. Too-Cool-for-School," I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm.

He smirked. "And I thought I enjoyed walking around acting like I own the world."

I crossed my arms. "Maybe I do. But unlike others, I don't lean against the wall and act all mysterious for attention."

Kiante chuckled, stepping closer. "You're fiesty. I like that. But you should know... teasing me only makes you look worse."

"Worse? Please. You've got the smug attitude covered, no help needed," I shot back.

With that, he tossed his backpack over one shoulder and walked away, leaving Jazmine muttering under her breath but secretly grinning.