Red light

CHAPTER 6

A young woman with long crimson hair casually stood at the stove, humming to herself while turning slices of pork in a frying pan as if she owned the place.

He slowly lowered his weapon.

"...What are you doing in my house?"

The woman smiled without looking at him.

"Is that really how you greet an old friend?"

She turned around.

.......

"Lyra..." Zay said quietly. "Didn't I tell you guys that none of you should come here?"

She looked at him and smiled.

"Oh, please. I only came to help. I can't just leave you here to handle everything alone."

"I don't need help, Lyra. I have everything under control."

She let out a sarcastic laugh.

"Under control? Right..."

Zay narrowed his eyes.

"And what's that supposed to mean?"

"You know exactly what I mean."

Silence settled between them.

Finally, Lyra sighed.

"The others might listen to you and stay away... but I'm not them."

She stepped closer.

"I'll help you, even if you keep pushing me away."

"This isn't my first time, Lyra," Zay replied calmly.

"But it could be your last."

For a brief moment, neither of them spoke.

The room fell silent until-

Ding Dong.

"Delivery!"

A young man's cheerful voice echoed from outside.

Zay frowned.

"Delivery?"

Lyra's eyes lit up.

"Oh! That's my pizza."

"You ordered pizza?"

"Yep."

"How many?"

She smiled proudly.

"Twenty boxes."

Zay stared at her.

"...Twenty?"

"Can you blame me? It's really good."

"With whose money?"

Lyra suddenly found the floor very interesting.

"...That's not important."

"Lyra."

"I'll go get the pizza!"

She hurried toward the front door.

Zay followed after her.

"Lyra! Answer the question!"

THE FOLLOWING DAY

AT THE UNIVERSITY

NIA'S POV

After our first lectures, Anna and I headed to the cafeteria.

We were both hungry.

As usual, Anna ordered a green salad with a mango smoothie.

I ordered a cheeseburger and a soda.

When the waiter brought our food, I noticed the brief glance he gave us.

Then it came again.

That familiar feeling.

Comparison.

Anna was effortlessly beautiful.

She had smooth caramel skin, long eyelashes, soft brown eyes that shimmered like honey beneath the sunlight, and a figure that looked like it belonged on the cover of a fashion magazine.

People couldn't help but stare.

I didn't blame them.

Then there was me.

I wasn't ugly...

At least, that's what I kept telling myself.

But growing up hearing comments about my appearance made it difficult to believe.

Those words had stayed with me far longer than they should have.

Whenever I stood beside Anna, I felt invisible.

Not because she made me feel that way-

She never had.

It was my own mind that kept whispering I wasn't enough.

Anna was the kind of person who could brighten an entire room just by smiling.

I admired her.

I never hated her for it.

She was my best friend.

If anything, I was grateful to have someone like her in my life.

Still...

Some days it was hard not to wonder what it would feel like to be noticed the way she was.

Lost in my thoughts, I didn't realize tears had begun rolling down my cheeks.

"Nia?"

Anna's voice snapped me back to reality.

Her eyes widened with concern.

"What's wrong?"

I quickly wiped my face and forced a laugh.

"What? Nothing."

I picked up my burger.

"It's just... this burger is so good it's making me emotional."

Anna stared at me.

"...Seriously?"

I nodded dramatically.

"Best burger ever."

"You've eaten it dozens of times."

"I know.But today's tastes different."

She smiled, though she still looked unconvinced.

"You want to try it?"

She shook her head.

"No thanks."

"I'm still on my diet."

Another diet.

No wonder every guy seemed to fall for her.

She'd already dated three people this year.

Meanwhile...

I had never even been in a relationship.

Maybe love simply wasn't meant for someone like me.

Without warning, another thought crossed my mind.

Maybe Zay had acted distant yesterday because he'd finally gotten a proper look at me.

The thought stung more than I wanted to admit.

I immediately shook my head.

Stop it, Nia.

Anna has never made you feel less than anyone.

Don't compare yourself to her.

"Earth to Nia."

Anna waved a hand in front of my face.

"Huh?"

"I said we'd better hurry."

"Oh..."

"I heard we're getting a new lecturer."

I blinked.

"A new lecturer? What happened to Professor Sam?"

Anna's expression fell.

"He was in a serious accident."

My heart sank.

"He won't be teaching for a long time."

"What?"

I could hardly believe it.

Professor Sam had always been my favorite lecturer.

He made even the hardest lessons enjoyable.

"We should visit him," I said quietly.

"We will."

Anna stood up and picked up her bag.

"But first, we need to get to class."

"I don't know what this new lecturer is like, and I'd rather not make a bad first impression."

I nodded.

"You're right."

She glanced at my untouched burger.

"I thought it was the best burger you've ever had."

A Sighed.

"I suddenly lost my appetite."

Together, we left the cafeteria.

As Anna and I stepped into the classroom, I noticed someone standing at the front.

He was already writing on the whiteboard.

I checked the clock.

Two minutes before class.

He was early.

Anna quietly motioned for us to take our seats.

We had barely taken a step when a deep, commanding voice stopped us.

"Wait."

The man slowly turned around.

My breath caught in my throat.

"...Zay?"