CAMPUS HEARTS

CHAPTER 9

CHAPTER 9

"You never replied to my message, girlfriend?"

I froze. Beside me, Rebecca froze too.

Slowly, we turned around. Charles Martinez stood a few feet away, looking far too pleased with himself.

He wore a sleeveless black shirt that showed off his athletic build and a pair of black sweatpants. Judging by the slight sheen of sweat on his forehead, he had probably just finished a run.

After all, it was Saturday. Evening or not.

His gaze briefly landed on Rebecca, who was staring at him with wide eyes, before returning to me. "Why do you look so panicked?" he asked. "Aren't I your boyfriend?"

I rolled my eyes. "Shut up. What do you want, Martinez?"

His grin only widened. "Why are you acting like this, babe?" he asked dramatically. "Or are you not attracted to me anymore?"

He even managed to look heartbroken. It was a terrible performance. And somehow, it almost worked.

"What do you want?" I repeated. "Because if you don't tell me right now, I'm leaving."

Charles chuckled. "I feel like you're only acting this way because your friend is here." I immediately knew where this was going. Unfortunately, he continued anyway. "I mean, when we were alone, you practically jumped on me and forcefully kissed me."

My jaw dropped. Beside me, Rebecca gasped loudly. Charles smirked at my reaction. "I did not jump on you," I snapped. His grin widened, "And you kissed me back."

"I was simply going with the flow, darling."

I wanted to throw something at him. Preferably something heavy. Rebecca looked like she was trying not to explode from excitement.

"Why are you here?" I asked. I desperately needed this conversation to end.

The kiss had been a mistake. A very embarrassing mistake. One that I had absolutely no intention of repeating.

Charles finally stopped teasing me. His expression became more serious. "I came to invite you to a hangout with some friends."

I blinked. "Why?"

"You're my girlfriend," he reminded me.

"Fake girlfriend."

"Still counts."

I smiled sweetly. "I'm so sorry, baby, but I already have plans." I decided to taunt him. Rebecca immediately covered her mouth to stop herself from laughing. "I promise I'll make it up to you."

Charles folded his arms. "With another kiss?"

"Goodbye, Charles." I turned around.

His laughter followed me. "Fine," he called after me. "But don't forget dinner tomorrow night."

Then he jogged away.

The second he disappeared around the corner, Rebecca grabbed my arm. "Oh my gosh!"

I winced. "Rebecca—"

"No." She shook her head violently. "I just witnessed Charles Martinez flirting."

I stared at her. "So?"

"So?" She looked personally offended. "Do you know how many girls on this campus would give up their favorite kidney for that experience?"

I laughed. "You're ridiculous."

"I know." She sighed dreamily. "It wasn't directed at me, but I still feel honored."

I rolled my eyes again. Seriously. I had been doing that a lot lately. "Can we please stop talking about Charles?"

"No."

"Rebecca."

"No."

I pointed at her. "Fine. Let's talk about Maxwell."

Her expression immediately darkened. "Wow."

"What?"

"Way to ruin the mood."

I burst out laughing.

---

A little while later, we reached our dorm building. I headed into my apartment first. I needed to find something to wear.

After changing into a simple singlet, jeans, and boots, I added my designer belt and curled the ends of my hair.

Good enough. I grabbed my purse and headed toward the living room. Only then did I notice Molly standing in the kitchen.

The moment she saw me, she walked over. "Okay," she said. "I'm spending the week with my parents."

"Oh." I blinked. "Okay."

Molly nodded. "I cooked enough food to last you the entire week. Just microwave it." I opened my mouth. She wasn't finished. "I did your laundry." Another blink. "And I took out the trash."

"Molly—"

"And you probably won't need to do it again until I get back." I stared at her. "I know how you tend to forget to take out the trash."

Part of me felt guilty. Had we really been arguing? Because this didn't feel like an argument. It felt like she was taking care of me. Again. "You wouldn't even notice I'm gone," she joked.

I smiled. Then she looked me up and down. "Why are you dressed like that?"

"I'm going clubbing with Rebecca."

"Oh." Something flashed across her face. "I was actually hoping we could have a movie night before I left."

My guilt doubled. "You could invite Ruby."

Molly brightened. "Actually, that's a good idea."

I nodded. "She and Rebecca are fighting again."

Molly laughed. "Perfect."

She reached for her phone. "You should go before Rebecca comes looking for you."

I smiled. "Have fun with your parents."

"You too."

---

Rebecca's apartment door was already open when I arrived.

The moment I stepped inside, chaos greeted me.

"You menace!" Rebecca yelled. "Where's my curler?"

Ruby barely looked up. "Keep talking. Maybe you'll eventually say something intelligent." She then noticed me and gave me a warm smile. "Oh, hi, Kathy."

I waved at her and headed inside Rebecca's room. Rebecca turned around and immediately looked me over as I stepped inside the room. Then she frowned.

"Don't tell me you are wearing that?"

I looked down. "What's wrong with it?"

Before Rebecca could answer, Ruby poked her head into the room. "She looks great. And besides, she shouldn't take fashion advice from you, you are a fashion disaster."

Rebecca grabbed a pillow and threw it at her. Ruby dodged it easily.

I looked between them, before returning my gaze back to Rebecca. "Why can't I wear this?"

Rebecca looked horrified. "Because we're going for stunning."

"I thought this was stunning."

"No." She immediately began searching through her closet. Moments later, she triumphantly pulled out a red dress. "Here."

I stared at it. Rebecca shoved it into my arms. "Try it on."

A few minutes later, I emerged from the bathroom. Rebecca gasped dramatically. "There she is."

I laughed. The dress fit surprisingly well. Maybe a little too well. It showed all my curves and it even gave my ass a lift. "I like it." I was most definitely not returning this dress back.

Rebecca looked victorious. "I know." She handed me a pair of boots. "Now we're done."

After finishing my makeup, we were finally ready.

---

Club 50.2 was already packed when we arrived. Music blasted through the building. Lights flashed across the crowded dance floor.

The security guard recognized Rebecca and waved us inside without making us wait in line.

One tequila shot quickly became several. The music was amazing. The atmosphere was even better.

For the first time in days, I wasn't thinking about fashion competitions, fake relationships, or deadlines. I was simply having fun.

"I'm having so much fun!" Rebecca yelled over the music. "Aren't you?"

"I am!" We both started laughing.

A little while later, Rebecca began looking noticeably less steady. "I need another drink."

I guided her toward a booth. "You need water."

"I need fun."

"You need water." She ignored me.

Naturally. A few minutes later, she wandered off toward the bar. I sighed. Then a familiar voice spoke.

"That's some nice ass." I looked up. Henry slid into the seat across from me. Without asking, he grabbed my untouched drink and gulped it all down. "Hi."

I narrowed my eyes at him, "Don't ever say that about my friend again." I ignored his greeting.

"Why ? I was only saying the truth."

Soon Rebecca joined us with her drink in hand. She looked at Henry the gave him a seductive smile. "You look hot in that shirt." She smiled.

Oh God. He smiled too, "are you flirting with me ? Because last I checked you were Maxwell's bitch."

"b***h ? Are you serious dude ?" I asked him. How could he find calling a girl a b***h cool ?

Rebecca didn't look offended though, like I was the one overreacting. "Not his b***h, we aren't exclusive. But... "

"But what ?" He looked interested now.

She leaned closer to him, "we could have some little fun."

His breathing became shallow now, "what kind of fun ?"

"I want you to f**k me Henry." She breathed out.

This was ridiculous, and they were doing it right in front of me. I could have stood up and walked away but I was at the end of the booth, and they were both blocking my way of going out.

"Sure, I could get us a private room... "

" No, I don't want to do it in a club, I'd do it at my place. "

He nodded, " come on, I'd drop you off. " He stood up with her too and they both headed out of the club.

The second they disappeared into the crowd, I finally released a breath. Peace. At last.

I stood up, intending to grab another drink. Then I spotted someone across the room.

Someone I immediately recognized. Someone I had been hoping to meet.

And just like that, every other thought vanished from my mind.