The Things We Never Say

Amara Bennett had been at Westbridge University for exactly seventeen minutes when she decided she hated it. Not the university itself. The campus was beautiful. Almost annoyingly beautiful. The buildings were enormous, their old stone walls covered in ivy. Tall trees lined the walkways, their branches moving gently in the afternoon breeze. Students crossed the courtyard in groups, laughing and talking as though they had known one another forever. Some carried textbooks. Others carried coffee. A few looked like they had already memorized the entire campus. Amara? She was standing in the middle of the courtyard with a suitcase in one hand, a backpack on her shoulder, and absolutely no idea where she was supposed to go. She looked down at the campus map on her phone. Then looked up. Then back at the phone. “This map is useless.” A girl walking past glanced at her. Amara raised an eyebrow. “What?” The girl quickly looked away. “Nothing.” “Exactly.” Amara sighed and continued walking. She had promised herself that Westbridge would be a fresh start. New university. New people. New memories. No looking backward. That was the plan. Unfortunately, plans had a habit of disappointing her. “Excuse me?” Amara turned. The girl she'd just passed was standing behind her. “You're new, right?” “Is it that obvious?” “A little.” Amara looked down at herself. “What gave it away? The suitcase or the expression of complete confusion?” The girl laughed. “Both.” Amara smiled despite herself. “I'm Tessa.” “Amara.” “Nice to meet you.” “You too.” Tessa glanced at the building behind Amara. “Are you looking for the student residence?” “Yes.” “You're going the wrong way.” Amara closed her eyes. “Of course I am.” Tessa laughed. “Come on. I'll show you.” They started walking. “So,” Tessa said, “what are you studying?” “Psychology.” “Oh, nice.” “What about you?” “Business.” “Interesting.” “You?” “Still trying to figure out where I'm sleeping tonight.” Tessa laughed again. Amara smiled. Maybe university wouldn't be so bad after all. Then they entered the main courtyard. And the atmosphere changed. Students suddenly began looking toward the entrance. Whispers spread through the crowd. “That's him.” “Isn't he supposed to be back next week?” “He came early.” “Adrian Cole.” Amara slowed down. “Who's Adrian Cole?” Tessa stopped walking. “You don't know?” Amara looked at her. “Should I?” Tessa stared at her for a moment before shaking her head. “You really are new.” A black car had stopped near the main entrance. A young man stepped out. He wore a dark jacket over a plain shirt, his expression calm as he looked across the courtyard. He wasn't doing anything particularly impressive. He wasn't waving. He wasn't trying to get anyone's attention. Yet people were watching him anyway. “That's Adrian,” Tessa whispered. “Okay.” “Okay?” “Yes.” “He's basically the most popular guy here.” “Good for him.” Tessa gave her an incredulous look. “That's it?” “What else am I supposed to say?” “You haven't even heard the interesting part.” Amara sighed. “Fine. Enlighten me.” Tessa leaned closer. “His family is extremely wealthy. He's one of the smartest students here. He's on the university's academic board, apparently.” “Sounds exhausting.” “And he's ridiculously charming.” Amara glanced toward Adrian. He was speaking to another student now. “Doesn't look that charming.” Tessa's mouth dropped open. “You didn't even look properly.” “I saw enough.” “You're impossible.” “Thank you.” Tessa laughed. Across the courtyard, Adrian's attention shifted. His eyes landed on Amara. He watched her for a moment. Not because she was staring at him. She wasn't. In fact, she seemed completely uninterested. That was unusual. Adrian's gaze remained on her until one of his friends spoke. “You listening?” Adrian looked away. “Yeah.” “You weren't.” “I was.” His friend followed his gaze. “Who's the new girl?” Adrian looked back at him. “I don't know.” But something about her felt familiar. He couldn't explain why. --- By four in the afternoon, Amara had managed to get lost three more times. She had found her residence. Lost the residence. Found it again. Then gotten lost trying to find the library. Now she was standing in front of a large campus map, staring at it like she was considering filing a formal complaint. “That's the wrong building.” Amara froze. She didn't turn around. “Excuse me?” “The library.” She turned. Adrian Cole stood a few feet away. Up close, he looked even more composed than he had from across the courtyard. Amara folded her arms. “And you know where it is?” “Yes.” “Congratulations.” He smiled slightly. “You're welcome.” “I didn't say thank you.” “I know.” She stared at him. He stared back. For a moment, neither said anything. Then Amara pointed at the map. “What's wrong with it?” “Nothing.” “Then why can't I find the library?” “Because you're looking at the map upside down.” Amara looked down. Silence. She slowly turned the phone around. Adrian's smile grew. “Don't.” “I didn't say anything.” “You were about to.” “I was.” She shook her head. “You're annoying.” “I've heard that before.” “Frequently?” “Very.” Amara tried not to smile. She failed. Adrian noticed. “You're new.” “Very observant.” “Amara Bennett.” Her expression changed. “How do you know my name?” He pointed at the folder tucked under her arm. Her name was printed across it. “Oh.” He laughed. “You thought I was stalking you?” “I didn't say that.” “You were thinking it.” “I was considering the possibility.” “Fair.” He stepped toward the map. “The library is behind the administration building.” “Which one?” He pointed. “The large one.” Amara looked at the enormous building. “They're all large.” “Fair point.” She sighed. “Can you just show me?” Adrian raised an eyebrow. “I thought you didn't need help.” “I've reconsidered.” He smiled. “Smart decision.” They started walking. “So,” Adrian said, “what brings you to Westbridge?” “Education.” He glanced at her. “Obviously.” “Then why ask?” “I wanted to hear your answer.” “I'm beginning to think you enjoy irritating people.” “Only certain people.” She looked at him. “Why me?” His smile faded into something quieter. “I haven't decided yet.” Before Amara could respond, a group of students approached. “Adrian!” He turned. One of the boys slapped his shoulder. “Where have you been?” “Busy.” “Busy doing what?” Adrian glanced briefly at Amara. “Showing someone around.” The boy looked at her. “Oh.” His expression immediately changed. Amara noticed. Interesting. Adrian seemed to notice too. “Amara, this is Noah.” Noah nodded. “Nice to meet you.” “You too.” Noah looked at Adrian. “You're giving tours now?” Adrian's expression hardened slightly. “Apparently.” Amara looked between them. “I'm standing right here.” Noah laughed. “Sorry.” “It's fine.” Adrian looked at his friend. “We'll catch up later.” Noah nodded. As they walked away, Amara glanced at Adrian. “You have an interesting reputation.” “You've heard things?” “Mostly that you're arrogant.” He looked amused. “Only mostly?” “And popular.” “Unfortunately.” She laughed. “You don't seem very bothered.” “I'm not.” They reached the library. Amara stopped. “Finally.” Adrian smiled. “You made it.” “Thanks.” “You're welcome.” She turned toward the entrance. “See you around, Adrian.” “I'm sure you will.” She looked over her shoulder. “That's either confident or creepy.” “Maybe both.” She shook her head and walked inside. Adrian watched her disappear. Then his smile vanished. His phone vibrated. He looked at the screen. UNKNOWN NUMBER A message appeared. She's here. Adrian's expression changed. Another message arrived. You need to stay away from her. He stared at the screen. Then typed: Who is this? Three dots appeared. Disappeared. Appeared again. Then the reply came. You already know. Adrian's jaw tightened. He deleted the messages. But he didn't notice someone watching him from the other side of the courtyard. --- That evening, Amara sat on the edge of her new bed, unpacking the last of her clothes. Her room was small but comfortable. A desk stood beneath the window. A wardrobe occupied one wall. Outside, the campus lights illuminated the pathways. She looked around. For the first time since arriving, she felt calm. Maybe this really could be a fresh start. Her phone buzzed. She picked it up. Unknown number. Amara frowned. She opened the message. There was no greeting. No explanation. Just four words. You shouldn't have come. Her smile disappeared. She stared at the screen. Another message arrived. Leave Westbridge before it's too late. Amara's heart began beating faster. She typed: Who is this? No response. She tried again. How did you get my number? Nothing. Then— Buzz. A final message. Ask Adrian . Amara went completely still. She stared at the name. Adrian. The arrogant, charming stranger she'd met only hours ago. The boy who seemed to know everyone. The boy who had somehow appeared exactly when she needed directions. She told herself it was probably a coincidence. It had to be. She placed the phone on the bed. Then picked it up again. She opened her contacts. There was no Adrian. Of course there wasn't. She barely knew him. Amara looked toward the window. Across the courtyard, a figure stood beneath one of the campus lights. A tall silhouette. Watching her building. Watching her window. Her stomach dropped. She moved closer to the glass. The figure didn't move. Then her phone buzzed again. One final message appeared. Don't trust the boy who finds you first. Amara looked across the courtyard. The figure was gone. And for the first time since arriving at Westbridge University, she wondered if coming here had been the biggest mistake of her life.