Between The Lines and YOU

Twenty Eight

It was already nine in the morning, yet the clouds were heavy and gray, threatening rain. I settled on wearing a casual peach knee-length dress. Dana had fixed my hair and put light makeup on me. Damn it, I wasn’t even given the chance to choose my own outfit. This was all Freya’s fault.

She could be so insistent, just like my other friends. I didn’t even know when it became a trend for every booth to have a muse. But if I thought about it, it was a clever idea. If your muse was popular across the entire university, you were guaranteed plenty of buyers. Just like the neighboring booth, which had Clade Velasquez. A fourth-year dentistry student, with both parents doctors. It was obvious where he got his looks and brains.

Handsome, intelligent, and wealthy, admired by everyone. He was the pride of the seniors, always the top contender in pageants and competitions. No one disliked him. Not only was he handsome, but he was kind, quiet, and never picked fights. Unlike Gabriela, who always seemed starved for attention and care.

“Are you nervous?” I turned to Dana, realizing she had noticed how long I’d been staring at Clade.

“Who wouldn’t be nervous if Clade Velasquez is the prince of the booth beside us?” I gave him an awkward smile when Clade suddenly glanced our way and waved. I guess they were close. My brows furrowed when Dana laughed and shook her head. I also caught Clade’s soft smile before he looked away.

“When we were in the dressing room earlier, Clade went in and said the same thing. He admitted this is the first time he’s felt nervous because of a junior like you. He said he finds you beautiful.” Unintentionally, my eyes went to Clade again, only to catch him already looking at me. He quickly turned away. Okay, what was that?

“Effective, I actually feel a little better now.” Dana laughed again and draped an arm around my shoulders. Just because she was taller.

“It’s true. I talked to him for two whole minutes, and you were the only topic. Can you imagine that? The famous Clade Velasquez, not only in V.C.U but beyond, is curious about you.”

“Stop flattering me, go away.” I gave her a light shove, not knowing what else to say. Should I feel flattered? No, I guess not. Only one man had the power to truly flatter me. He alone was the definition of beauty in my eyes. Knox.

Speaking of him, my visit and stay at his place had gone well. Except I ended up sleeping in his room instead of the guest room. Nothing happened. We just fell asleep in each other’s arms. I wanted to see him again. I hadn’t caught a glimpse of him since earlier. Was he not even going to check on each booth? Or at least look for me?

“Attention students, please kindly go to the stadium now, for we will have very important guests. I repeat, students kindly go to the stadium now.” Dana immediately came to my side.

“Let’s go, this will be quick.”

“You go ahead, I’ll look for Ivy first.” Even now, I still wasn’t used to being with people who weren’t my friends. It wasn’t that I disliked Dana and her friends. I just wasn’t comfortable yet.

“All right, I’ll see you here later then.” She nodded before leaving with her friends. I turned toward the restroom, but froze just outside the door. Before I could even go in, I realized this was the very place where the incident happened, where I had been beaten up. My grip on my small shoulder bag tightened. My stomach lurched, nausea rising as memories I wanted to forget crashed over me. My breathing grew heavier. I just stood there, staring at the door. Paralyzed, as if hypnotized. The scene replayed in my mind again and again.

If the other door hadn’t suddenly opened and revealed Clade, I might not have snapped out of it. I quickly held my head and shook it, forcing myself back to my senses. I shouldn’t have come here. There was another restroom I could have used. Thankfully, I recovered fast enough that he didn’t notice my momentary daze. I hadn’t planned to acknowledge him, but then he spoke.

“You must be Capriana, right?” I nodded slightly.

“I’m Clade Velasquez.” He extended his hand and smiled sweetly. They were right. He really was kind and humble. He knew he was popular, yet he still introduced himself politely. I accepted his hand respectfully. He was handsome, but I felt uneasy under his steady gaze. I was not used to being stared at. I was the one to let go first, since he didn’t seem like he intended to.

“You’re even prettier up close.”

“What, am I ugly from afar?” He laughed again, the kind of laugh that was measured and refined. A laugh that carried wealth.

“Guess I’ll see you around then? It’s an honor to finally meet you, Capriana.”

“Same here.” I returned his smile, and he excused himself to leave first. I only nodded in response. Just as I returned to the booth, I saw Ivy, Lyra, and Asher waiting for me. They looked absolutely bored.

“Where have you been hiding? You look like a rat, so hard to find.” Ivy crossed her arms.

“Yes, you’re right. I was looking for a dead cat to feed you because I’m so annoyed.”

“Stop it, you two. It’s too early in the morning to be arguing again. We need to head to the stadium.” I ignored the stares cast in our direction as we took our seats. Surely no one would be surprised to see me in a dress.

I pulled out my phone to check for any texts or calls from Knox. Instead, thoughts of my family filled my mind, and a sting of disappointment washed over me. They had not even bothered to check on me. Not a single call. Not even a short message. Beside me sat Ivy, with Asher leaning on her shoulder again. Lyra was on my other side, looking just as bored as the rest of us, waiting for the program to start.

The stadium was too noisy. Music blasted from the speakers, drowning the chatter. I remained absorbed in scrolling through social media, ignoring whoever was speaking on stage. She was reading out names and giving short introductions. I nearly dropped my phone when Ivy nudged me sharply in the side. At the same moment, the entire stadium fell silent. The name called out was the one person capable of commanding such silence.

He stepped out wearing an elegant suit. I was certain everyone was mesmerized by his beauty. There were many handsome people around, but next to Knox Ares Sandoval, they all looked like mere ornaments. The spotlight belonged to him alone. The world seemed to move in slow motion as he ascended the stage. Truthfully, I wouldn’t have noticed Celine had she not stood beside Knox. I had to admit, though, she looked striking in her dress.

“Professor Sandoval is so handsome, isn’t he? He's also so hot.” I heard Lyra whisper. I couldn’t agree more. She was spitting facts. Proven and tasted—tested, I meant.

“Close your mouth, you’re drooling. Ew.” Ivy muttered beside me. I immediately snapped my mouth shut and rolled my eyes at her. She only laughed and turned her attention back to the stage.

My chest tightened again when I saw them sit side by side. Knox, as always, wore his unreadable poker face. He never let his expression betray him. But Celine was another story. She kept smiling and stealing glances at the man beside her, as though Knox was the very air she breathed. The stadium roared back to life as each department was called one by one to cheer. Afterwards, the hosts welcomed the guests.

Yet my eyes remained glued to Knox. I could not bring myself to look elsewhere. It was as if some invisible thread pulled me toward him whenever I tried to turn away. I watched him carefully, secretly smiling when I realized his gaze seemed to be searching. It was not obvious at first. You would only notice it if you stared long enough. I did not want to assume he was looking for me, but my heart whispered that he was. That those beautiful eyes were seeking me out. Of course, he would never find me among the sea of students filling this massive stadium. I only managed to break my gaze when two more guests began to make their way onto the stage.

I was not sure if I should call it luck. The woman who followed the older man onto the stage looked almost exactly like me. She was tanned and taller, but the shape of her face made her seem like my twin. I overheard that she was a model whose hobby was surfing.

“You gotta be kiddin’ me. She looks exactly like you, Pria!” Asher’s loud voice made me want to punch him for drawing attention.

“Shut up, you’re too noisy,” Ivy scolded.

“She’s like your twin,” Lyra murmured. I noticed a few others glancing my way as if they were wondering why the guest looked so much like me. My eyes returned to the woman, who was smiling now while speaking with the other guests.

The nose, the brows, the eyes, the contours of her face. Hell, was this even possible? We weren’t related by blood, nor did we know each other, yet we looked like we had been split from the same mold. I caught Knox staring at her too, as if he was also trying to figure it out.

“Do you think she might be your twin?” Ivy added. Nonsense. I shook my head.

“Impossible. I don’t have a twin. There are people like that, right? Not blood related but still look alike.” Still, something inside me felt strange. I could not explain it. The feeling grew stronger when I looked at the older man who had come with her. They were speaking seriously, as if discussing something important. Maybe I was just sleep-deprived and imagining things.

“Why don’t you approach her later, ask if she’s missing a si—why?” She stopped mid-sentence when the three of us glared at her, brows furrowed. No wonder. She had devoured the entire box of Oreo cupcakes all by herself. Naturally, she ended up getting a smack from each of us.

My gaze shifted back to the stage. Then I remembered what Scarlett had told me—that things weren’t official yet between Celine and her brother. But why had Knox said he was planning to break up with her? What was the truth? Who should I believe? Had he kept his relationship with Celine a secret from Scarlett? And if so, why?

“It’s fine to stare if it’s yours, but it isn’t,” Ivy whispered again when she caught me watching Knox. I shut my eyes tightly, resisting the urge to strangle her until she stopped breathing.

The event continued. I stood calmly at the side of Dana’s booth, offering smiles to buyers who came for just a single item. A fair number lined up with us, but Clade’s booth easily had more customers. I wanted to yank Ivy’s hair for teasing me, since she had lined up over there instead of supporting us here.

“Pria.” Dana called out to me.

“What?”

“Hug request. Trevor Delton, A2, third year Nursing student.” I hesitated before nodding. What was a hug anyway? It still helped bring in more sales.

“Who among you is Trevor D—” I was about to finish my question when someone raised his hand. Right in front of me. He was literally standing face-to-face with me. A soccer player, clearly.

“It’s me.” His smile was wide, clearly trying to impress me, flashing a set of expensive braces. In fairness, he had a dazzling smile. He could easily model for a toothpaste brand. I cleared my throat before finally giving him permission to hug me. It felt like hugging a brother, considering I barely reached his chest.

We talked for ten minutes, and from then on it was one after another. I lost count of how many people had hugged me and chatted with me for a straight hour. All I could do was pray that someone would just buy out the entire lot. One date would have been easier than this endless stream. My jaw ached from smiling. I grew puzzled when the line suddenly parted, just as I let go of a student from the tourism department. A cold wave of nerves rushed through me when I was met with Knox piercing, intimidating gaze. I knew there was anger behind his eyes. He would probably ignore me again later. How did I know? Nothing specific. I just felt it. What was he even doing here?

Students greeted him as he passed, and to my surprise, he actually nodded back, something he had never done before. Dana and the others greeted him too. I was the last, though my chest sank when he walked right past me and went directly to Dana. It didn’t hurt much. It was only like a python’s bite.

“Pria?”

“Weston?” I said in disbelief. I was surprised they still remembered me. Why were they even here?

“It really is you! Aria, remember her? At Wintersea restaurant?” Aria immediately stepped closer, smiling when she recognized me. I returned her smile, but Weston didn’t give me time to prepare before he threw his arms around me.

“What are you two doing here?” I asked once he let go.

“Hmm, just visiting a friend. And since you have an event here, we thought we’d drop by. Sorry, I lost your number. My phone got snatched.”

“It’s fine.”

“You look great.” Aria’s compliment made me flush. She rarely spoke, but when she did, she could leave you speechless. I thanked her and she rewarded me with another sweet smile.

“Can I ask for your number again?” Weston pressed.

“I don’t have it memorized, and I left my phone in my bag.”

“In that case, I’ll just give you mine. Text me, okay?” I nodded and accepted the small calling card he handed me. They didn’t stay long after that. Before leaving, though, they bought four boxes of Oreo cupcakes and purple macaroons. I dropped Weston’s calling card when someone brushed against me on purpose. I was about to bend down and pick it up when a firm hand grabbed my arm first.

“How’s flirting with other men?” The words were whispered so softly only I could hear. I lifted my gaze and immediately looked away. I rolled my eyes discreetly. He was the one flirting earlier. The way he smiled at Celine, you’d think it was the most delightful thing in the world.

The look he gave me made me feel like he could hand me over for execution at any moment. I opened my mouth to defend myself, but he had already turned and walked away without a glance back. I let out a long breath as I watched him leave, the calling card now gone for good. I only realized something was wrong when the line at our booth started to disperse. Snapping back to my senses, I turned to Dana, but my question was answered by the wide grins of our companions.

“Professor Sandoval didn’t say the name,” Dana explained, “he just claimed he knew who your date tomorrow would be. Then he handed over the cash. Everything’s sold out.” Everyone cheered, showering me with thanks. Some even said I was lucky, since someone mysterious wanted to go on a date with me. But while they celebrated, the feeling I carried was the exact opposite. Who on earth did he know that would want to date me?

He agreed to let me date someone else? Unbelievable. Was someone really crazy enough to spend money on me? Who could this mysterious person I was supposed to meet tomorrow be?