Rejected by One, Wanted by Another

His Muse

The walk back to the dorms was quiet and long. Lucy kept her head down, her sneakers scuffing against the pavement as she hurried past the campus green. Every time a car slowed down near the walkway, her heart skipped a beat, terrified it was Adrian’s car.

She checked her phone for the tenth time. It was almost six-thirty. She was officially late for the "daily check-in," and Adrian was not someone who liked to wait.

Just as she reached the dorm doors, they swung open. Lucy nearly walked right into Zoe, who was stepping out. Both girls jumped back, looking equally guilty.

"Oh! Lucy!" Zoe gasped, quickly smoothing her hair and adjusting her jacket. "You’re back late. I thought you were just going to the library for an hour?"

Lucy felt a bead of sweat run down her neck. She tried to make her voice sound bored and tired, like she’d been staring at dusty books all afternoon. "I got caught up. I was trying to find a specific chapter for the project and completely lost track of time. My phone was on silent."

Zoe’s eyes narrowed, searching Lucy’s face. For a second, Lucy was sure Zoe would notice the fact that she looked a little too "awake" for someone who had been studying. But Zoe just let out a sharp breath, looking more stressed than suspicious.

"Whatever," Zoe muttered, checking her own reflection in the glass door. "You better get inside. Adrian has been calling the room phone. He sounded… well, he sounded like he was about to explode. I’m going for a walk."

"I'll handle it," Lucy said, slipping past her. "Thanks, Zoe."

Inside the room, Lucy’s phone began to vibrate on her desk before she could even drop her bag. The caller ID showed Adrian’s name, she took a deep breath, cleared her throat, and answered.

"Hi, Adrian. I’m so sorry, I was at the library and…"

"I don't have time for excuses, Lucy," Adrian snapped. His voice wasn't as calm as it used to be. In the background, Lucy could hear people shouting. "I already have enough problems, and I still have to hunt you down."

"Is everything okay?" Lucy asked. "You sound really stressed."

"Everything is fine. It’s just a minor…" He stopped. Lucy heard another phone ringing on his end.

There was a dead silence on the line for a few seconds. Then, Lucy heard Adrian let out a frustrated sigh.

"What do you mean the servers are down?" Adrian hissed, clearly talking to someone else in the room. "That route was locked! If those ships don't move, we lose millions by midnight!"

"Adrian? What’s happening?" Lucy whispered.

"I have to go," he said, his voice dropping. He didn't say goodbye. He just hung up, the line went dead with a sharp click.

Lucy stared at her phone wondering what could have gone wrong. She sat on her bed, her mind spinning. If the business was in trouble, maybe the wedding wasn't the most important thing on Adrian's mind anymore. For the first time, she felt a tiny spark of hope.

That night, Lucy couldn't sleep. The room was quiet, but her brain wouldn't shut off. She kept thinking about Jonathan, the way he always listened to her.

Suddenly, her phone lit up on the nightstand. It was a text from a number she didn't recognize.

Unknown: Hi…

Unknown: I had to do some serious detective work to get this number. You’re harder to find than a quiet spot on campus. I figured since you wouldn't text me, I’d have to take matters into my own hands.

Lucy felt a real smile spread across her face. She saved the contact immediately.

Lucy: Jonathan? How did you even get this?

Jonathan: I have my ways, Muse. Let’s just say I know a guy in the admin office who owes me a favor. You can’t hide from the art department.

Lucy: Muse? Is that my new nickname?

Jonathan: It fits. You don’t even try and somehow you inspire everything. What were you up to?

Lucy laughed softly into her pillow, her heart doing a little flutter.

Lucy: Adrian just called, and I think he’s losing his mind. He sounded totally off, like something is definitely going wrong with the Matthews business. He hung up on me to scream at his team about servers and shipping ports.

There was a pause. The "typing" bubbles appeared and disappeared a few times before a reply finally popped up.

Jonathan: That sounds intense. But hey, if the 'big boss' is busy fighting fires at work, maybe that means you get a break from being perfect for five minutes? You looked pretty stressed at the cafe. I was worried you were going to stay in 'statue mode' all night.

Lucy: I’m trying not to. Today was just a lot.

Jonathan: Then let’s do it again tomorrow? Same time, same place? I promise we won’t talk about stressful stuff. Just more arguing about that ugly painting of the Duke. I think he misses us.

Lucy looked at her expensive engagement ring on her finger.

Lucy: Maybe then.

Jonathan: Good. Sleep well, Muse. Don't let the stress win.

Lucy tucked the phone under her pillow, feeling the vibration of the last message like a secret.