Chapter 2
1083 Words
KENDRA
By the time lunch rolls around, my stomach is a mess of nerves. I keep checking the folded note in my pocket like it might disappear if I don’t hold onto it tightly enough.
Vera and Ophelia flank me as we walk toward the cafeteria, both wearing identical expressions of doom.
“You don’t have to go,” Ophelia says gently.
“She shouldn’t go,” Vera corrects. “This is Flint Storm. He doesn’t do random acts of kindness.”
I swallow. “It’s just lunch.”
Vera snorts. “And I’m the Moon Goddess Queen.”
But they let me go.
I step into the cafeteria alone, scanning the room. Silvercrest University’s dining hall is loud, crowded, and buzzing with scents — pine, citrus, musk, smoke. Wolves everywhere.
And then Flint walks in.
He’s impossible to miss. Tall, golden, confident. His friends trail behind him like satellites orbiting a sun. Nyra’s group isn’t far behind, whispering and giggling.
But Flint’s eyes land on me.
And he smiles.
My heart stumbles.
He walks straight to my table and sits across from me, leaning forward like he’s genuinely happy to see me.
“Kendra,” he says, voice warm. “Thanks for coming.”
I try not to melt. “You invited me.”
“Yeah,” he says with a small laugh. “I did.”
His friends settle at a nearby table, close enough to watch but far enough to pretend they’re not. Nyra’s group sits even closer, all of them staring like they’re waiting for a show.
But Flint ignores them.
He focuses on me.
“How’s your day been?” he asks.
“Fine,” I say, trying not to sound breathless. “Yours?”
“Better now.”
My cheeks heat. He’s good. Too good. Every smile, every glance, every soft tone feels perfectly crafted to make me feel special.
And it’s working.
We eat. We talk. He asks about my classes, my dorm, my interests. He listens. He laughs at my jokes. He makes me feel… normal.
Wanted.
Seen.
For a moment, I forget the whispers. The stares. The scentlessness. The way people avoid me in the halls.
For a moment, I feel like I belong.
Then Nyra arrives.
She struts over with her perfect hair and perfect smile, placing a manicured hand on Flint’s shoulder like she owns him.
“Flint,” she purrs. “We’re all going to the lake tonight. You’re coming, right?”
Flint doesn’t look at her hand. Doesn’t look at her at all.
He keeps his eyes on me.
“I’m busy,” he says.
Nyra blinks. “Busy?”
“Yeah.” He gestures between us. “Having lunch.”
Nyra’s smile tightens. “With her?”
I stiffen.
Flint’s jaw flexes. “Nyra, don’t start.”
She leans closer, ignoring me entirely. “You know she’s—”
“Nyra.” His voice sharpens. “Enough.”
Her eyes flick to me, full of venom. “Fine. Enjoy your… lunch.”
She walks away, hips swaying, her friends whispering behind her.
Flint sighs. “Sorry about that.”
“It’s okay,” I say, though my chest feels tight.
“She’s dramatic,” he says. “Don’t take it personally.”
I nod, even though I always do.
He takes a sip of his drink, then leans in again. “Actually… speaking of the lake…”
My heart jumps. “What about it?”
“A few of us are hanging out there tonight. Nothing big. Just a bonfire, music, drinks.” He smiles. “You should come.”
I freeze.
A party.
Me.
At a lake.
With Flint.
“I don’t know…” I say quietly. “I’m not really—”
“You’ll have fun,” he says. “I’ll be there.”
“That’s not—”
“Kendra.” His voice softens. “I want you there.”
My breath catches.
Nyra appears again, like a bad omen. “She shouldn’t come,” she snaps. “It’s not her scene.”
Flint’s patience snaps. “Nyra, go away.”
She recoils like he slapped her. “You’re choosing her over me?”
“I’m choosing peace,” he mutters.
Nyra storms off, her friends scrambling after her.
Flint turns back to me, expression softening instantly. “Ignore her. She’s jealous.”
Jealous. Of me.
The thought feels unreal.
He leans closer. “Come tonight. Please.”
I shouldn’t.
I know I shouldn’t.
But he’s looking at me like I matter.
Like I’m wanted.
Like I’m not the scentless girl everyone avoids.
“Okay,” I whisper. “I’ll come.”
His smile is bright and victorious. “Good.”
We finish lunch, and for a moment, I let myself enjoy it. Let myself believe this could be something real.
But when I stand to leave, something strange happens.
The metal fork on my tray vibrates — just slightly — like it’s reacting to my heartbeat.
I blink.
It stops.
I shake it off and head back to the dorm.
**
Vera and Ophelia are waiting the moment I walk in.
“Well?” Vera demands.
“How was it?” Ophelia asks softly.
I hesitate. “It was… nice.”
Vera groans. “Oh no.”
Ophelia bites her lip. “Did he ask you something?”
I nod. “There’s a lake party tonight. He invited me.”
Vera’s eyes widen. “Absolutely not.”
“Kendra…” Ophelia says gently. “Are you sure?”
“I don’t know,” I admit. “But he asked me. And he defended me. And he was… sweet.”
Vera throws herself onto her bed dramatically. “This is how horror movies start.”
Ophelia gives me a small, worried smile. “If you go… we’ll help you get ready.”
My chest warms. “Thanks.”
I walk to my closet and pull the doors open.
My clothes look suddenly unfamiliar — too plain, too simple, too not‑enough. I run my fingers along a soft black top, and the fabric warms under my touch, like it’s responding to me.
A faint shimmer pulses across the surface.
I blink.
It fades.
I swallow hard.
Not now.
Not today.
I pull the top out anyway and hold it against myself in the mirror.
“Tonight might change everything,” I whisper.
I have no idea how right — or how wrong — I am.
- Writer
