Love, Lies, and Lecture Halls

Chapter 5: Roommate Rule #1: Don’t Fall

“The rain makes everything quieter. Except your heart.” – Liora Celestine

SCENE 1: Rainfall & Blackout

A typhoon warning had rolled in. Classes were suspended. Students were advised to stay indoors.

Katienne and Liora sat in their dorm, windows rattling with rain.

The lights flickered.

Liora: “I swear, if the power cuts, I’m murdering the maintenance team.”

Katienne: “Do I get to watch?”

Liora: “You’re on the maybe-list.”

BOOM. Lightning flashed.

POP. The power cut out.

Total darkness.

Katienne: “Nice.”

Liora: “I’ll get the flashlight.” (flatly)

SCENE 1.1: Dorm-Wide Chaos

From the hallway, someone screamed, “MY INSTANT NOODLES WERE MID-MICROWAVE!”

Another voice: “DAX, STOP USING YOUR PHONE FLASHLIGHT TO TELL GHOST STORIES!”

Katienne peeked into the corridor. "This is either the start of a horror movie or a campus musical."

Liora returned with one working flashlight and a disapproving glare. “Close the door before someone sings.”

SCENE 2: One Blanket, One Room

They found one working flashlight, a few candles, and one shared blanket from the emergency stash.

Katienne: “We’re college students. We fear nothing but tuition and unexpected feelings.”

Liora: “Speak for yourself.”

Katienne: “Are you cold?”

Liora: “I’m always cold.”

Katienne: “Physically or emotionally?”

Liora: “Pick one.”

They sat closer by necessity, legs nearly touching, blanket shared between them.

Liora (mumbling): “You’re warm.”

Katienne (softly): “You too. Scary.”

She didn’t pull away.

SCENE 2.1: Blanket Negotiations

Katienne tried to tug more of the blanket to his side.

Liora elbowed him. "Fair share, thief."

"You're like an ice cube wrapped in sarcasm. I'm protecting myself."

"From me?"

"From my own feelings."

She blinked. Then smirked. "Idiot."

SCENE 3: Flashlight Confessions

They played a soft game of Flashlight Truth or Dare. The rules? No dares. Just truths. Gentle, vulnerable.

Katienne: “What was your first heartbreak?”

Liora: “…My dad.”

Katienne: “Oh.”

Liora: “He left. Took half our money. My mom raised me alone. So I stopped trusting anyone.”

Silence.

Liora: “Your turn. What’s your biggest secret?”

Katienne (quietly): “I wanted to be an artist. But everyone told me it was stupid. So I act like I don’t care.”

Liora: “You do care.”

A beat.

Liora: “Why are you looking at me like that?” (whispers)

Katienne: “Because… you’re beautiful when you’re not trying to win.”

The space between them shrank.

Rain kept falling.

He brushed a hair from her face.

Liora: “Katienne…”

Katienne: “Hmm?”

Liora: “If you kiss me, I might not stop you.”

He didn’t.

Not yet.

SCENE 3.1: Internal Panic, External Calm

In Katienne’s head: OH GOOODNESSS THIS IS HAPPENING STAY COOL DON'T PASS OUT.

Out loud: “Good to know.” (calmly)

Liora tucked her legs closer, heart hammering. “You’re taking forever.”

“Building suspense.”

She rolled her eyes. “You’re impossible.”

“You like that.”

She didn’t deny it.

SCENE 4: Interrupted Tension

Suddenly—BANG BANG BANG.

Yuna’s voice from the hallway.

Yuna: “Are you guys okay?! I brought snacks and—WAIT, are you guys sharing a blanket?!”

Katienne and Liora (in unison): “YUNA!”

Katienne pulled back, Liora groaned and threw the flashlight at the door.

SCENE 4.1: Yuna the Chaos Fairy

The door cracked open slightly. Yuna peeked in with a cookie clenched between her teeth.

“Should I go or… third wheel cuddle?”

“OUT!” they shouted again.

Yuna grinned. “Fine, fine. But this blackout romance? Ten outta ten.”

She shut the door.

Katienne sank back against the wall.

Liora muttered, “I’m never sharing a blanket again.”

Katienne glanced at her. “Liar.”



She didn’t argue.

The rain continued to fall.

And so did something else.

But neither of them was ready to name it yet.