Episode 2 : Do I love her?
1415 Words
The second day at Blackwood University felt different.
The unfamiliar buildings no longer seemed intimidating, and the faces rushing through campus didn't feel like strangers anymore. Simone Carter walked through the courtyard with a little more confidence than yesterday, her backpack slung over one shoulder as the morning breeze played with her long, dark Afro curls.
Maybe this place wouldn't be so bad after all.
That thought lasted exactly thirty seconds.
"Well, if it isn't the transfer girl."
Charlotte's voice echoed across the courtyard.
She stood beside Riley and Jasmine, each wearing matching smirks.
"I heard Coach Reynolds already likes you," Charlotte teased.
"Or maybe Gabrielle just pities you," Riley added.
Simone simply smiled politely.
"I'm just here to study."
Jasmine scoffed.
"You'd better remember that."
Before Simone could respond, Gabrielle appeared.
"Everything alright over here?"
Charlotte rolled her eyes.
"We're just talking."
"Then try talking without insulting people," Gabrielle replied.
Charlotte shrugged.
"Come on, girls."
The three walked away, still whispering among themselves.
Gabrielle sighed.
"They'll get bored eventually."
"I hope so."
"They always target someone new."
Simone smiled gratefully.
"Thanks for always standing up for me."
Gabrielle nudged her shoulder.
"That's what teammates do."
...
After lectures, Simone wandered toward the quiet garden behind the library.
She found the same wooden bench beneath the towering oak tree and slipped a novel from her backpack.
The Night Circus.
It had been her favourite book since high school. Every page transported her somewhere magical, somewhere she didn't have to worry about fitting in.
She tucked one leg beneath herself as she became lost in the story.
Across campus, Brandon Hayes carried a folder of practice schedules toward the gym.
Coach Reynolds walked beside him, discussing drills for the afternoon.
"...We'll split them into groups today."
Brandon nodded absentmindedly.
His attention drifted toward the garden.
Toward the girl sitting alone beneath the oak tree.
She looked completely at peace.
A gentle breeze lifted a few curls across her face before she brushed them back without taking her eyes off the page.
Coach Reynolds stopped walking.
"You listening?"
Brandon blinked.
"Huh?"
Coach Reynolds laughed.
"That's the second time today."
Brandon looked away from the garden.
"Sorry."
Coach Reynolds raised an eyebrow.
"You've been distracted lately."
"I'm fine."
Yet as they continued walking, Brandon silently questioned himself.
What's wrong with me?
She's one of our players.
Focus on coaching.
He shook the thought away and headed inside the gym.
...
Practice ended with Gabrielle jogging over to Simone.
"So..."
"No."
"You don't even know what I'm asking."
"You're inviting me somewhere."
Gabrielle grinned.
"There's a welcome party tonight."
"I don't really do parties."
"Exactly why you should come."
"I'd rather stay in with my book."
Gabrielle folded her arms dramatically.
"You've spent enough time reading."
"I like reading."
"I know."
"But university is about making memories too."
After nearly ten minutes of convincing, Simone finally sighed.
"Fine."
Gabrielle threw her arms into the air.
"Yes!"
...
Two hours later, Gabrielle stood inside Simone's apartment, staring in disbelief.
"You cannot wear that."
Simone looked down at her oversized hoodie.
"What?"
"It screams 'I'm staying home.'"
Gabrielle opened a garment bag and revealed a simple emerald-green dress.
Nothing flashy.
Just elegant.
"You'll look amazing."
An hour later, Simone barely recognized herself.
Her curls framed her face naturally, and the dress complemented her athletic figure without feeling overdone.
Gabrielle smiled proudly.
"There she is."
...
The party was already alive with music and conversation.
As Simone entered beside Gabrielle, several conversations paused.
People looked up.
Not because she was trying to draw attention, but because she carried herself with quiet confidence.
She immediately became uncomfortable.
"They're staring."
Gabrielle gently took her hand.
"You're okay."
"They're just curious."
"You belong here."
Simone nodded.
"Thanks."
While Gabrielle greeted teammates, Simone wandered toward the refreshments.
"Mind if I stand here?"
She turned.
A young man wearing glasses smiled warmly.
"I'm Zion."
"Simone."
"I've seen you in Professor Dawson's class."
"You ask really thoughtful questions."
She laughed softly.
"So do you."
The two quickly discovered a shared love of books and science.
Their conversation flowed naturally.
Across the room, Jasmine watched with disbelief.
"I've been trying to get Zion to notice me for weeks."
Charlotte frowned.
"And now he's talking to her."
Jasmine's expression darkened.
...
A few minutes later, Simone excused herself to the restroom.
As she washed her hands, the door opened.
Jasmine.
Riley.
Charlotte.
Jasmine crossed her arms.
"Stay away from Zion."
Simone frowned.
"We were only talking."
"He's my friend."
"I wasn't trying to upset anyone."
Charlotte stepped closer.
"Just remember what she said."
Without another word, they walked out.
Simone stared at her reflection before reaching for her phone.
Gabrielle, I'm feeling tired. I think I'm heading home.
She also sent Zion a brief message thanking him for the conversation.
Quietly, she slipped out the front door.
...
Her ride-share app searched for a driver.
None available.
She waited.
Still nothing.
Reluctantly, Simone began walking.
The streets were nearly empty.
Then an old pickup slowed beside her.
A group of young men called out, trying to get her attention.
She ignored them and kept walking.
The truck stopped ahead.
Its doors opened.
Fear rushed through her.
She turned and ran.
Footsteps followed.
Suddenly, bright headlights illuminated the road.
A dark SUV pulled between Simone and the men.
The driver's door opened.
It was Brandon.
His expression was calm but firm.
"Leave," he said.
The men hesitated, then climbed back into their truck and drove away.
Brandon turned to Simone.
"Are you alright?"
She nodded shakily.
"I'm okay... just scared."
"I'll drive you home."
The drive home was wrapped in silence.
Not the awkward kind.
The kind where neither of them knew what to say after everything that had happened.
The soft glow of the dashboard lit Brandon's face as he kept his eyes on the road.
Simone stole a glance at him before quickly looking away.
She had only spoken to him a handful of times around the basketball court as her coach.
A greeting here.
A polite smile there.
Nothing more.
Yet tonight...
He had shown up when she needed someone most.
"You okay?" Brandon finally asked.
She nodded.
"I think so."
"You don't have to pretend."
A faint smile touched her lips.
"I'm still a little shaken."
"I would be too."
Another silence settled between them.
This time it felt... comfortable.
As they stopped at a red light, Simone noticed the tattoos running along Brandon's forearm.
The black ink disappeared beneath the sleeve of his jacket.
"They're interesting," she said quietly.
He looked over.
"My tattoos?"
She nodded.
"They suit you."
A small laugh escaped him.
"I wasn't expecting that."
"Most people judge them before they ask."
"I like stories."
"They look like they have one."
For a brief moment, Brandon forgot about the road ahead.
No one had ever described them like that.
The light turned green.
He drove on.
A few minutes later, they reached her apartment.
"We're here."
She reached for the handle.
Locked.
She looked at him in confusion.
Brandon smiled slightly.
"One thing first."
"What?"
"Promise me you'll never walk home alone again."
She hesitated before nodding.
"I promise."
"Good."
He unlocked the doors.
She stepped out but paused.
"Thank you... Really."
"You don't owe me anything."
"I just happened to be driving by."
She smiled.
"Still..."
"I'm glad it was you."
Those words lingered in the air.
She closed the door gently and disappeared inside her building.
Brandon remained parked for a moment longer.
He watched the entrance until the lights inside flickered on.
Only then did he drive away.
Back in her apartment, Simone showered and changed into an oversized T-shirt.
She heated the leftover pizza sitting in her fridge and curled up on her bed.
Her phone buzzed.
Dad: Back tomorrow.
She smiled.
Simone: Can't wait.
As she switched off the bedside lamp, one thought crossed her mind.
Brandon...
He's kind.
She laughed softly at herself.
"You're overthinking."
Across town, Brandon unlocked the door to his apartment.
He tossed his keys onto the kitchen counter and leaned against it.
He barely knew Simone Carter.
Yet somehow...
He couldn't stop replaying the way she had thanked him.
Or the small smile she gave him before walking inside.
But even after climbing into bed...
The image of the quiet girl with the beautiful curls and the book she'd carried everywhere refused to leave his thoughts.
Would things remain the same between them?
- Writer
