Burn me slowly

Chapter Five: Sparks and Snark

Faye

I swear, some people were just born to be a walking headache. Take Ezra, for example, he leaned against my dorm room doorframe like he owned the place, arms crossed and that infuriating smirk plastered on his face. The kind of smirk that said, I know you’re annoyed but also, I kinda enjoy this.

“Do you even listen when I talk, or is that just a myth?” he asked, voice dripping with sarcastic challenge.

I glanced up from my economics notes, tapping my pen against the notebook with a rhythm that was less study and more me trying to stay sane. “Excuse me, I was listening. Just deciding if your lecture on supply and demand was more tragedy or comedy.”

His eyes narrowed, and I could practically see the mental gears turning behind them. “That’s rich coming from someone who barely took notes last class.”

I shot him a look so fierce I almost scared myself. “Oh, so now you’re the attendance police? Should I start calling you Sergeant Ezra?”

He chuckled, low and teasing and I felt a heat rising in my cheeks that had absolutely nothing to do with the weather. “You wound me, Faye. Just trying to keep you on track. Someone’s gotta do it.”

“Maybe you should focus on yourself,” I fired back, shutting my notebook with a snap. “You’ve been daydreaming more than I have lately.”

His eyes flicked away for a second before locking back onto mine, that smirk softening just enough to make me question if maybe this wasn’t just our usual verbal sparring. “Maybe I’m daydreaming about the only person who doesn’t make me want to pull my hair out.”

Heart: thump-thump-thump. Me: internally screaming.

I opened my mouth to respond, but before I could get a word out, the door slammed open and Jude breezed in, that cocky grin like he owned every room he walked into.

“Whoa, what’s the vibe here? Ezra and Faye going toe-to-toe? Should I call the referee?” Jude’s voice was playful but carried that hint of “I know exactly what’s going on.”

I rolled my eyes so hard I swear they almost got stuck. “Not now, Jude.”

Ezra muttered something about not needing a distraction, but I caught the flicker of something in his eyes. Jealousy? Nah. Couldn’t be.

Before Jude could stir more trouble, Sam appeared in the doorway, calm and steady as always. “You guys arguing again? At least try to act like adults for once.”

Sam was the anchor in my chaotic sea, the one person whose presence made everything feel manageable. I smiled at him, grateful for the sanity check.

Ezra gave a mock salute. “Truce, for now. Because Sam said so.”

I laughed—honestly, I’d missed that sound lately. “Fine, Sergeant Ezra. You win this round.”

Jude waved goodbye, smirking like he was leaving the battlefield, but the electricity between Ezra and me didn’t disappear. It hovered, thick and almost tangible.

I glanced down at my phone, mom’s text: “How are you? Don’t forget to eat!” I typed back, “All good. Surviving college, one coffee at a time.”

Ezra caught the exchange, raising an eyebrow. “Your mom checks on you? That’s surprising.”

I narrowed my eyes. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

He shrugged, playful but sincere. “Nothing. Just that you seem tougher than your texts let on.”

That hit a nerve. Parents always made me feel safe, even if I acted like I had it all together. Tough or not, they were my lifeline.

Then the door creaked open again, and Vivienne stepped in, that glare of hers slicing through the room like a knife.

“Hey, Faye. Got a minute?” she asked, voice syrupy sweet but heavy with something dangerous underneath.

My stomach clenched. Vivienne was trouble wrapped in a smile. But I squared my shoulders, refusing to show the slightest flicker of fear.

“Yeah. What’s up?” I kept my voice steady, even though my heart was racing.

Vivienne’s smile widened, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Just wanted to catch up. Maybe clear the air.”

I forced a polite smile. “Sure. Let’s talk.”

As she closed the door behind her, the weight of whatever was coming pressed down on me. I couldn’t shake the feeling that this was only the beginning of something bigger—and darker.

Weirdly, as much as Ezra and I fought, I found myself drawn to him. His presence was like a spark in a dry forest, and I couldn’t help but wonder if the inevitable fire would burn us both.

Later that night, I sat in my room, scrolling through old texts from my parents. They’d always been supportive, sometimes a little overbearing, but I loved them for it. My dad’s voice was still the calm in my head when everything else felt chaotic. I texted him back, “Miss you guys. Hope to visit soon.” The reply came almost immediately: “We miss you too, kiddo. Stay safe.”

I sighed, knowing the future was uncertain but secretly hoping for something stable, something real.

The tension with Ezra was growing. I could feel it in every glance, every word we exchanged. It was like we were two magnets pulled together by a force we couldn’t or wouldn’t resist.

And then there was Jude. Always there, always watching, always a wild card. I wasn’t sure if he was friend or foe, or maybe both. But one thing was certain: college was about to get a lot more complicated.

Later that week...

We found ourselves in the library, stuck side by side for a group study session that neither of us wanted but both needed.

Ezra leaned over the table, whispering, “If you’re trying to distract me, it’s not working.”

I snorted. “As if you’re not distracting me just by being here.”

He smirked, eyes darkening in a way that made my breath hitch. “Careful, Faye. You’re playing with fire.”

“Maybe I like a little danger,” I shot back, feeling the heat between us grow.

It was a game now. A dance of words and glances, bickering that was really just a cover for something deeper.

And I wasn’t sure if I was ready for the flames.