episode 7: Final notice
793 Words
Tania spotted Eliot the moment she stepped back into the pulsing glow of the party. He was standing near the kitchen, eyes scanning the room like he was searching for someone.
The second he saw her, his expression softened.
“There you are,” he said, weaving through the crowd. “Where did you run off to?” His voice was warm, almost relieved. He held out a red cup. “Fruity. Like you asked.”
Tania took it hesitantly, the plastic cool in her hand.
He started to say something else, his lips parting with a smile—but she didn’t give him the chance.
“Eliot,” she said sharply, “maybe don’t. Okay?”
He blinked, caught off guard.
“Your girlfriend isn’t cool with you talking to me,” she continued, voice low but firm. “And honestly? Neither am I.”
His brow furrowed. “She’s at it again,” he muttered under his breath—but Tania caught it.
She stared at him. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
He let out a sigh, then leaned in slightly so only she could hear. “Look, it’s a misunderstanding. We broke up two nights ago. For real this time. I told her I was done.”
Tania didn’t respond. Her expression didn’t shift.
“She just…” he rubbed the back of his neck. “Taylor always does this. She flips out over something small, storms off, then shows up like nothing happened. And usually, I let her. But not anymore. I swear.”
Tania shook her head, stepping back.
“You know what?” she said. “I don’t need this. Any of this.”
Her voice was quiet but cutting.
She didn’t wait for a response. She turned, walking straight toward Zara, who was deep in conversation with Heather near the speaker.
Tania leaned in, whispered something quickly in her ear.
Zara’s eyes widened a little, then she nodded.
A minute later, they were both slipping through the crowd, heading for the door—heels clicking, music thumping behind them, and a night of questions trailing close behind.
The dorm hall was quiet when they got back—just the faint hum of distant music from someone’s headphones behind closed doors.
Zara pushed the door open and flicked on the light. Their room welcomed them with its usual warmth—
Tania kicked off her shoes without a word and collapsed onto her bed, arms over her eyes.
Zara watched her for a moment before dropping her purse on the desk. “So… that was a lot.”
Tania didn’t respond.
Zara sat on the edge of her bed. “You okay?”
There was a pause.
Then: “I’m just tired,” Tania said quietly, voice muffled by her sleeve.
Zara gave her a look. “Tired as in ‘I need sleep’ tired or tired as in ‘the universe is ganging up on me’ tired?”
Tania let out a small laugh, dry and low. “A bit of both.”
Zara stood, went over
then rummaged through her tote bag.
“Here,” she said softly, tossing something onto Tania’s bed.
A slightly squished chocolate bar.
“Here. Emergency sweet bar.”
Tania caught it without looking. “Thanks.”
There was a beat of silence between them as Zara flopped onto her own bed, legs crossed.
“So…” Zara finally said, glancing at her. “He seemed like he really liked you. The guy. Eliot.”
Tania exhaled, sitting up slowly. “Yeah, maybe. But his drama came attached with a full warning label. Like—Hi, meet my ex who still thinks she’s my present.”
Zara snorted. “Classic.”
“I don’t even know him,” Tania said. “And already I feel like I got dragged into something that’s not mine.”
Zara nodded. “Welcome to college.”
They both laughed, this time a little more freely.
After a moment, Tania looked over. “You think I overreacted?”
Zara shook her head. “No. You did what felt right. Honestly? Walking away like that? Kind of a power move.”
Tania smiled faintly. “I just didn’t want to be someone’s plot twist. You know?”
Zara sat up straighter. “You’re not. You’re the main character. Let them spin around you.”
Tania chuckled. “God, you’re dramatic.”
“Am I wrong though?”
Tania shook her head. “No. You’re not.”
There was a small, shared silence. Comfortable this time.
Then Zara asked, “So… what now?”
Tania looked toward the window, where the night stretched quiet and wide.
She heaved a long, steady sigh.
And said nothing.
--
- Writer
