She’s Dating The Star Player

Panic Attack

I glanced at Garett who just arrived, my brows pulling together. What is he doing here? And why is he talking to me?

"You two know each other?" Dustin asked Garett, looking curious.

"We're in the same class—of course, I know her. Plus, we're study buddies." Garett glanced at me with a smirk, nodding. "Right, Marga?"

"Her name is Iris," Dustin corrected him.

My world just stopped. I blinked a few times. Did he really just correct Garett about my name? Oh my god... he knows my name! Am I hearing things? Or am I just hallucinating?

Garett let out a laugh— even though nothing was funny.

Just like that, whatever excitement I felt, disappeared and replaced by pure irritation instead. What is this guy's deal? Why is he making it seem like we're close? I didn't even know he was here. And study buddies? Seriously? Did he forget that I never even agreed to tutor him?

Dustin looked back at me. "Anyway, I just wanted to say hi. I thought you were alone."

What? Wait! That's it? We haven't even talked yet!

I shot a glare at Garett, hoping he'd get the hint and realize he was intruding.

But, of course, he didn't. Instead, he casually shoved his hands into his pockets, looking like he had no plans of leaving—almost as if he was waiting for Dustin to go instead.

I wanted to snap at him, to tell him to leave, but I hesitated. What if Dustin thought I was being rude? And let's be real—me, snapping at someone? Come on... I could barely get a sentence out without stuttering.

I sighed quietly and turned to Dustin, giving him a small nod. Not like I had a choice— Garett clearly wasn't planning on leaving.

"I'll head back to my friends. See you at campus."

"O-Okay..."

Dustin nodded, stealing a quick glance at Garett before walking away. I watched him go, feeling a little frustrated. That was my chance to finally talk to him after an entire semester of being completely unnoticed.

And of all time, someone had to get in the way, really?

Garett's voice snapped me out of my thoughts. "Didn't expect to see you here. Didn't think parties were your thing."

I turned to him, catching the way his eyes swept over me— like he was trying to figure me out. Or maybe just judging me.

Hold on— why is he sitting next to me like we're close or something?

I scooted away, frowning. He noticed—and smirked like he found it funny.

"Wow. You scooted away like I have some kind of disease. Just so you know, I literally took a shower ten minutes ago."

Does this guy ever shut up?

I don't like it when my skin touches someone else's— whether it's a family member or, worse, a stranger. Who knows where he's been or what kind of germs he's carrying?

"What do you want?" I asked bluntly.

The corner of his lips lifted, like he was holding back a laugh. "That's new."

"What is?"

"Me being the one to approach a girl."

I frowned. Seriously? Is this guy crazy? He was the one who approached me first! He's just used to girls making the first move on him.

"Mrs. Dorothy's letting us retake the exam next week. You probably heard about it. I'm sure some of our classmates are planning a group study. Why don't you just join them?"

"Mrs. Dorothy will give those who failed a chance to take the exam again next week. I'm sure you heard about it. Some of our classmates are planning a group study. Why don't you just join them?"

So, you'll stop pestering me!

I pulled out my phone from my purse and started scrolling. "I'll ask Monica. Maybe they're holding a review session tomorrow—"

"I don't want to," I said flatly.

He blocked my phone with his hand. I couldn't help but notice how big and veiny it was. My gaze lifted to meet his.

"I want you..." he said in a low, raspy voice, his eyes locked onto mine.

I stared at him, weirded out, before shaking my head and scrolling through my phone again.

"I can give you Monica's number. You can ask her when their review sessions are."

He let out a loud, frustrated sigh. "I already joined them earlier! I couldn't tell if it was a study session or a damn prayer meeting!"

The side of my lips rose up. He looked like a kid throwing a tantrum. "So, are you taking it or not?"

He didn't move. I shrugged and got up. If he wasn't interested, that was his problem. Without another word, I walked away.

I barely made it a few steps before I heard him trailing behind me.

"Hey! Marga! Wait up—"

I turned around, catching the smug grin on his face. Oh, so he was doing this on purpose? Trying to get a reaction out of me?

Please. I was used to being mistaken for someone else. It wasn't new and it didnt brother me. I was a nobody, after all.

"I'm just trying to help you even though we don't know each other. If you don't want it, then just leave me alone, will you?"

He let out a dramatic sigh, clearly giving in. "Okay! Fine! I'll take it!"

"I'll just AirDrop it—"

"Just show me the contact."

He held out his hand, but there was no way I was letting him touch my phone. That was off-limits. It wasn't like I had anything to hide—I just couldn't stop thinking about how many germs could be on his hands.

I scrolled through my contacts and held the screen up to his face. "Hurry up and take it."

Garett started typing on his phone, but before I could react, he casually swiped on my screen.

"Excuse me?" I quickly pulled my phone back. "What are you doing?"

"I couldn't see it properly. I was just zooming in. Relax."

I shot him a skeptical look before turning away. That's when I spotted Elona inside, scanning the crowd. The moment our eyes met, she practically shouted—

"Iris!"

I walked over, but she wasn't even looking at me— she was staring past me, eyes wide with disbelief.

"Did I just see you talking to Hayes?!"

Her reaction wasn't surprising. She was my only real friend on campus, and I barely talked to anyone else, let alone someone like Hayes.

"We're just classmates in one subject," I said flatly. "Are we leaving?"

Instead of answering, Elona craned her neck, eyes following Garett as he passed by. People greeted him left and right like he was some kind of celebrity.

"El! Hello?" I waved a hand in front of her face.

She blinked, snapping back to reality. "Not yet. I was looking for you— just making sure nothing happened."

I raised a brow. "Like what?"

"I don't know... falling into the pool? Spilling drinks on yourself? Tripped and landed flat on your face?"

"You're so dramatic. Do you really think I can't handle myself?"

Elona laughed, linking her arm with mine. "You? On your own? Please! You're a walking disaster, Iris! Come on, they're already at the billiard table!"

Well, she's my best friend—she knows me too well.

I didn't even realize how late it was when Elona and I finally made it back to the condo. I had to drag her out of the party before she got too drunk.

I didn't drink, so waking up to my alarm wasn't a problem. When I walked into the kitchen, Elona was already at the table, eating cereal like she had all the time in the world. Meanwhile, I was already dressed for class, ready to leave, while she still had the luxury of sleeping in.

"Hayes, huh..." Elona teased as she sat across from me.

She had been at it since last night, constantly bringing it up just to mess with me even though she knew full well that Dustin was the one I liked.

Speaking of which— I hadn't even told her yet that I actually talked to him!

"Dustin talked to me last night."

Her eyes went wide. "For real?!"

I nodded, biting my lower lip. "Yeah. He asked if I was with someone... And, Elona— he knows my name."

She rolled her eyes and laughed. "Of course, he does! You're literally classmates!"

I pouted, taking another spoonful of cereal.

"But what I didn't expect was that you're also classmates with Hayes! Why didn't you tell me?"

I shrugged. "He's not that important to mention."

"Giiiiiirl!" Elona practically shrieked. "He's the captain of the freaking basketball team! The almighty fuckboy of the century—Hayes!"

I wasn't sure whether to laugh or cringe at her over-the-top descriptions. Seriously, the way she hyped him up was so unnecessary.

I sighed, shoving another spoonful of cereal into my mouth. "You make it sound like he's some kind of god."

"He basically is—"

"Not to me." I stood up before she could launch into another speech about how Hayes was some untouchable campus legend. I didn't care. At all. The less I heard about him, the better. I wanted nothing to do with that guy. Period.

I left the unit and headed to campus. As I reached the hallway, a deep voice echoed behind me, making every student around me stop in their tracks. Heads turned, eyes widened, and suddenly, I was the center of attention.

"Iris Mercer!"

Why were they looking at me like I had committed a crime?

My pulse pounded faster and faster... Oh no! I couldn't breathe properly! My stomach churned like I was about to throw up.

I froze in place when suddenly, an arm draped over my shoulders. Every hair on my body stood on end, and a chill ran down my spine.

Germs alert!

Body contact alert!

Nooooo!

"I've been calling you, but you wouldn't turn around— hey? Are you okay?"

My eyes rolled back as the world around me faded to black.

And just like that, I passed out.

I woke up to the sight of the clinic's white ceiling. When I turned my head, Shannon was sitting beside me.

"You're awake. Are you feeling okay?" she asked, her voice calm but filled with concern.

Shannon was one of the most beautiful people I'd ever seen. She had that angelic look—soft features, glowing skin, and perfect curls that framed her face effortlessly.

Meanwhile, I had wavy hair—straight at the top, curling at the ends—and fair skin, both inherited from my parents. But aside from that, I never really saw much resemblance.

All of Mom and Dad's best features went straight to my brother—Dad's height and blue eyes, Mom's model-like face and unshakable confidence. Meanwhile, I got... just enough to prove we were related.

I shook my head and sat up. "I'm fine... but why are you here?"

"Someone messaged your brother, said you fainted and got brought here."

I frowned. "Who told him that?"

Before Shannon could answer, the clinic door swung open. The nurse walked in, followed by my brother Elliot... and Garett.

Wait... why is he here again?

"How are you feeling?" the nurse asked. "Any headaches? Dizziness?"

"No, I'm fine."

"I spoke with your brother earlier, about your medical history," she said, glancing at Elliot, who stood beside Shannon. "He mentioned that your last annual checkup results were all normal. Your temperature and blood pressure are fine too, but I just need to ask—when was your last period?"

"Last week."

I noticed the nurse flick her eyes toward Garett, who was standing off to the side, unusually quiet. Then she looked back at me, nodding slowly— like she wasn't entirely convinced.

Wait... what?

Why would I lie about my period?

Then it hit me.

Does she think... me and Garett—?!

Oh. My. God.

My face burned as I feel disgusted at the thought.

This is so embarrassing. Now Elliot and Shannon probably think something's going on. And why is this guy even here?

"If you're feeling fine, you can go back to class," the nurse said. "But I'd still recommend seeing a doctor, just to be sure there's no other reason you passed out."

"Alright," I nodded.

She handed me a prescription for vitamins and supplements that the university doctor had suggested over the phone.

As we walked out of the clinic, I glanced at Elliot. "Did you call Mom and Dad?"

"Not yet," he said. "But I will."

I stopped walking and turned to face him.

"Don't, Elliot. Please." I pleaded.

"This isn't the first time you've passed out, Charlotte."

I wrinkled my nose. He only called me by my second name for two reasons—either he was pissed, or he was really worried.

"I-I just got dizzy from the heat earlier... it's nothing serious. You even told the nurse my last check-up results were fine, right?"

"Nothing serious? You've fainted out of nowhere before. That's not normal."

I bit my lip. "I already had a check-up... and they didn't find anything wrong, right?"

Elliot didn't even hesitate. "No. I'm calling Mom and Dad." He pulled out his phone.

My chest tightened. Panic surged through me as I grabbed his wrist before he could press call.

"E, I swear, I'm fine. It was just the heat..."

He gave me a look—one that told me he wasn't buying it. "I'm not waiting for something worse to happen before I say anything."

"Please..." My voice came out quieter this time, almost breaking. "I don't want them to worry..."

Elliot didn't even flinch. He just kept dialing. I panicked, and in a last-ditch effort, I turned to Shannon, silently pleading for backup.

I really didn't want to drag Shannon, but I knew she was the only one Elliot would actually listen to. He'd do anything she asked—honestly, if she told him to jump off a cliff, he'd probably do it without question.

She met my eyes and gave me a small nod before gently placing a hand on Elliot's arm. Just like that, his attention shifted to her.

"It's better to tell your parents in person," she said in that calm, reassuring way of hers. "If you call them now, they'll just worry and might even rush over here. Let's have Iris get checked again first."

Elliot let out a frustrated sigh. "She's already had check-ups, Shannon."

"And they didn't find anything wrong, right? Maybe it really was just the weather. But if you're still worried, we can go with her, just to be sure. What do you think?"

He glanced between us, clearly torn. Then, after a long pause, he exhaled sharply and shoved his phone back into his pocket. I finally let out the breath I didn't realize I was holding.

"Okay, fine," Elliot sighed in defeat. "But we're taking you to the doctor tomorrow."

I nodded quickly. "Okay."

"Come on, we'll walk you to your building before I drop Shannon off."

"I-It's fine... I have company," I stammered.

I glanced subtly at Garett, who was a few steps away, casually leaning against the wall, scrolling through his phone. He had been following us ever since we left the clinic.

Elliot's gaze shifted past me, his brows pulling together. "Is Hayes trying to hit on you?"

I shook my head quickly. "O-Of course not!"

"Then why were you with him? He's the one who brought you to the clinic and texted me."

Wait... so that loud voice echoing through the hallway earlier—that was him?! And he's probably the one who put his arm around me too! The very reason I panicked and blacked out!

First, he ruined my chance to talk to Dustin. And now, he's added another offense to his list. Great. Just great!

"We're just classmates in one subject, a-and we just happened to be walking in the same hallway... h-he was there when I passed out," I stammered, trying to sound convincing.

I didn't want Elliot to get the wrong idea. If he found out that Garett was the reason I fainted, who knows what he'd do?

My brother has always had a bit of a temper. I've never seen him get into an actual fight, but back in high school, he was involved in more than a few fraternity riots.

"You sure?"

"Y-Yeah... you know me, E. I can barely hold a conversation with people— how could I possibly be dating someone?"

I wasn't trying to complain about not having suitors or anything— I just wanted to make my point.

Elliot studied me for a second before sighing and ruffling my hair. "Alright, fine. We're heading out."

"Let's hang out sometime," Shannon said with a smile.

I nodded, grateful. "Sure. Thanks..."

"Message me if you start feeling unwell, okay?"

"Okay, E..."

Elliot draped his arm around Shannon, and they walked away. I watched as they left, noticing Elliot says something to Garett before heading off. I couldn't hear what it was, but Garett just nodded before Elliot disappeared from sight.

What was my brother told him, huh?