“Thank you.” Both Siya and I speak simultaneously. We get out of the car. I link my arm with hers and wave to Arnav.
As we walk towards the main building, I glance around, taking in the familiar surroundings. The campus looks the same as ever, filled with crowds of students rushing to theirclasses, athletes jogging and exercising, and couples walking hand-in-hand.
I take a sip of my iced coffee. “I’ll never understand why you drink cold coffee in winter,” Siya says, shaking her head.
I chuckle. “Hey, it’s my guilty pleasure. Besides, it’s the perfect combination of bitter and sugary,” I reply. “My day feels incomplete if I don’t have cold coffee in the mornings. It makes me grumpy.”
I see a tall guy jogging towards me. His pace is fast and he looks lost in his world. Before I can get out of his way, he collides with me and the coffee cup slips out of my hand, spilling the chilled beverage on both of us.
Siya gasps. “Oh God. Are you alright, Anya?” she asks, reaching out for me, concern flashing in her brown eyes.
“Hey! Watch where you’re going.” I huff, annoyance creeping down my spine.
“I’m sorry. I wasn’t looking at—” He pauses, gaze traveling slowly up my face. When his eyes finally meet mine, a flash of surprise crosses his expression as if he’s only just become aware of our surroundings. He towers over me, broad shoulders casting a long shadow. Angular, sharp features define his face with a tousled mess of chestnut brown hair that falls over his forehead. His piercing emerald-green eyes are intense and vibrant while a strong jawline and a hint of stubble lend him a rugged, untamed air.
I catch myself staring and feel a wave of embarrassment for getting distracted. “Seriously, watch where you’re jogging next time,” I say, trying to keep my composure despite the coffee dripping down my front.
Amusement flickers in his gaze. “I apologize,” he repeats.
“Well, your apologies are not accepted because I am going to have to spend my entire day drenched in cold coffee. And if I catch a cold, I will—” I fumble, my nose flaring in anger. It doesn’t help that this guy is dangerously handsome.
“You will what?” He chuckles, the sound making my cheeks flush. A small smile forms on his face.
My frustration rises more, realizing that he finds this situation entertaining. “I will…” I poke his rock-hard chest. “I don’t have to tell you what I will do. You just pray to God that I don’t fall sick because of you.” I fold my arms across my chest, shooting him a scathing glare.
A low laugh rumbles through him as he looks at me. The cocky bastard is enjoying my anger, which just fuels it.
I continue, trying to look as intimidating as possible despite my five-foot-six stature. “You are paying my dry cleaning bill, I don’t care.”
“Okay, okay. I promise to pay for your dry cleaning. No need to get all riled up.” A smirk touches his lips.
“Come on. We are late,” Siya says slowly. My eyes widen as I remember I have a lecture to attend. “Oh shit!” I curse and glare at him. “Now, I am late for class, too. All thanks to you.” I cough, and without giving him an opportunity to speak, we rush away. I push him slightly out of my way intentionally. I don’t usually hold grudges, but I do now. I turn around to glance at him once more, only to find him looking at me. I hold up my middle finger, and he laughs again.
What a great start to the semester!
∞∞∞
2
ANYA
The class groans collectively. “I know, I know,” Professor Brown says. “I’m not asking for a submission now. It’ll be due towards the end of the semester, so you have plenty of time,” she clarifies, her composed tone doing little to ease the frustration in the room.
I sigh, slumping back in my seat. It’s only the first day and we already have an assignment.Great. Just what I needed.“You will be pairing up for this assignment,” she adds and the class sighs collectively. I resist the urge to groan louder than the rest. Group projects—my least favorite. Less freedom, too many opinions, and the endless back-and-forth just to agree on something.
“We can pair up together,” Sophie says, leaning toward me with an easy smile. Her blonde hair catches the light streaming through the window, and her blue eyes glint with amusement at my obvious displeasure. She knows me well enough to know how grumpy group assignments make me. We have known each other for almost a year now but she has managed to become so close to me, it’s a mystery how that happened, considering I am a reserved person. I nod andsmile back at her. If there’s anyone I wouldn’t mind working with, it’s her. “How’s Siya?” she asks.
“She was very nervous,” I say. I couldn’t even bid her a proper farewell because of that stupid guy, and I didn’t even catch his name. Now, I will have to bear all the dry cleaning expenses myself. Arnav is going to eat my head off. Plus, I feel guilty for rushing Siya.
“I have already made the pairs. I will email you the list now. You have ten minutes to check it out, find your partner, and sit with them. Then I will provide you with details about the assignment,” Professor Brown informs us and walks towards her laptop, her heels clicking against the floor.
I watch as she types something into the laptop, feeling reassured. The minutes tick by slowly, and finally, she clears her throat, catching everyone’s attention.
“Alright, I’ve just emailed you your partner details,” she announces. I reach for my phone, pull up my email, and scroll down the list of names.
Daniel Grayson.
Huh?My eyebrows furrow. I have never heard the name before.
