After an uneventful day of full-on nerd mode, the rest of the week is just club events to welcome the freshmen—which means a ton of free time. I should be thrilled. But honestly? I'm exhausted. And just as I'm finally drifting off into a well-earned nap, my phone starts vibrating violently on the nightstand.
What. The. Actual. Fvck.
If I find out who's waking me up like this, I swear I'll hang that b*tch. Groaning, I reach for my phone, eyes barely open. Against my better judgment, I answer without checking the caller ID.
"The fvck is this?! Don't you fvcking know what time it is?!"
Multiple missed calls? Yeah, no—this isn't just annoying, it's a declaration of war.
"Let me guess. You're dead tired from your little collection of sex toys?" a voice teases through the line, amused and disgusted all at once. "And before you even think about answering, shut up. That wasn't an invitation."
That voice.
Ghad, I've missed her.
A smile tugs at my lips despite the irritation. It's been a while since we've talked, and hearing her again… it hits harder than I expected.
"You evil b*tch," I mutter. "How could you call me this late?"
"Haha. And where does that put you?"
"I'm the Queen B*tch. Obviously. Nothing you whiny babies can do about that."
"Ugh, shut up. Anyway—I'm joining another Battle of the Bands. You're gonna come watch, right?"
I exhale deeply. She knows I don't watch her gigs—not because I don't want to. I just... keep a distance from everything related to them as KD and as Kendall. And yeah, it's probably obvious why.
"Kends, please? You'll want to see our rival this time."
"Who is it?"
"The Deluxe Navigation. Ring any bells?"
Oh, hell. A band full of devils? That rings more than a bell. It smashes a gong.
"Yeah. Interesting…" I roll my eyes. Of course they're involved.
"You know what's worse?" she adds. "Even knowing how insufferable they are, I still wasn't prepared for how much of a jerk one of them was. I think his name's Zet… or Zeff. Whatever. But the bassist? Kinda cute. I think he goes to my school."
She giggles.
Oh no. She just giggled.
"You're drunk, right? Please tell me you're drunk. Because if you're sober, something is seriously wrong with you."
"Don't worry, Kends. Maybe a little tipsy. But don't think I've forgotten what they did. I haven't. I won't."
That settles something in my chest. They're all I've got left. I'll protect them, no matter what.
"Club week's gonna be chill," I mutter. "Let's go out or something. But can we talk tomorrow? It's 2 a.m. and I need sleep. So do you."
"Mmkay," she yawns. "Not sorry for disturbing your 'wonderful' slumber. Bye Kends. Missed you."
And just like that, she's gone.
I sigh into the silence, pulling my blanket around me.
Maybe I really do need rest.
***
"Yes, I'm on my way," I say as I leave my apartment, heading toward the meet-up spot. Soon I'll be with the two most important people in my life.
"See you!" they yell on the other line before hanging up.
Club week means we finally have time to relax, to escape. No devils. No revenge schemes. Just a day on the beach with my girls.
Fifteen minutes later, I arrive. But no one's in sight.
Where the hell are they?
Just as I'm about to walk into the shop, someone jumps out.
"BOOO!"
I blink. Blank stare. Zero emotion.
"Ugh, seriously?! At least pretend to be surprised! I worked hard on that!" she pouts.
That's Lonia—dramatic, adorable, and always extra.
"That explains why I'm not surprised," I deadpan.
She starts hitting my shoulder in mock rage. "You're so mean!"
"I'm joking," I say, ruffling her hair. "You know I missed you, right?"
"Where's Arsyn?" I ask.
"She's in the washroom," Lonia says, carrying bags to my car. I grab the rest.
"How's my best friend doing?" she asks with a knowing smile.
Before I can answer, Arsyn strolls up.
"I'll guess it's too pleasurable for your innocent little ears, Lonia."
I smirk.
Lonia grabs us both into a group hug. I melt into it. This—this is what I missed.
"Let's go?" Arsyn says.
I nod. They're my people. My chosen family.
On the road, Arsyn takes shotgun. Lonia's in the back.
"What have you guys been up to?"
"Band stuff, mostly. Come see me, okay?"
"Alright, alright. I'll come."
"Ooooh! Want me to make a banner?" Lonia teases. "How about: 'Arsyn, you rock my bed last night!'"
We both gaped at her.
"Heck no!" Arsyn yells.
"Lonia's been corrupted," I sigh.
"What?! Why me? She started it!" Arsyn protests.
We all laugh.
"Go on, baby. Sleep," I tell Lonia.
She doesn't need convincing. In minutes, she's out cold.
A little while later, Arsyn yawns. I nod—permission to rest. She gets comfy and closes her eyes.
Three Hours Later
Almost there. I stop to refuel and grab snacks and coffee.
As I'm paying, two guys walk in. One in a cap, the other—
Sh*t.
Is that Zeke? And Paige?!
Why now? Why here?
I duck down an aisle, heart thumping.
"Blue Gatorade for Kaizer. Red's mine," I hear Zeke say. "Thoven wants coffee. Ugh, why are we always the errand boys?"
Fvck. They have the same vacation idea as us?
Can't I just have one peaceful day?
As I make a break for the door, someone slams into me—hard.
My coffee flies. Right. Onto. My. Shirt.
Seriously?
We both fall. I hit the floor hard.
Then I realize... his hand.
Is. On. My. Chest.
You've got to be kidding me.
I shove him off, grab my stuff, and storm out.
But not before stomping on his hand.
I don't look back.
But I know exactly who that was.
Kaizer Muntan.