Merlina's POV
The halls of Belview College, buzzing with sweet chaos—students chatting, shoes clacking on polished floors, the scent of fresh textbooks mixed with the rich smell of coffee from the café.
It felt like the perfect storm of new beginnings and caffeine-fueled anxiety.
First day here, and I already felt the weight of everyone's eyes on me.
Thanks, Dad, for making me start late—he ever wanted me here in the first place.
I tried to ignore the whispers and the stares as I found a seat in the classroom. But then she walked in. A blonde with an ice-cold stare, strutted in like she owned the place, eyes immediately locking onto mine.
"Hey, newbie—you're in my seat. Move it." Her voice sliced through the quiet, commanding attention like she was the queen of this damn place.
I froze, caught off guard by her abruptness. I had barely set my bag down when my roommate Megan, leaned back in her chair with a playful smirk, grabbing my hand with a firm tug.
"Girl, please," Megan said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "This isn't high school, and you don't own oxygen. Sit somewhere else."
The blonde glared at us for a moment, her eyes flicking between Megan and me like we were some kind of obstacle.
After a long, dramatic pause—complete with eye-rolls and sighs—she finally spun on her heel and stormed off, her little entourage trailing behind like confused backup dancers.
I straightened up in my seat, still slightly rattled—like, did I just survive my first campus villain encounter or what?
Professor Harper strolled in like he'd just rolled out of bed and wandered into the wrong building.
Shirt slightly wrinkled, hair doing its own thing, and a coffee cup permanently glued to his hand. He gave the class a lazy once-over and smirked like we were all part of some inside joke only he knew.
So much for the almighty Belview College.
"Good day, class. It's been a pretty boring week, hasn't it?"
The class responded in unison, clearly as eager for something different as I was.
"Well, let's spice it up with a pop test—worth ten percent. Open your Law 101 handbook."
A collective groan swept through the room. Oh great, just what I needed.
"Um, excuse me, Sir?" I raised my hand, my voice tentative. "I don't have the handbook… I literally just resumed college. Today."
Professor Harper shot me an impatient look, his voice clipped. "Then go get yourself one. Hurry. Test starts now."
My frustration simmered as I stormed out of the classroom. I couldn't believe this. Of all the days…
I crossed the open campus field, trying to shake off the annoyance.
Students were sprawled across benches, chatting or glued to their phones. I scanned the area, my eyes stopping when I saw him.
He was sitting alone on a bench, flipping through the Law 101 handbook with an ease that made it seem like he was doing nothing more than breathing.
His presence was magnetic, even from a distance, and I could feel myself drawn to him—against my better judgment.
Just ask. It'll be fine.
I hesitated for a moment before walking over, clearing my throat. "Hey, uh… excuse me?" My voice was quieter than I'd intended, but it was already too late to back out.
He looked up at me, his expression unreadable, but his eyes—those eyes—made my pulse jump.
Oh no. He was… way too hot. Like, ruin-your-life hot.
"What?" His tone was deep, bored, and unbothered.
"I'm really sorry to bother you, but I need to borrow your handbook. Just for a few minutes," I said, trying to sound casual even though my brain was running at a million miles per hour.
He raised an eyebrow, glancing at the book in his hands. "You can't see that I'm busy with it?"
I felt my stomach sink. "Look, I have a test in there, and I don't even know where the library is. Plus, even if I did, I don't have a library card… so please, I—"
"That's supposed to be my problem because?" he interrupted, his voice thick with sarcasm.
I froze. My face fell, and before I could stop myself, I snapped. "Whoa, okay, Diva, sorry to bother you."
He studied me for a moment, his gaze unwavering. It was like he was assessing me—deciding whether I was insane or just… interesting. Finally, without a word, he handed the book to me.
Surprise coursed through me as I took it. "Oh—thanks! You're a lifesaver!"
I quickly left, trying to ignore the flutter in my chest as I returned to class. The test was brutal, and by the time it ended, I was ready to collapse into a chair and pretend the day had never happened.
My roommates, Phoebe and Megan, were waiting by the door as I gathered my things. Megan had that mischievous glint in her eye as Phoebe leaned against the wall, a teasing smile on her lips.
"So? How'd it go?" Phoebe asked, looking way too amused for someone who hadn't been through the hell that was that pop quiz.
I sighed, rubbing my forehead. "Honestly? I survived. Barely. I think I blacked out halfway through the last question."
"Ugh, that man lives to ruin lives," Phoebe muttered. "Professor Harper needs to retire—or get therapy."
I chuckled tiredly. "Or both. He looked me dead in the eye while collecting my script… like he knew I bombed it."
Megan grinned. "Or maybe you just need to stop crying over your essay sections."
"Hey!" I mock-glared at her. "I was sweating, not crying."
We all laughed as we made our way down the hallway, the tension easing between us.
I didn't expect to see him again. But of course, there he was, sitting on that same bench, scrolling through his phone like he had all the time in the world.
Okay. Just return the book. Don't make be weird.
I walked over, my heart thumping faster than I cared to admit. "Hey," I called out, unsure how this would go.
"You're done," he said flatly, snatching the book from my hands without even looking up. His voice was sharp, dismissive.
I tried to keep my cool. "Yeah… thanks for letting me borrow it."
I paused, glancing at him, the sarcasm bubbling up in my throat. "Although, I could swear you were about to have a heart attack handing it over."
He narrowed his eyes, a flicker of irritation crossing his face. "Sorry?"
I pressed on, a little too eager to see how he'd react. "Earlier, it looked like you weren't exactly thrilled to share. But hey, no judgment."
He gave me a glance, his expression unreadable, before turning away.
Slightly embarrassed by the awkward silence, I turned to leave, silently cursing myself for trying to be decent to someone clearly raised by wolves. I barely took two steps when his voice cut through the air.
"Hey," he called out, his voice cool but with an edge.
I turned around, heart doing that annoying flutter thing it had no business doing.
"Yeah?" I said, halfway between confused and bracing for a second round of embarrassment.
He held up the handbook, flipping it toward me like it had personally offended him. "You ripped my handbook?"