The sun filtered through the tall windows as Winter, Luca, and Marco strolled through the busy hallway, heading toward class. Winter, as usual, walked in the center, his towering figure commanding attention. Marco had his hands shoved into his pockets, his easygoing smirk firmly in place, while Luca was busy flipping through a small book he always carried.
The trio were halfway to the classroom when Luca's eye darted to the left. He stopped in his tracks, grabbed Winter's arm, and whispered with a mix of alarm and curiosity, "Hey, look over there!"
Winter glanced in the direction Luca was pointing and felt his stomach drop. Charging towards them was none other than Lucia. Her long wavy hair bounced as she sprinted down the hall with surprising determination.
"Oh no..." Marco muttered, his smirk vanishing.
"She's coming right at us," Luca added, his tone tinged with panic.Winter froze, his jaw tightening. "What does she want now?"
But, to their collective shock, Lucia turn and headed straight into the classroom, without so much as a glance.
"What just happen?" Marco asked, breaking the stunned silence.
Winter's brow furrowed as he followed Lucia's path into the room. He entered cautiously, his gaze locking onto her figure. She stood near Wamika's desk, clutching her books nervously.
"Can I... Can I sit here?" Lucia asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Wamika, who was casually flipping through her notes, looked up briefly and nodded. "Sure, but you'll have to sit on the left side. Winter's already claimed the seat on the right."
Lucia's face lit up, and she quickly slid into the seat next to Wamika, her movements almost reverent.
Winter stopped mid step, his jaw dropping slightly. 'What is she doing?'
Luca and Marco, who had followed close behind, exchanged equally baffled looks before taking their seats behind Wamika and Winter.
As the lecture began, Winter couldn't focus. His eyes kept darting toward Lucia, who was acting... unusual. She kept stealing glances at Wamika, her cheeks turning a faint shade of pink every time Wamika spoke or moved.
"Is she... blushing?" Marco whispered from behind, nudging Luca.
Winter's temper flared. Finally, unable to contain himself, he leaned over and hissed at Lucia, "Isn't it shameless to sit here after we broke up?"
Lucia didn't flinch. Instead, she turned to him with an innocent smile. "That's why I'm sitting beside Wamika, not you."
Marco snorted, trying to hide his laughter. Luca whispered, "Bold."
Wamika, who had been listening with mild curiosity, glanced at Winter. "Is there a problem?"
Winter opened his mouth to respond but thought better of it. He leaned back in his seat, crossing his arms with a frustrated sigh.
After class, the group began walking down the hallway. Wamika was in the lead, her steps brisk and purposeful, while, Winter, Marco, and Luca trailed behind.
"What's her deal?" Winter muttered under his breath, shooting a glare at Lucia, who was following close behind Wamika lika a shadow.
"She's been glued to Ami all day," Marco said, scratching his head. "Is this her way of making you jealous or something?"
"Not working," Winter snapped.
Wamika suddenly stopped in front of the cafeteria door, causing Lucia to bump into her back. "Whoa, you okay?" Wamika asked, turning around and steadily Lucia with a firm grip on her arm.
Lucia's face turned crimson as she straightened herself. "I... I'm fine. Sorry!" she stammered before bolting down the hall like a startled rabbit.
Wamika blinked, confused by the reaction, but shrugged it off and turned to enter the cafeteria.
Behind her, the boys were frozen in shock.
"Did she just blush?" Winter asked, his voice low but incredulous.
"She did," Marco confirmed, his mouth slightly agape.
Luca leaned closer to Winter, a sly grin forming. "Looks like your ex has a crush on our best friend."
Winter scowled. "That's ridiculous."
But as he stormed off toward the cafeteria, the uneasy feeling in his chest wouldn't go away.
In cafeteria, Ami sat at a corner table, enjoying her coffee in peace. Winter, Marco, and Luca joined her soon after, but none of them could relax.
Winter tapped his fingers on the table. "Ami, do you know Lucia well?"
Wamika glanced at him over her cup. "Not really. Why?"
Winter frowned. "Because she's acting weird. Don't you think?"
"Define weird," Wamika said, raising an eyebrow.
Before Winter could respond, a familiar voice interrupted.
"Can I sit here?"
They all turned to see Lucia standing there, holding a tray of food and looking at Wamika with hopeful eyes.
Wamika sighed, setting her cup down. "Why are you following me around?"
Lucia hesitated, then said, "Because I... I want to be near you."
Winter nearly choked on his drink. "Excuse me?"
Wamika, clearly unimpressed, crossed her arms. "You do realize Winter is my best friend, right? And he's your ex?"
Lucia nodded earnestly. "I'm not bothering him. I'm not even looking at him."
Winter groaned, leaning back in his chair. "You're creeping me out."
Lucia glared at him. "Mind your own business, Winter."
Before the tension could escalate, a tall figure approached their table.
"Are you Wamika Roy?"
Wamika turned to see a guy standing there. He was tall and broad-shouldered, with a confident air that immediately drew attention, but Winter, Luca, Marco, and Lucia froze in shock.
"Yes, that's me," Wamika said, her tone neutral. "And you are?"
The guy extended a hand. "I'm Kael Carter. Coach Daniel sent me to get you." Wamika look at his hand for a while, than shook his hand polietly. "Which coach is that?"
"Hockey," Kael clarified.
"I don't play hockey," Wamika said, puzzled.
Kael nodded. "He just wants to have a word with you. That's all."
Wamika glanced at her watch. "Alright. I'll meet him after the break."
Kael gave her a brief nod and walked away.
As Wamika turned back to the table, she noticed her friend's expressions. Winter, Marco, Luca, and even Lucia were all frozen in place, their faces a mix of shock and discomfort.
"What's wrong with you guys?" Wamika asked, waving a hand in front of Winter's face.
Winter shook his head rapidly. "Nothing."
Wamika frowned but didn't press further. "Do you know him? That guy?"
"NO!" they all said at once, their voices loud enough to make nearby students glance their way.
Wamika raised an eyebrow but let it slide. "Alright. I'll go meet the coach. You guys don't have to wait for me."
"I'll wait," Winter said quickly.
Wamika smiled, reaching over his hair. "No need. I've got training later, so just go home."Winter pouted but nodded reluctantly. "Fine."
As Wamika walked off, Winter turned to Lucia, his frustration boiling over.
"Why are you clinging to her like that?" he demanded. Lucia crossed her arms, giving him a defiant look. "Mind your own business, Winter."She spun on her heel and walked away, leaving the trio sitting there like stunned statues.
Marco finally broke the silenece. "What the heck is happening?"
"I don't know," Winter muttered, glaring after Lucia. "But I don't like it."