The sun was already shining through the blinds when Austin rolled over on the couch, grabbing his phone. No lectures today. He stretched and yawned before heading to the kitchen, shirtless and in sweats. It was one of those rare, lazy mornings.
Meanwhile, Justin was already dressed, keys in hand, slinging his backpack over his shoulder. He checked his phone, no new messages from Bella yet, but he smiled at their last conversation the night before.
"You sure you're not coming with me?" Justin asked as he adjusted his watch.
Austin shook his head while munching cereal. "Nah, no class today. I'm chilling. Good luck, though."
Justin grinned. "You sure you're not skipping?"
"Swear down, bro. Free day."
Justin nodded. "Alright. I'm seeing Bella after class so i might return late."
He left the apartment, stepped into his car, and drove toward Lifetime University, music playing low. His mind drifted to Bella. He shook his head and smirked. Focus on class, Justin. Focus.
As he parked near his department building and stepped out, his thoughts were interrupted when he suddenly bumped into someone near the stairway.
"Sorry!" the person said, stepping back with a small gasp.
It was Chloe.
"Hey, Chloe," he said casually, offering a small smile.
"Justin! Hi," she replied, flashing a smile of her own. "Where's Jonathan? Haven't seen him."
"He doesn't have any classes today," Justin replied, moving slightly to the side so others could pass.
"Oh, lucky him. Well… do you mind hanging out at coco cafe later?" she asked, brushing her curly hair behind one ear. "You know, after class?"
Justin hesitated for a second. "I've got a class now… but sure, I'll text you after."
Chloe smiled brightly. "I'll be waiting then. Have fun."
Justin nodded and continued toward the lecture hall.
As he stepped in, the usual reaction followed hushed whispers, wide eyes, giggles, and a few girls nudging each other. His name was on the radar, and the attention felt like second nature now.
He greeted a few friends and slid into a seat.
"Bro, you just walk in like a movie star," one guy said.
"Have you seen the group chats? Your name is everywhere," a girl added, laughing.
Justin just smiled and waved. "You all exaggerate too much."
They joked, shared memes, and teased each other until the lecturer walked in. The energy shifted. Notebooks opened, whispers stopped.
About an hour in, Justin quietly brought out his phone under the desk and typed
Justin:
Angel eyes, how's your day going? I miss you.
He hit send, smiling slightly.
Bella (a few minutes later):
You're texting me in class? Should I report you?
Justin
Do it. I'll charm my way out.
Bella
Lol. My day's okay. I miss you too. Are we still meeting up later? I have some serious gist for you.
Justin
Sure we are, and now I'm curious. Can't wait to see you.
Bella
Same. Don't be late, Mr. Popular.
Justin
Wouldn't dream of it.
Justin tucked the phone back into his pocket, trying to focus, but his smile lingered. Bella always had that effect on him.
As soon as class ended, he was out the door, his heart racing, not because of the flirty texts or the attention in class, but because he genuinely couldn't wait to see her.
Justin walked into Coco Cafeteria first, picking out a spot by the window. The light was soft, warm, shaded by vine‑covered branches outside. He sipped on his coffee, tapped his fingers on the table, anticipating Bella's arrival.
A few minutes later, Bella entered, taking in the space before spotting him. She looked beautiful, fresh, calm. Justin stood, a smile lighting up his face, and hugged her gently. She smiled back, her eyes bright.
"Hi," he said, voice happy. "How was class today?"
Bella put down her bag, smoothing her hair. "Long, but okay. Yours?"
"Survived," Justin laughed. "Some group work, presentations. You know how lecturers are."
They ordered drinks. Bella picked a strawberry smoothie and Justin a cappuccino. They settled in, laughing quietly. Their conversation drifted, comfortable, like two old friends catching up instead of two nervous people.
Bella leaned in. "I have some gist," she said, tone mixing amusement and frustration. "Those mean girls,Melanie, Rina, Talia, they did something crazy again."
Justin raised an eyebrow. "What happened this time?"
Bella explained. She told him how, earlier today, they had gone to the restaurant and watched the waiter being slapped by Melanie because of a small mistake. How Melanie blocked Kathy's entrance into her class and made rude remarks about their car, their clothes, how one of the "goons" laughed and whispered mockingly. Bella had to defend Kathy. The drama played out like a small scene from a movie.
Justin frowned. He didn't like how the mean girls were always pushing. "They behave like they're untouchable," he said. "Do you think maybe they're jealous?"
Bella shrugged. "I don't know. But it hurts that they feel they can just do that in front of everybody."
He reached out, touched her hand. "You handled it well. I'm proud of you."
They talked more, about small things: assignments, lectures, how the campus had been buzzing since their dance got more attention, how people stared more when Bella passed by. Laughter came easy between them now.
Then Justin's phone buzzed. He glanced at it. A message from Chloe.
Bella saw the screen light up and caught a glimpse of "Chloe: Hey, we still seeing?" Her heart clenched. She tried to keep her face calm.
Justin looked up. "Uh, it's just Chloe. She asked if I'm free later."
Bella's stomach twisted. She forced a smile. "Okay."
Justin smiled back, sensing something off. "It's nothing serious. Just friends."
Bella nodded, but couldn't help the small pang of jealousy that twisted in her chest. She tried to focus back on his words, on the way his eyes softened when he looked at her, on the way he laughed at her jokes.
They cleaned up their table, paid, and walked out together. They parted ways soon after, Justin to his next class, Bella to home.
Back at Bella's apartment, Kathy greeted her at the door. "How did it go?" she asked, noticing Bella's quieter mood.
Bella sank onto the couch. "It's fine." She paused, took a breath. "I saw a text from Chloe on Justin's phone. Just that. He said it was something small, but…"
Kathy sat beside Bella. "It's okay. He told you. That's important."
Bella looked up. "I know… but I couldn't help feeling jealous."
Kathy nodded. "It makes sense. Especially given all that happened today with Melanie and her crew. You deserve someone who isn't making you question things."
Bella leaned her head back. Then her phone buzzed, Justin's message:
Justin:
Hey, hope you're calm. Chloe's nothing, just a friend. I don't want us having misunderstandings.
Bella read it, sighing. Even though her heart still stung a little, she felt relief, too.She typed back, "Thanks for saying this"
Kathy smiled at her "See? Communication helps."
"You like him," Kathy finished. "And that's okay. But until you both say it out loud, until you both decide what you are, you can't let stuff like this eat you up."
Bella frowned. "Still sucks."
"I know," Kathy said, softening. "But don't let one text ruin what you two have going. If he really likes you, he'll show you. Just… be real with him too."
Bella nodded slowly. "Thanks."
Kathy grinned. "Now stop sulking. Want ice cream or are we crying tonight?"
Bella laughed. "Definitely ice cream."
The night seemed softer, less tense now.Bella let herself relax a little, leaning on Kathy. The night seemed softer, lesstense now.Bella let herself relax a little, leaning on Kathy.
***
Justin stepped into the apartment, letting the door close softly behind him. The quiet hum of the evening surrounded him as he dropped his bag on the couch and kicked off his shoes. John was in the kitchen, pouring cereal into a bowl , his usual late snack routine.
"Hey," Justin called out.
John glanced up. "Yo. You're back."
Justin exhaled, running a hand through his hair as he leaned on the counter. "Yeah. Met Bella. It was cool… until something awkward happened."
John raised a brow, spoon halfway to his mouth. "Let me guess, girl drama?"
Justin nodded slowly. "Kind of. We were talking, laughing… it was actually really nice. She looked good too, like… she always does." He paused. "But then, while we were talking, I got a text."
"From who?"
"Chloe," Justin said flatly.
John gave him a look. "And Bella saw it?"
Justin nodded. "Yeah. I think she saw the name on my screen. Her face shifted. She didn't say anything, but I could tell. It was like disappointment, or maybe even jealousy… I don't know."
John sighed. "You didn't explain?"
"I tried. Told her it wasn't a big deal, Chloe just wanted to meet after class. But still… it changed the vibe. She smiled it off, but I could tell her mind was elsewhere."
John leaned back on the counter. "Man, you need to be careful. You're in deep with this girl, and now Chloe's name is popping up in your convos. It'll mess with her head."
"I know," Justin muttered. "I texted her when I got home. Tried to explain again. I just hope she believes me."
"Do you like Chloe?"
Justin shook his head. "Nah. It's Bella I care about. Chloe's just… around."
John gave a nod. "Then you need to make that clear to both of them."
Justin leaned back, silent for a moment. "I don't want to ruin this, bro. With Bella, it feels different."
John offered a small smirk. "Then don't ruin it."