Justin sat across from Melanie, sipping his cold drink lazily. The cafeteria was semi-busy, but they'd picked a quiet corner , the kind of spot that didn't attract too much attention. Melanie was smiling, talking about how boring her lecturer had been earlier. Justin laughed occasionally, but he wasn't fully focused.
His phone buzzed.
He picked it up and squinted at the screen: Chloe.
"Where are you?" she texted.
He hesitated a second before replying:
"Sugar & Brew, with a friend."
Seconds later, Chloe replied:
"Okay, I'm coming."
A few minutes passed. Then the cafeteria door swung open.
It was Chloe.
She walked in like she owned the place. Her hair was tied up in a sleek bun, lashes done, lip gloss popping , and that attitude? Loud. She didn't scan the cafeteria; she scanned for him.
Her eyes landed on Justin. Then they shifted to Melanie.
Melanie's face remained blank, but inside she was already boiling. *
Chloe scoffed loudly and turned right back around.
She didn't walk out quietly, she hissed again, on purpose, loud enough for them to hear.
Justin instantly stood up. Melanie blinked. "Wait, are you going after her?"
He didn't respond.
He ran out.
Outside the cafeteria
Justin caught up with Chloe near the parking area.
"Chloe, what's this about now?"
She turned sharply. "What's this about? You tell me! What are you doing with that bastard Melanie?"
"She's not a bastard, come on"
"Oh, shut up, Justin! That girl humiliated me with her friends, dragged my name in the mud, and now you're hanging out with her like she's your peace?"
Justin groaned. "It's not that deep. We're just friends."
Chloe narrowed her eyes. "Friends? That's what you said before we—" she paused, voice trembling. "You think that was nothing? That night? The sex?"
Justin looked away. "You pushed for that, Chloe. You kissed me. You made the move. I wasn't even in the right headspace"
Chloe looked like she'd been slapped.
"So you're saying I forced you? Are you serious right now?"
Justin stepped back. "I'm not saying that. I'm just saying... it was a mistake."
Chloe scoffed, heartbroken and angry. "You're a coward, Justin."
She stormed off. Seconds later, her car sped out of the lot.
Back in the cafeteria
Justin returned, face tired. Melanie didn't ask questions.
She just looked at him and said, "She's gone?"
He nodded, sat back down.
"Sorry about all that,"he said.
Melanie sipped her drink. "It's fine. I expected drama from that one.So, what exactly is going on between you and Chloe?" she asked, her voice calm but laced with suspicion.
Justin rubbed his forehead, clearly irritated and drained from the chaos.
"Nothing," he replied, shaking his head. "We're just… friends. It was never anything serious."
Melanie scoffed. "Friends?" she echoed. "Because that girl didn't just act like someone who's 'just a friend', Justin. She looked like someone who's been promised something."
Justin sighed. "Melanie, I swear. Yeah, we got close for a bit… she helped when things with Bella ended, but I never saw her that way. Whatever happened, I didn't mean for it to get messy."
Melanie nodded slowly, but her face didn't relax.
"Good. Because I don't do drama, Justin. I'm not about to be dragged into some messy triangle just because you don't know how to set boundaries."
Justin held her gaze. "Melanie, I wouldn't do that to you. I'm not leading her on. Whatever she's feeling, it's not mutual."
Melanie exhaled and finally sat back down, clearly still processing, but willing to let it go for now.
"Cool," she said.
As the tension slowly dissolved between them, Melanie stood up, brushing off the imaginary dust from her jeans, her voice lighter now.
"So... library?"she asked, half-teasing.
Justin chuckled. "Yeah, let's go. I need to pretend like I care about this exam at least."
Melanie laughed, the earlier heat between them fading into something more casual. "Pretend? I've actually been reading, you know. You should too , unless you're planning on repeating this semester."
"God forbid," Justin muttered, slinging his bag over his shoulder. "Let's go, genius."
They both walked out of Sugar & Brew side by side. The evening breeze was soft and cool as they headed across campus toward the main library building. Students lingered around, some in groups laughing, others buried in textbooks under shaded trees.
As they walked, they talked more about classes, their most annoying lecturers, and how chaotic the exam timetable was looking. Justin cracked jokes here and there, and Melanie, though still a little cautious, found herself enjoying his company.
By the time they reached the library steps, the vibe between them had completely shifted , calmer, more focused.
"You're not gonna distract me inside, are you?" Melanie asked with a raised brow.
Justin smirked. "No, promises."
They both laughed again before entering the quiet building, books in hand, both unaware of how the complicated web between them and others was still far from untangling.
****
The evening air still lingered on Bella's skin as she stepped out of her car, the soft humming of the engine fading behind her. She had barely locked the car when the apartment gate creaked open, Kathy was already there, grinning from ear to ear, her arms wide open.
"Babyyyy, welcome back!" Kathy squealed.
Bella laughed, wrapping her in a tight hug. "I missed you!"
"You didn't miss me half as much as I missed you," Kathy teased, pulling her inside.
Once they stepped into the apartment, Bella's whole body relaxed. She leaned against the door, heart still fluttering from everything that had just happened. Kathy watched her, eyebrows raised.
"Okay," Kathy said, crossing her arms with a dramatic smirk. "Spill. How did it go?"
Bella pressed a hand to her chest, giggling. "It was perfect, Kathy. Like, actually perfect. He asked me to be his girlfriend."
"Wait, WHAT?!" Kathy screamed, grabbing Bella's hands. "Shut up. SHUT UP. You're serious?!"
"I'm serious!" Bella squealed. "He said he'd never felt this way about anyone. Kathy, it was… it felt real."
Kathy tackled her onto the couch in a hug. "Oh my God. You're officially a girlfriend now! Look at you glowing! Austin better know he bagged the queen."
They both laughed, feet up, joy bubbling between them.
"And the place?" Kathy asked. "Where did he take you?"
Bella smiled, dreamy-eyed. "A garden. The prettiest place I've seen. Flowers everywhere. He already had a table set, food ready. Then he looked at me and just... said it. That he loved me, that he wanted us."
"Austin is so intentional. And that kiss? Don't lie to me, did you kiss?"
Bella blushed and covered her face. "It was… intense."
Kathy screamed again, grabbing a throw pillow and hitting her. "AHHH! I knew it! Girl, this is it!"
They both burst into laughter again. Bella held her chest, heart still racing. "I swear, for once in a long time, I feel seen. Like he actually wants me. Not for clout, or show. Just me."
"You see why I said to leave that bastard Justin in the past?" Kathy said, rolling her eyes. "Austin is a whole upgrade. Justin didn't even know what he wanted."
Bella's smile faltered for a second. "Please, let's not talk about Justin. He's the past now."
Kathy nodded, reaching to hold her hand. "You're right. He is. And I'm proud of you. You let go. You healed."
Bella gave her a soft, thankful smile. "I'm trying. And Austin… makes it easier."
The night rolled on with late-night snacks, soft music in the background, and the giddy joy of two girls celebrating new beginnings.