I hurried across the campus, Christian on my mind, hoping I hadn't ruined the day. "Karla, it's still lunchtime," I reassured myself. Sitting with Liam hadn't taken that long. Maybe Christian wouldn't be upset.
Lost in thought, I rounded a corner and bumped into Hallie and Lucy deep in conversation.
"What are you two plotting without me? Am I still your friend or what?" I teased, sneaking up behind them.
Their startled expressions quickly shifted into laughter. "Of course, K!" Lucy chuckled. "I actually came by your room earlier, but you were out. Then Hallie told me you were with Liam."
Oh, great. So Hallie knew where I was. That meant she knew about Liam's little confession, too. I groaned inwardly, wondering what excuse my brother had given her to justify dragging me along.
"Did he tell you about Marcus?" Hallie asked casually, as if it were a normal question.
I nearly choked. Hallie knew about Marcus too? How long had they been keeping this from me? Now I was starting to feel like a fool, like my whole life had been one big secret.
"Yeah, I know everything now. But honestly, I'm not sure what to do with it," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.
"Wait, what? Am I missing something?" Lucy asked, looking between us in confusion.
I sighed heavily. But before I could delve into the messy details, my brain jolted with a reminder—Christian! Damn it!
"I'll fill you in later, Lucy. Hallie, catch her up. I've got to meet Christian. See you both later!"
With that, I sprinted toward the gazebo near the dorms, spotting Christian already waiting. My stomach twisted. I flung my backpack onto the table and collapsed beside it, resting my head on my arms.
"Sorry I'm late," I muttered, feeling disheveled and mentally drained.
Christian glanced at me with a half-smile. "I thought you forgot all about me." His tone was light, but something in his eyes hinted at disappointment.
I glanced at him properly for the first time, realizing he was wearing glasses—glasses that made him look like a blonde Harry Potter. I couldn't help but smile.
"Well, I'm here now," I said, gesturing to myself. "Sorry for... this." I waved a hand over my tangled hair and wrinkled clothes.
"It's okay. It was a rough night for everyone," he replied, his voice gentle but loaded with meaning.
I knew I wasn't much help with the project. I'd been too distracted in Mr. Coleman's class to even realize we had one. But Christian, the class nerd, had probably absorbed every word.
"So... how can I help?" I asked, trying to focus on something that wasn't the chaos of my life.
A mischievous glint appeared in his eyes. "Actually... I've already finished it," he admitted, his voice casual but the look on his face saying otherwise.
"What?!" I exclaimed, sitting upright. "You lied just to hang out with me?"
He shrugged, still grinning. "I also needed someone to present with, so... two birds, one stone."
I punched him lightly on the arm, laughing. "You are unbelievable, Christian Fox."
He laughed along with me, opening his laptop as if to reinforce his harmless lie. The audacity! I had been completely fooled. His slyness didn't go unnoticed, either. He truly lived up to his last name—like a cunning little fox.
"So... am I free to go now?" I asked playfully, but my attention drifted as Marcus walked by. His shirt lifted slightly, just enough to reveal a hint of those abs.
YOU ARE READING
Is it love?
Romance'If someone had told me three years ago that I would find myself drawn to Marcus, I might have reluctantly agreed. But if they had suggested that he might actually be interested in me? I would have laughed in their face.' 'Oh, sweet, naïve Karla-if...
