FIRE & ICE, james beaufort

ii. oh, poor ophelia

TWO

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"everything i know brings me back to us."

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NIA SALAZAR'S HEART had been broken at least twice in her eighteen years of living. At the age of nine, she learned to keep her heart intact by blocking out anything to do with Renee Salazar. Her father had made it easy. Any trace left of her mother, her father had made sure to eliminate after the woman had left her child and husband for another man.

That had been the first time her heart had been broken.

The second time it had been broken was when she had gotten involved with the Beauforts. She should've known better.

Now, she definitely knew better.

Nia rubbed her temple as she observed the lab work in front of her. Biology had always been her best science, but Chemistry was definitely something she knew she'd have to study for. Even she knew she would have to put her pride aside and admit this.

Nia sat at her usual spot in the cozy corner of Maxton Hall's library, her chemistry textbook open in front of her. The content looked a bit foreign to her but she wasn't about to let that stump her. Her brow furrowed in concentration as she worked through the equations, trying to make sense of the intricacies of chemical reactions.

Just as she was about to solve for the unknown variable, the peaceful atmosphere of the library was shattered by the arrival of Ruby. She plopped down in the chair opposite of Nia, setting her book bags down and her infamous planner.

Nia eyed the planner and a small smile played on her lips. Ruby was always scribbling away in that planner that held her plans, her checklists, and goals. She once tried peeking into it but Ruby was adamant that her privacy be respected.

But Nia really knew it was because Ruby didn't want for Nia to get a glimpse into her studying tricks and tips. After all, in addition to being friends, they were also academic rivals.

And Nia was about to tease her friend about it when she noticed the expression on Ruby's face. Ruby looked appalled, almost in shock.

Nia tapped her friend on the hand. "Hey, you okay?"

Still there was no response and Nia snapped her fingers in front of Ruby. That seemed to break Ruby's trance because she flinched and looked dazed for a split second before collecting her bearings. "I'm sorry, what did you say?"

"I asked if everything was okay. You look like you've seen Mr. Bentington's crack."

Ruby shook her head. "I wished I had."

Nia laughed but quieted down immediately when she noticed the tension in Ruby's posture. "Are you sure you're okay?"

"I'm fine."

Lie. Nia thought. She knew when her friend was lying. Her nose would crinkle just a tiny bit around the corners. And crinkling it was.

"I call bluff. So spill, what's going on?." Nia folded her arms and leaned back in her seat, settling a look on Ruby.

Ruby let out an irritated huff. "Nothing. Like I said I'm fine."