Ice & Prejudice

Chapter 15

Ria's POV:

I felt at peace as Stacy finished painting my nails a deep burgundy, the color rich and bold against my pale skin. There was something oddly comforting about having someone else do my nails, a kind of quiet intimacy I secretly relished. It wasn't that I couldn't paint my own nails—I could, and often did—but there was a certain charm in letting Stacy do it for me. Plus, she had some gossip she was dying to share.

There was a reason I loved moments like this, moments where I could just be a girl with other girls, enjoying the small rituals that connected us. Even as someone who wasn't big on physical touch—I mean, if I could wrap myself in a cocoon of "don't touch me" vibes and hibernate, I would—I adored it when my sisters or Stacy, or even my mom when I was little and we were still close—would do my hair or help me with my makeup.

Pets were the exception, of course. Cats, dogs—any furry creature that might cuddle up to me—those didn't count. But when it came to people? Physical touch was dead last on my list of love languages. Still, when it was something like this, something gentle and unassuming, I could make an exception.

Stacy blew on my nails, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she launched into the latest drama on campus. Something about a freshman getting caught with a fake ID at The Lagoon, the local bar, and how the bouncers were getting stricter. I nodded along, letting her words wash over me, enjoying the normalcy of it all.

"Alright, done!" Stacy declared, holding up my hand to inspect her work. The color was perfect, and I had to admit, she did a damn good job.

"Thanks, Stace," I said, giving her a genuine smile.

She grinned back at me, gathering up her nail supplies. "Anytime, babe. Gotta head to class, though. Don't mess them up before they dry, okay?"

I rolled my eyes playfully. "What do you take me for, a child?"

She gave me a knowing look. "Remember the last time? You tried to open the cabinet and ruined your manicure and the cabinet. I almost cried."

I laughed. "Alright, alright. I'll be careful. Go learn something, will you?"

With a final wink, Stacy grabbed her bag and headed out the door. I watched her go, feeling that little pang of contentment that came with being surrounded by people who cared about you. But, as soon as the door clicked shut, I realized something.

I was thirsty.

And my nails were still wet.

I sighed, staring longingly at the kitchen. Stacy would kill me if I messed up my nails again along with the kitchen cabinet, especially after her little speech. I was just about to get up and risk it when there was a knock on the door.

Stacy must've forgotten something.

"Coming!" I called, carefully maneuvering around the couch to the door. I swung it open, expecting Stacy's face. Instead, I was met with the last person I thought I'd see: Nikolai Wolves, towering over me.

I haven't seen him or even heard from him since the Monday morning fiasco. It was Wednesday afternoon now.

For a second, neither of us said anything. I just stared up at him, caught off guard by his unexpected appearance.

"Uh...hi," I finally managed.

"Hey," he replied, sounding almost as awkward as I felt. But then he cleared his throat, his usual confidence slipping back into place. "I think, I owe you an apology."

That piqued my interest. "An apology?" I tilted my head, studying him. This was going to be good.

"Yeah, for...you know, being a jerk the other day," he admitted, scratching the back of his neck like it physically pained him to say it.