Enchanted University of Magemenos

Chapter 60:Familiar encounter

As Keth approaches, his eyes locked onto my forehead with a look that could probably melt steel.

I try to greet him cheerfully, "Oh hi Keee—"

Before I can finish, Keth's finger presses hard against my forehead, shoving me away from Nathan.

Keth squints at me, his expression a mix of confusion and disbelief. "Who is this child? She doesn't look like your daughter," he says, as if he's just spotted an alien in the middle of a shopping mall.

I blink at him, stunned. "Child? You dumb-headed mad dog!" I want to shout, but instead, I manage a bewildered look. It's like he's just handed me the world's worst insult wrapped in a riddle.

"I am not a child, I'm 19!" I retort, my voice carrying a mix of irritation and pride.

Keth's smirk widens. "You've got the talent of getting a free kid's meal at McDonald's because of your height," he quips, eyes twinkling with mischief.

I glare at him, feeling like I'm in the middle of a playground insult battle.

"Well, I at least have a talent," I snap back, my frustration bubbling over. "You just have a knack for talking nonsense, like a broken record that only plays complaints."

Keith's eyes widen in disbelief. "How could she—"

A girl nearby gasps, clearly taken aback by my audacity. The other girls start whispering among themselves, casting wary glances in my direction. I can almost hear them thinking, "If she keeps this up, they might have to drag her into a lion's den just to keep her quiet!"

"Who are you? Why do you bother speaking between us?" Keith asks me, clearly irritated.

Wait, do Nathan and Kate know each other? Given that they've been in Peculous for the same amount of time, they must have crossed paths and become friends. It makes sense—they have similar psych profiles and their beauty matches in a way that seems almost destined.

"Now don't pretend like you don't know me," I say.

"Come behind! Didn't your parents teach you not to talk to strangers?" Nathan retorts.

"Overprotective boyfriend, much?" Keith adds with a smirk. "Or is this just your way of auditioning for 'World's Most Dramatic Entrance'?"

All the girls are staring at me like they're about to unleash some drama I'm not prepared for. I give them a 'no' sign, my eyes wide with the hope they'll take the hint.

"We are not—" I start to explain, but Nathan cuts me off with a sharp edge to his voice.

"Why do you care? Mind your business unless you want a handful," he snaps, clenching his fists as if he's ready to defend his honor with a side of extra intimidation.

I have never seen Nathan so angry. Then again, I've never seen him smile either, but this is new.

Nathan grabs my head with his hand and pulls me forward like I'm some kind of Barbie doll. I stumble, caught between annoyance and surprise.

"Guys, we're in a game of life or death, not some movie playing our roles!" I shout, half-exasperated, half-amused.

Nathan doesn't break stride or loosen his grip, his eyes still focused ahead. Keith snickers behind us. "Yeah, well, if this were a movie, you'd definitely be the comic relief."

"Comic relief?!" I glare back at Keith. "I'd like to see you try being funny when you're being dragged like a rag doll."

Nathan huffs, " Shut up. This isn't a joke."

Keith chuckles, "Oh, Mr. Serious has spoken. Should we all start dramatically monologuing now, or...?"

I can't help but laugh. For a life-or-death game, this is turning into a weird sitcom.

The girls are staring at me as if they might actually eat me alive. I quickly sign them a 'no' with my hands.

"Are they dating? How dare she date my Nathan!" a girl says, glaring at me with an infuriating gleam in her eyes.

"Wait," I say, quickly letting go of Nathan's hand and turning around.

"Don't go," Nathan mutters, his tone suddenly tense.

"Huh? Just... one second," I reply, confused, but still running towards Keith.

"You dumb, show me your card!" I demand, stopping right in front of Keith, who looks both surprised and amused by my sudden outburst.

"What did you call me? How dare—" Keith starts, but I quickly slap my hand over his mouth.

"Shhh!" I hiss, snatching his card from his grip. "Read the name out loud," I demand, pointing at the card.

"Alysa," he mumbles, his voice muffled against my palm.

Great. Just great. In front of Nathan, too. I thought this guy had come looking for me, but he doesn't even remember me after that one freaking long game we played.

"That's me," I say, rolling my eyes.

"Seeing you this close, you kinda look familiar," Keith says, bending down until his face is just inches from mine. His nose brushes against mine

Up close, I realize he's actually a pretty good competition for Nathan — I mean, he's so annoyingly good-looking.

"Did he just kiss her?" someone whispers in the crowd.

"No way, she's definitely not his type," another voice replies.

Nathan's eyes are practically burning with anger. Before he can step forward and do something unpredictable, I shove Keith's face back with my fists, shouting, "Freak!"

"Ouch, ouch! What is my face, a ball?" Keith mutters, brushing his hair back as if I just smacked him with a brick.

"Oh, now I remember! You're that dumb girl who was the eyes from the game earlier ," he adds with a smirk.