In Love: Against All Odds

The Universe is Playing with Me

Invisible String – Taylor Swift 🌿
"Isn't it just so pretty to think
All along there was some invisible string
Tying you to me?"

----

The second the bell rang, Patrick and I jumped apart like we had been caught committing an actual crime.

So much for a peaceful moment.

The classroom door creaked open, and out stepped Mrs. Page, aka the professor who had absolutely no patience for nonsense. The moment her eyes landed on us, her lips pressed into a thin, unimpressed line. Yep. She had been waiting for this.

"If you two misbehave again, you'll both be severely punished next time," she warned, her voice sharp enough to slice through my already fragile ego.

My cheeks burned with embarrassment.

But Patrick? Oh no. Mr. Zero Shame just shrugged, flashing his signature I-don't-care grin like this was all some big joke.

He leaned in slightly, voice low enough for only me to hear. "Guess I'll have to behave... or maybe not."

I smacked his arm, barely holding back a laugh.

"Get lost, Pennington," I teased, trying to act like my face wasn't currently matching a tomato.

He just winked. WINKED.

"Catch ya later, Kat," Patrick said, his eyes lingering on mine for a second too long before he turned and strolled off like he had all the time in the world. His footsteps were light, almost like he was floating—completely unaffected by the chaos he left behind.

The second he disappeared down the hall, I felt the stares.

Like, actual lasers boring into the side of my head.

I turned slowly, already knowing exactly what I was about to face.

Alista, Brailey, and Vinita.

Standing there, arms crossed, smirking like they had just walked in on something scandalous.

Oh God. Here we go.

-----

We made our way to our bench under the big tree—the sacred spot for lunch, life updates, and the occasional roast session.

Except today, I was the one on the grill.

We had barely sat down before Alista pounced.

"So, what happened with Patrick, huh?" she asked, elbowing me with a smirk that screamed mischief.

I played it cool. Shrugged like I hadn't just gotten caught having a moment with Patrick freaking Pennington.

"We were just talking about class. Nothing special."

Brailey immediately snorted, nearly choking on her drink.

"GIRL, do you even hear yourself? Patrick's got a crush on you!" she announced like she had just uncovered the biggest secret of the century.

Vinita gasped dramatically. Alista's smirk widened.

And me?

Oh, I died inside.

"What?! No way!" I stammered, way too aggressively to be convincing.

Alista leaned in, her eyes twinkling with pure, unfiltered chaos. "Oh, come on. After hearing about your breakup with Bradwin, I bet he thought this was his moment to swoop in. That's why he had that whole fight with Mrs. Page on purpose and came out just to talk to you. He was worried, Kat."