WOULD YOU RESCUE ME?

8.Entanglements and Escapes

The air between Vanessa and Astra crackled with an intense charge, their breaths mingling in the tight space of the bathroom. Astra's hands clung to Vanessa's back as if she might disappear, while Vanessa's lips hovered dangerously close to Astra's collarbone, tasting the warmth of her skin. But just as they began to lose themselves in each other again, Astra's phone buzzed, cutting through the charged silence like a knife.It was Nico again.

Vanessa froze, her hands still tangled in Astra's shirt. She closed her eyes for a moment, drawing in a deep breath as she tried to steady herself, then pulled back, her lips brushing against Astra's ear as she whispered, "You should pick that up."
Astra looked at Vanessa, uncertainty and longing mixing in her gaze. But she nodded, her expression torn, and she reluctantly pulled out her phone. Vanessa stepped back, giving her space, though her eyes never left Astra's face. It was impossible to ignore the way Vanessa's gaze traced every line and curve, making Astra feel like she was still being touched, even as she answered the call.

"Hey, Nico... Yeah, I know, I'm late. Just give me... give me five more minutes, okay? I'll be there soon, promise," Astra said, trying to keep her voice steady even as she felt Vanessa's eyes on her like a physical weight. She forced herself to focus on the call, but her thoughts kept drifting back to the girl standing just inches away.Vanessa didn't even bother hiding her stare, letting her eyes sweep over Astra's face, her neck, the tousled hair that fell over her eyes. There was a certain hunger in the way she watched, a kind of raw curiosity that sent a thrill through Astra even as she tried to concentrate on the conversation. And as she spoke to Nico, she couldn't help but feel a pang of regret—regret that this moment, whatever it was, had been interrupted.Finally, Astra ended the call, shoving her phone back into her pocket. She met Vanessa's gaze, her breath still a little unsteady. Vanessa's expression had shifted, a hint of something resigned settling into her features. "It's probably for the best if we both go our own ways, at least for today," Vanessa said, her voice low, almost reluctant. She didn't wanted Astra to go, but she also knew how much Astra cared for Nico and maybe it was better like this. Astra hesitated, wanting to argue, wanting to stay, but she knew she couldn't just ditch Nico again. She nodded, though the disappointment was clear in her eyes. But before she turned to leave, she caught Vanessa's hand gently, squeezing it for just a moment. "If you want to see me again... you have my number, okay?" Her voice softened, a quiet hope lingering beneath her words. This wasn't just about the physical pull between them; she wanted to know more about the girl standing before her.

Vanessa swallowed hard, giving a small nod, and let go of Astra's hand. She watched as Astra left the bathroom, the door swinging shut behind her. Vanessa lingered for a moment longer, leaning back against the cool tiles, trying to collect her scattered thoughts. A part of her ached to chase after Astra, but the fear and uncertainty held her back.

She stepped out of the bathroom a minute later, her mind still tangled in the memory of Astra's touch, the warmth of her lips. But the moment she re-entered the bustling hallway, reality crashed back in, bringing with it the noise of campus life. As she turned a corner, she nearly bumped into Jack.The tall, dark-haired boy raised an eyebrow, flashing her a grin that was somewhere between amused and intrigued. "Hey, Vanessa. Heard a little story about why you got kicked out of your last uni. Some people really like to gossip, you know?" His ice-blue eyes glinted with curiosity.Vanessa smirked, shrugging off the tension that had wrapped around her just moments ago. "Yeah, well, I guess I've always been one to make an impression. Can't help it if people find me... memorable." She let her voice take on a teasing edge, her smirk widening as she saw Jack catch the hint.Jack chuckled, leaning in a little closer, the playful spark in his eyes clear. "You're definitely the talk of the town. And apparently, some people think we've got a little story of our own going on," he said, his tone flirtatious. He wasn't exactly subtle, and he didn't seem interested in pretending otherwise.Vanessa tilted her head, meeting his gaze. She held his eyes for a long moment, taking in the way his smirk softened around the edges, the way he seemed to lean toward her like he couldn't quite help it. It wasn't the same intensity she felt with Astra, but there was something comforting about it, a kind of distraction that she desperately needed. Without overthinking it, she reached out, pulling him down into a kiss.