Third person pov :-
"What are you all planning for the college event coming up?" Kayden asked, breaking the silence on the table. Davis leaned back, casually dismissing the question. "Why? That's like a month away!"
"Dude, the preparations start soon," Kayden retorted. "And let's be real, it's the best excuse to skip classes." Ryan grinned, joining in. "We're in the music mixing and tech support team. Even Sasha's on board. Davis, you should totally join us."
Davis shook his head. "Uhm, I'm not really interested, I'd rather just have fun on the day of the fest." "What about you, Anna?" Ryan asked, turning to her. Anna shrugged. "I'm not joining anything. I'll just... sit this one out."
Kayden raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "Come on, you're both being boring. It's the college fest!" The group nodded in agreement, and Davis chimed in, nudging Anna. "Yeah, Marshall. It'll be fun. You should take part."
Anna shot him a look. "You're one to talk. You're not even participating and yet you're convincing me?" Before Davis could respond, Ashley approached, her voice light and sing-songy as she greeted them. "Hey, what's up? What are you all talking about?"
"Convincing these two to join the fest," Kayden explained, pointing at Davis and Anna. Ashley gasped mockingly. "No way! You're both not joining?" She shook her head theatrically before turning to Anna. "Well, I'm on the decoration and art team. Want to join?"
Anna's interest sparked. "That actually sounds fun." "Great!" Ashley said, beaming. Davis, to everyone's surprise, spoke up. "You know what? I'll join too." Ashley raised a skeptical eyebrow. "Dude, there are only artsy girls on the team. No boys. You'll be bored out of your mind."
"No worries. I'll issue all the art supplies you'll need, carry stuff around, and maybe help Kayden and Ryan if they need it." Ashley grinned. "Now that's cool." Kayden chuckled. As the conversation flowed into lighter banter, the air seemed to buzz with newfound excitement. The college fest was already shaping up to be an adventure.
...
The event preparations kicked off and it was like the campus had transformed. Classes became an afterthought, with most students—and even professors—absorbed in the excitement of the upcoming fest. The classrooms were almost empty.
At first only the students who were participating in some programme would be called upon but then most of them left the classes using the excuse that they were participating in the fest.
...
As Anna entered the art room, it was alive with chatter and laughter. The girls, who were supposed to be focused on decoration prep, were instead sharing stories and teasing one another. She chuckled at the sight but joined in when Ashley called her over. It was amusing how quickly the group had bonded, diving into personal stories without hesitation.
One of the girls launched into a rant. "Like girls, this guy totally leading me on. I feel like he's into me, but he says he doesn't want to commit!"
"Red flag," Ashley deadpanned, sounding like a robotic buzzer, making everyone laugh.
The conversation shifted to bad experiences with boys and soon, they turned to Anna. She hesitated but eventually shared about her past. "...And you know what that shitty dude told me while breaking up? That he lost interest in me! I mean you're telling this to me now after ghosting me for six months?"
"God forbid us from men," one girl sighed dramatically.
"For real!" Anna added with a wry smile. "I'm over it. I can't trust men anymore, I don't think I can date anyone, anymore."
At that moment, Ashley's gaze flicked behind Anna. "Oh, Davis! You brought the art supplies. Great job!" she said, impressed.
"Yeah..." Davis stretched the word, his tone unsure. He'd heard Anna's words.
...
As the girls got busy with their posters, Davis settled into a chair in the corner, watching them work. He chuckled as Anna struggled to straighten a chart paper, trying to "iron" it flat with her hand. He fiddled with his phone, but his attention kept drifting back to her.
"Hey," Ashley teased, noticing him. "I told you you'd be bored. You don't have to sit here like it's a punishment."
"Nah, I'm good," he replied.
Not long after, Kayden, Ryan and Jade showed up, clearly restless. Along with them, Sasha was there too but she was totally withdrawn.
"Guess it's packed in here," Kayden said. "How are you holding up, man? Ashley wasn't lying—it's all girls, here."
"It's almost break time. You guys want to hang?"
"The cafeteria's a madhouse, crowded as hell" Jade said.
"Then stay here. Most of them will leave soon for food or classes later."
As the crowd thinned, only the seven stayed back. "I'm kinda hungry," Anna murmured.
"I'll grab snacks," Davis offered, disappearing for a while.
When he returned, he handed out chips and cold drinks. The group groaned in mock disappointment at the simple fare. "It would take a lot of time if I ordered something guys." He explained. While munching, Ashley suddenly lit up. "Let's play Truth or Dare!"
The group groaned. "Typical," Kayden said, but Ashley spun an empty cola bottle without waiting for agreement. "Ryan," she announced as the bottle landed. "What?" He whined. "Truth or Dare?" "Truth," he said reluctantly.
"Name the girl you have a crush on in our class," Kayden teased. Ryan groaned. "No way! I'll take a dare." "Nope, you can't switch!" Ashley said. "Just give the initial okay, dude, c'mon." Jade smirked.
"Fine. The initial is... A," he muttered.
"A? Is it Alice? Abigail? Or... Ashley?" Jade pointed to Ashley, nearly blowing Ryan's secret.
"Just one question, remember the rules," Ryan huffed, though Ashley's smirk didn't go unnoticed.
The bottle spun again and landed on Sasha, she chose truth on being given the choice. Ryan asked, "You've been... kinda low lately. What's the reason?" Sasha hesitated, her eyes darting around the circle as if weighing her options. Finally, her intense gaze landed on Davis—just for a fraction of a second, but long enough to be noticeable.
"Yeah..." she began, exhaling deeply. "Actually, I kinda got used as a rebound recently." The air grew thick with curiosity and awkwardness. "Whoa. What? Seriously?" Kayden asked, breaking the silence. The tension lingered as Ashley quickly grabbed the bottle and spun it again. "Okay, next turn!" she said in an overly cheerful tone, trying to lighten the mood.
As the game continued, Anna couldn't help but glance at Davis out of the corner of her eye.
After a series of lame dares, and truths that almost threatened to reveal their secrets, when the bottle finally landed on Anna, she chose "Truth."
"Someone you'd go on a date with, in our college?" Ashley asked.
Anna rolled her eyes. "Why is it always the same question? Are we in middle school? Seriously!"
"Relax, it's just a game," Ashley said, laughing. "Well, no," Anna said firmly. "I like no one. I don't want to date anyone. I'm good—single and alone."
The tension in the air was palpable, and Davis, sensing it, jumped in. "Let's go grab some real food, outside," he said, breaking the silence.
The group quickly agreed, leaving the game behind as they headed out, though they couldn't shake the tension that lingered in the air.
YOU ARE READING
Invisible String.
Romansa"She built a fortress around her shattered heart, each stone laid with ache of love lost. But someone knew her before the walls were raised, he knew her far beyond than anyone else. Even though, she always kept him at arm's length, he danced with h...
