Stole My Heart 💕

15 - Ex-Girlfriend's revenge

The campus was alive with energy, students weaving through the bustling quad, their voices blending into an indistinct hum. Candice walked with purposeful strides, her mind occupied by the mountain of assignments looming over her and the lingering thoughts of her latest lecture. She told herself she was too busy for distractions. Too focused for silly daydreams. And yet, despite her best efforts, her eyes kept betraying her.

Nick was there, sitting on a bench with his friends, his laughter carrying through the crisp afternoon air. Candice's heart clenched instinctively, but she forced herself to look away, swallowing the strange pull she felt whenever he was near. She didn't want to get caught up in the whirlwind of emotions that came with college romance—especially not with someone as effortlessly charismatic and unattainable as him.

She was almost in the clear when a voice sliced through the hum of student chatter, halting her in her tracks.

"Candice."

Lisa.

Candice slowed, a flicker of hesitation flashing through her. Lately, any interaction with Lisa carried an unspoken tension, like walking a tightrope with no safety net. Ever since Nick had rejected Lisa's attempts to rekindle their past, there had been an unspoken rift between them—one Candice had tried to avoid. Yet Lisa always found a way to pull her into the drama, no matter how much she resisted.

Lisa approached with a confident, almost lazy stride, her expression unreadable. "We need to talk."

Candice squared her shoulders. "About what?"

A slow, knowing smile curled at the edges of Lisa's lips as she leaned in slightly, her voice dropping into a conspiratorial whisper. "I know you like Nick."

Candice stiffened, a rush of heat creeping up her neck. For a moment, she considered laughing it off, but something about Lisa's tone told her this was no casual tease. Candice's gaze flickered—just for a second—toward Nick, who was still chatting with his friends, completely unaware of the conversation unfolding just a few feet away. Her pulse quickened. When she turned back to Lisa, she forced her expression into something neutral.

"I don't know what you're talking about," she said evenly.

Lisa let out a soft chuckle, tilting her head as if amused by Candice's weak attempt at denial. "Oh, Candice," she drawled, "don't be so naive. I see the way you look at him. It's almost cute, really."

Candice's stomach twisted. The last thing she wanted was for Lisa—of all people—to pick apart feelings she had barely admitted to herself. She exhaled sharply and crossed her arms. "I'm focused on my studies. I don't have time for distractions."

Lisa's smirk deepened, her amusement only growing. "Is that what you tell yourself? Because I'm telling you now—don't bother."

Candice narrowed her eyes. "And why is that?"

Lisa's gaze darkened, her voice taking on an almost pitying lilt. "Because Nick won't ever like you back."

The words landed harder than Candice expected, an unwelcome sting lodging itself in her chest. She fought to keep her expression indifferent, but doubt gnawed at the edges of her confidence. Was Lisa right? Had she misread everything?

But then something inside her rebelled. Who was Lisa to decide what Nick wanted? What he felt? Candice straightened, lifting her chin defiantly. She may not have wanted to entangle herself with Nick, but she refused to let Lisa dictate the narrative.

Her voice was steady as she met Lisa's gaze. "And who exactly do you think you are to decide how Nick feels? Stop acting like his girlfriend."

Lisa's lips curled into a smirk, but there was something dangerous in her eyes. "I'm just saving you from the inevitable heartbreak. You're not his type, Candice. He's been with girls like me, not... you."