GEMINI.
To say I was anxious in the days following that fateful encounter with the Moore twins would be an understatement. My heart would skitter at every unexpected sound, and I constantly found myself glancing over my shoulder, half-expecting to see them, him looming behind me everywhere I went on campus. I didn't know if I would cross paths with Percy in a hallway or while grabbing coffee, and the uncertainty gnawed at my nerves like a persistent itch.
But then the weekend came, and to my unexpected relief, I didn't see or hear from them. Maybe everything that happened that day was all there is to it? The thought felt comforting, allowing me to finally relax in my dorm room, letting the memory of that strange encounter drift away like leaves on a gentle breeze.
St. Moore university is a sprawling labyrinth, filled with thousands of students, each with their own stories, major and lives. Percy is a third-year student while I'm still a lost first-year, and in so many ways, we were from different worlds. "We definitely have nothing in common," I assured myself, the words echoing in my mind. The idea of never seeing him again felt like a weight lifting off my chest.
Thank goodness each of the dorm rooms are assigned to a student. The thought of anyone else having the front seat to my mental freakouts during the weekend would have been unbearable.
Today is Monday, a new week, stretching my tense muscles after a long night, I silently vowed to leave the strange happenings of last week firmly in the rearview mirror.
"Today's a fresh start, no more spacing out." I whispered to myself, determination weaving through my thoughts like a silver thread.
To kick off this new beginning, I made my way into the bathroom to brush my teeth, humming a half-remembered tune, when suddenly, loud banging jolted me back to reality.
"Ohio is here already? That girl never remembers my passcode!" I thought shaking my head with a smile as I spat the toothpaste into the sink. I rolled my eyes when I heard the sound of continues banging as I padded toward the door.
She's so impatient!
My best friend somehow knows the names, age and every K-Pop idol including their songs and yet she conveniently forgets the six number passcode I've told her about a hundred times—make it make sense!
"Ohio, don't tell me you've forgotten my passcode, again!" I called out, fumbling to pull a polo over my head, my voice muffled.
But the silence that followed felt off. Huh? I halted for a moment, a flicker of unease threading through me. I finally swung the door open, and instead of Ohio, I found Mark—a flatmate from down the hall—standing there, an odd expression plastered across his face.
"Oh, hi Mark! I thought you were Ohio. She tends to forget my passcode easily. What brings you here?" I ventured, forcing a smile despite the odd tension in the air.
Mark gulped, his eyes darting nervously while leaning in as if sharing a dark secret.
"What the heck did you do?" he whispered, his tone laced with a mix of concern and fear.
"Huh? What did you say?" I stepped closer, perplexed, trying to read his panic-stricken face. Just then, I caught a glimpse of him—Percy!
He's standing comfortably in the corner, a looming figure with both hands shoved deep in his pockets, each line of his posture radiating the intimidating presence I remember all too well.
Mark glanced quickly at Percy and gulped again, looking ready to flee.
"Who is Ohio, and why does she know the passcode to your dorm room?"
Percy's voice pierced the air, cool yet demanding, making my heart race.
"Oh no…" I thought, fingers trembling slightly. My brain raced, unable to process how he had found me, the memory of our last encounter flooding back like a wave crashing to shore. Mark practically bolted the instant Percy glared at him, bolting down the hallway as if his life depended on it.
"Oh my gosh, what's happening?" My thoughts spiraled.
Percy strolled past me into my dorm room and then stretched out his right arm toward me, his green eyes locking onto mine.
"Phone!" he commanded, and I stood frozen, gaping at him like a fish out of water. The intensity of his gaze felt palpable, electrifying the space between us.
"Wait, what?" I stammered and before I could utter another word, Percy raised his brows, conveying clear annoyance, prompting me to fumble desperately with my pockets.
Why is this happening to me?
Finally, I passed him the device, feeling as if I were handing him my very soul.
"Boy, he's scary!" I couldn't help but think, a chill running down my spine as he inspected my phone like it was some ancient artifact.
"Your phone is an antique." he muttered under his breath, and I bit my lip, my cheeks burning up. I don't even know how to respond to that.
His fingers flew across the screen, and I heard the sound of a phone ringing—a melodious note that made my beating heart slightly relax against my ribcage. He handed my phone back to me, his gaze piercing and expectant.
"Pick up when I call," he instructed, glancing at his own phone before turning to leave. Pausing at the door, he cocked his head back to me. "And don't even try running away. I'll find you." The calmness of his tone held an edge that was both dangerous and commanding.
The door clicked shut behind him, and I collapsed onto a large bin bag in the middle of my room, where the weight of relief and confusion crashed over me like waves of chaos.
What just happened?
"I thought I'd never have to see him again after that day," I muttered, my heart rate slowly returning to normal. "How on earth did he find me? Is he really going to make me pay for waking him up in the library that day after all?" Panic bubbled in my chest. "Oh gosh! What have I gotten myself into?"
My rotten luck had drawn me into the orbit of the king of the school, and now, with the incident from our last encounter hanging like a dark cloud over my head, I found myself wondering just what he's going to do to me.