The exhausting induction week was officially over. At the closing ceremony, a series of awards were announced, and to the surprise of few, Lina won the "Best Group Contribution Award."
It made perfect sense. She had meticulously prepared everything asked of her, navigated the week's ridiculous tasks with a quiet competence, and had been unfailingly polite and charming to the senior students overseeing them.
The immediate side effect of her win was a wave of quiet hostility from some of the senior girls. It was a classic case of campus politics, the popular new girl effortlessly capturing the attention of all the senior guys, some of whom were undoubtedly the objects of a senior girl's crush. It was predictable, but no less venomous for it.
Later, Jay found her standing alone near the student union.
"So, how does it feel to be the best fresher in the faculty?" he asked with a grin.
"It's nothing special," she replied, her tone flat.
"Seriously? Come on, it's cool. You're going to be famous across the whole faculty now."
"It's pointless," she countered. "Now I just have a target on my back. The senior girls are probably already plotting my demise."
"Yeah, maybe," Jay conceded. "But don't worry. If anyone gives you trouble, I'll be there to protect you." He gave her what he hoped was a charming, heroic smile. It was a move, and they both knew it.
Lina's expression didn't change. "Thanks, Jay, but I think I'll be fine. A lot of the seniors are nice to me, too."
"I'm sure they are," he pressed on. "But I can offer you real protection. Guaranteed."
She finally looked at him properly, her gaze sharp and analytical. "You're always so nice to me, Jay. But… are you like this with every girl?"
The question hit him like a physical blow.
"I'm just a friendly guy, Lina," he stammered, scrambling for the right answer. "I try to be nice to everyone. If a friend is in trouble, I help them."
"Oh, I see," she said, her voice dropping a little. "So my position is the same as everyone else you're nice to?"
"Uh… well… how do I put this?" he fumbled. "I do try to be nice to everyone, Lina. But you're different."
"Different how? You just said you treat everyone the same." She had him cornered.
"You're just… more special," he finished lamely.
A ghost of a smile touched her lips, but it was laced with challenge. "Really? Because I don't feel like you're treating me as someone special."
He was trapped. Utterly and completely trapped. What was he supposed to say to that?
"You don't?" Jay's mind raced. An idea, reckless and stupid, sparked in his brain. "Do you want me to do something that feels a bit more… special?"
"Should I?" she mused, her voice a soft tease. "That's up to you. Whatever you're comfortable with."
It was the same cryptic permission she always gave, an open door he was terrified to walk through.
Before he could second-guess himself, he took her right hand. For a split second, he saw surprise flicker in her eyes. Then, with a theatrical flourish he'd only ever seen in old movies, he bowed his head and gently kissed the back of her hand.
He looked up. "Does that feel more special?" he asked, his heart hammering in his chest.
Her expression was a complete blank.
She didn't say a word. She simply pulled her hand back, turned, and started walking away in the direction of her halls of residence.
Jay stood frozen for a moment before snapping out of it. He hurried after her, a pathetic parade of one.
"Lina, wait! I'm sorry, that was too much. I was being an idiot," he called out, his voice desperate.
She just kept walking, ignoring him completely.
He felt like a fool, begging for the attention of the most popular girl in their year. He was acutely aware of the other students dotted around the campus square, their eyes on the bizarre scene unfolding before them. He could practically hear their whispers, some mocking, some probably cheering him on.
He followed her all the way to her halls. She still hadn't said a word.
Her building was one of the older, all-girls halls. It was a grim, two-story block with about thirty rooms, built like a dreary state primary school. It was a budget option, with no frills, shared bathrooms, and a single ceiling fan in each room instead of air conditioning. It was the kind of place where guys would wait awkwardly in the main corridor for a girl to let them in.
Lina stopped at her door and finally turned to face him.
"Why did you follow me all the way here?" she asked, her voice cold and flat.
"Because you didn't say anything! I felt terrible and I was trying to apologize, but you just ignored me!"
She looked at him, her eyes filled with an unreadable emotion.
"You're ridiculous," she said.
Then she went into her room and slammed the door in his face.
Jay just stood there in the silent corridor, the sound of the slam echoing in his ears. After a moment, he turned and left. His student house was on the other side of the city, a long walk away. He had no money left on him, his clothes were crumpled from the long day, and his heart was a confused, aching mess.
He couldn't figure her out. One minute she was laughing at his stupid jokes, the next she was cold and distant. Did she hate what he did? Or was she secretly pleased by the special treatment?
It was her mysterious nature, he realized, that was the most infuriating and addictive thing about her. It was the very thing that kept him coming back for more.