The next morning, Mia woke with a dull ache in her head, the remnants of a restless night. The memory of Kris's kiss was a persistent hum beneath her skin. She grabbed her phone to check messages, half expecting one from him, but there was nothing. It was almost a relief. She needed space to think.
At the university, the atmosphere in the drama department was buzzing with anticipation for the showcase. Mia spotted James by the prop table, and relief washed over her. He was the one person who could make sense of her chaotic thoughts.
"James!" she called, hurrying over.
He turned, his eyes immediately assessing her. "You look like you've seen a ghost," he said, a knowing smirk playing on his lips. "Or like you just had a life-altering conversation on a mountain peak."
Mia groaned, pulling him towards a quieter corner of the hall. "Worse. I think I just... had a moment with Kris Windsor." She then recounted the entire evening: Kris's confession of vulnerability, his struggles with his father's expectations, and the unexpected, bewildering kiss under the moonlight. She left out no detail, her words tumbling out in a rush of confusion and disbelief.
James listened, his expression shifting from amusement to genuine surprise, then to a thoughtful seriousness. When she finished, he whistled softly. "Wow. That's... a lot, Mia. The Kris Windsor. Vulnerable. Confessing his daddy issues. Kissing you." He paused, then grinned, teasingly. "So, my nemesis has feelings for my best friend. This just got way more interesting."
"It's not interesting, James, it's terrifying!" Mia hissed, pushing his arm. "I don't know what to do. I'm supposed to hate him. We hate each other! And now..." She trailed off, gesturing helplessly.
"And now you don't," James finished for her, his smile softening. "Look, Mia, I'm not going to lie. I've seen it building all week. The way he looks at you, the way you two spark off each other. It's intense. And that possessiveness? That wasn't just for a bet. That was real." He nudged her gently. "So, you finally admitted it. You don't actually hate him."
Mia sighed, a long, drawn-out sound of resignation. "It's so confusing. But... no. I don't. And that's the scariest part."
Their conversation was interrupted by Leo, who approached them, a hopeful smile on his face. "Mia, hey. I was wondering... with the Case Comp done, and before the madness of the showcase, maybe we could grab coffee? Or dinner? I know a great little café near the city center."
Mia felt a pang of guilt. Leo was genuinely kind, attentive, everything Kris wasn't on the surface. But after last night, she knew she couldn't pretend. She took a deep breath. "Leo, that's really sweet of you, and I appreciate it. You've been really great this week." She paused, choosing her words carefully. "But I... I don't think I can. Not right now. I have a lot going on, and I really need to focus on the showcase."
Leo's smile faltered, replaced by a look of disappointment. "Oh. Okay. I understand." He cast a quick, meaningful glance at James, then a longer, more contemplative one towards the general direction of Kris, who had just entered the hall and was immediately enveloped by other students. "Alright. Well, good luck with the showcase, Mia." He gave a small, sad smile and walked away.