Ariel and Divine reached the door. It was quiet.
Ariel lifted her hand to knock, but before she could, Divine suddenly stepped forward and pushed the door open.
What they saw froze both of them in place.
There, on the couch, Joy was perched on David's lap, her arms wrapped around him, and his shirt halfway unbuttoned. His hands were on her waist.
David's eyes widened in shock. "Ariel?!"
He shoved Joy off his lap and scrambled to his feet. "W-What are you doing here?!"
Ariel's world shattered in an instant. She stared, her breath caught in her throat. Her legs felt like they would collapse beneath her.
She turned slowly to Divine, her voice barely above a whisper. "Take me out of here."
David rushed toward her, panic in his voice. "Ariel, please! It's not what it looks like. I—"
Divine stepped between them, his arm protective around Ariel. "Don't," he warned David, shoving him back. "You should've cherished her when you had the chance."
"I messed up, okay?" David cried. "But it doesn't mean anything with Joy! I love Ariel!"
Ariel didn't speak. Her lips trembled, her eyes fixed ahead, refusing to meet David's.
"I trusted him…" she whispered to herself over and over, her voice broken and distant. Her thoughts drifted to the last two weeks as she walked.
. . .
Ariel and Favour lounged on their cozy bed in their modest university room, surrounded by textbooks and notes from their busy week.
The room was neatly arranged, two beds stood against opposite walls, each with a wardrobe beside it. Ariel's side of the room was immaculate, with her clothes folded and color-coded, while Favour's side was slightly more disorganized, with clothes and books scattered about.
Ariel sat cross-legged on her bed which had pink sheets, her long, dark hair cascading down her back like a waterfall. Her bright brown eyes sparkled with anticipation as she talked about her upcoming anniversary celebration with Daniel, her boyfriend. She had a petite frame, standing at around 5'2", with a gentle smile that put everyone at ease.
Favour, Ariel's best friend and roommates, has a more outgoing personality. She had short, curly hair that framed her heart-shaped face and expressive brown eyes that seemed to dance with excitement whenever she talked about something she loved.
Favour stood at around 5'5" with a toned physique, thanks to her passion for dance and theatre. She was more outspoken and confident than Ariel, often speaking her mind without hesitation.
"I'm so excited for tomorrow!" Ariel exclaimed, her eyes shining with anticipation. "It's our one-year anniversary, and Daniel promised to take me somewhere special."
Favour smiled, her eyes filled with genuine happiness for her friend. "Aww, that's amazing! You've guys been together since your first year, right?"
Ariel nodded, her long hair bouncing with the movement. "Yeah, it's crazy how fast time flies. He's been so loving and caring; I feel like I'm the luckiest person alive."
Favour's expression turned wistful, and she let out a soft sigh. "I'm happy for you, Ariel. You two are meant to be. I wish I had someone like Daniel in my life."
Ariel's eyes locked onto Favour's, filled with empathy. "Don't worry, Favor; your time will come. You're amazing, and someone will surely notice."
Favour chuckled, a hint of sadness underlying her laughter. "I hope so. I've had a crush on Samuel for ages, but I don't know if he feels the same way."
Ariel's interest piqued, she leaned forward. "What's holding you back? You've been friends since your first year, two years; I'm sure he'd notice if you told him how you feel."
Favour hesitated, her voice barely above a whisper. "He acts like he likes me, but we've been friends for so long, and he hasn't said anything. I'm scared of ruining our friendship if I confess my feelings."
Ariel nodded understandingly. "Maybe you're right to wait a little longer and see if he makes a move. But if he doesn't, you should tell him how you feel. The worst that could happen is that he doesn't feel the same way, but at least you'll know."
Favour considered Ariel's words, a determined look forming on her face. "You're right. I'll wait a bit longer, but if nothing changes, I'll take a chance and tell him how I feel."
As they continued their conversation, laughter and discussions about university life filled the room. They talked about their favorite professors, upcoming exams, and the latest campus gossip.
"I'm so glad we have each other," Ariel said, smiling at Favour. "You're more than just a roommate; you're my sister."
Favour's face lit up with a warm smile. "I feel the same way, Ariel. We're in this together, always."
Their conversation flowed effortlessly, a testament to their strong bond and friendship. As the night wore on, they made plans for the weekend, excited for the adventures that lay ahead.