Tasha walked out of the lecture hall, her mind buzzing with anger. She pulled out her phone and quickly typed a message to Sabrina.
Tasha: YOU WILL NOT BELIEVE WHO IS IN MY PSYCH CLASS.
Her phone buzzed back almost instantly.
Sabrina: OMG who?! Don't tell me it's Professor Davies, I heard he's boring LOL.
Tasha: WORSE. It's HIM. Liam. The jerk.
Sabrina: NO WAY. Seriously?! What happened?! Tell me EVERYTHING! Meet me at the campus coffee shop? I just finished my class.
Tasha: On my way. Be there in 5.
Tasha walked quickly across campus, ignoring the happy chatter of other students. She just wanted to vent. She pushed open the door to "The Daily Grind," the campus coffee shop, and immediately spotted Sabrina waving from a small table in the corner.
Sabrina's eyes were wide. "Okay, spill! Is he really in your class?"
Tasha dropped into the chair with a sigh. "Yes! He's sitting right next to me! And if that wasn't bad enough, after class he actually asked me if my notes were 'useful' or if I 'scribble aimlessly'!" Tasha mimicked Liam's calm, annoying voice. "Can you believe the nerve of that guy?"
Sabrina gasped. "He said that?! Wow. He really doesn't hold back, does he?"
"No, he doesn't! And he just brushed off ruining my shoe in the cafeteria like it was nothing! 'Accidents happen, get over it'!" Tasha was so mad, her hands were making fists under the table. "I swear, every time I see him, he finds a new way to be completely obnoxious. What is his problem?"
Sabrina took a sip of her iced coffee. "Well, like I told you, he has a reputation. Liam Carter, right? Son of a big tech CEO. He's always been known for being super smart but also super arrogant. I guess he thinks he's above everyone else."
Tasha frowned. "Liam Carter? Seriously? Figures. So he's got rich-kid syndrome on top of everything else." She leaned forward. "But why me, Sabrina? Why does he keep bumping into me? And now he's in my class? It feels like he's everywhere!"
Sabrina shrugged. "Coincidence? Or maybe... fate?" She winked playfully.
Tasha threw a crumpled napkin at her. "Don't even joke! He's the last person on Earth I'd want anything to do with. I just want him to disappear! How am I supposed to focus in class with that arrogant face next to me?"
"You'll manage," Sabrina said, trying to cheer her up. "Just ignore him. Focus on your studies. And who knows, maybe he'll transfer out. Or you will."
Tasha sighed, running a hand through her hair. "I'm not transferring. But I don't know how I'm going to deal with this all semester. He's just... infuriating."
Sabrina smiled. "Hey, at least your first campus drama is sorted! Now, let's talk about something more fun. There's a big Welcome Week party tonight. Are you in?"
Tasha hesitated, still thinking about Liam. But then she shook her head. No. She wouldn't let him ruin her first night at Evergreen. "You know what? Yes. I'm in. I need a distraction."