The golden afternoon sun bathed Crestwood University in a warm, glowing light. Students flooded the hallways between classes, their chatter rising like a low hum as sneakers and heels clicked across tiled floors.
Elon Dax stood near his locker, scrolling through his phone. A soft smile curved his lips as he read a message from Miranda.
"Ramen tonight. My treat if you promise to stop skipping meals."
He chuckled under his breath. Miranda Lambert had a way of making even cheap instant noodles feel like a five-star date. Despite having so little, she always gave with her whole heart.
She and her boyfriend were the poorest students in school, but to Elon, she was everything. As most times, they beg the school authorities to let them clean some classrooms and get paid.
Just as he started typing a reply, a flutter of movement caught his eye. A folded slip of paper slipped out from between the pages of his Economics textbook. He raised a brow, curious, and opened the note.
"Meet me behind the art studio, in the garden. It's important. …J"
He frowned.
There was only one person in the entire school who signed notes like that…Joanne Carter.
The richest, most envied girl in Crestwood. With a face fit for magazine covers and enough money to make the dean himself bow, Joanne was the type of girl guys fought over.
But Elon had never been interested…not even when she batted her long lashes at him during Business Law last week.
He sighed and looked around as there was no one suspicious in sight and he didn't see who had dropped off the letter. For a second, he considered crumpling the letter and tossing it in the trash.
But curiosity tugged at him.
What could Joanne possibly want with him?
...
Miranda adjusted the strap of her backpack as she hurried toward the west hallway. She had just finished submitting an assignment and was eager to meet Elon.
She'd seen him through the window a few minutes ago, walking toward the garden behind the art building. She'd called his name…twice…but he hadn't turned around.
Maybe he didn't hear me, she thought, quickening her pace.
There was something about the way he moved. It was as if he was focused on getting something or seeing someone. More like he was heading to a meeting. Her chest tightened with a strange unease.
Something felt...off.
….
Elon pushed open the ivy-covered arch that led into the school's hidden garden. The space was quiet, save for the soft trickle of a nearby stone fountain. Ivy trailed across the low brick walls, and sunflowers leaned lazily in the afternoon warmth.
And there she was…Joanne Carter.
Sitting on the garden bench like it was her throne, she crossed one leg over the other and tilted her head with a smug, practiced smile.
"You came," she purred.
"I got your note," Elon said coolly, stopping a few feet away. "What do you want?"
Joanne stood, brushing invisible dust from her designer skirt. She walked toward him slowly, her heels clicking against the stone path.
"Let's not pretend you don't know why I called you here." He stiffened. "If you think I'm stupid enough to…"
"You're not stupid, Elon," she interrupted. "You're just... misled. Misled into thinking a girl like Miranda is your future."
His eyes narrowed. "Don't talk about her."
Joanne's lip curled in a half-smile. "Why not? Everyone knows she's broke. She works two jobs and still borrows textbooks. You could have anyone, Elon. Why tie yourself to a girl who drags you down?"
He took a step back, jaw tightening. "She doesn't drag me down. She lifts me up."
Joanne's eyes darkened with frustration, but she quickly masked it with another flirtatious smirk. Without warning, she reached up, grabbed the front of his shirt, and pulled him into a kiss.
Not just a kiss but a deep kiss as she quickly grabbed his hands and placed them on her boobs not minding if they would be caught.
Elon on the other hand was shocked, Elon froze for half a second before pushing her back…firm but not rough.
"Joanne, stop! What the hell do you think you're doing?"
Her eyes gleamed as she stepped back, lips still curved in amusement.
"Come on, Elon. You're too good for that ragged charity case. You need someone who can match your energy. Someone who can make you look like you belong."
"I do belong…with her," he snapped, not wanting her to finish up her statement.
Joanne's smile faded. "You'll regret choosing her."
And that's when they both heard it…footsteps and a soft gasp of surprise.
He turned sharply, Miranda stood at the garden's edge.
Her wide brown eyes were filled with disbelief. Her phone, still in her hand, hung at her side as though she'd forgotten it was even there.
Her lips trembled, he looked from Joanne to Elon…and back again…her expression unreadable.
"Miranda…" Elon stepped forward instinctively to approach her.
But Joanne was faster, she turned her head slightly, caught Miranda's gaze, and gave her a long, slow smirk. Victory dripped from every inch of it.
Then she leaned in, brushed her hand against Elon's chest, and whispered just loud enough, "Oops."
Elon flinched once again, as he was trying his best to understand the kind of games Joanne was playing.
Miranda blinked, backing away one step… then another. Her mouth opened like she wanted to say something…ask anything…but the words never came as she didn't waste time but to turn and run away.
"Miranda, wait!" Elon called after her, his voice cracking with panic.
But she was already gone, disappearing behind the hedges, swallowed by heartbreak and confusion.
Elon stood frozen in place, guilt slamming into him like a truck and he thought to himself.
" I hadn't kissed Joanne, I hadn't even wanted to be here but none of that mattered now because Miranda had seen everything.''
And Joanne… She had won this round and when he was back to reality, he quickly rushed after Miranda as this time she was already far from him.