Brooklyn threw her backpack onto the bed and collapsed beside it, staring at the ceiling. The library session still lingered in her mind—Bryant's teasing, Mani's interruption, and that strange thudding of her heart when Bryant looked at her a little too long.
Amanda peeked over her phone, raising a brow. "You've been sighing since you came in. Spill."
Brooklyn sat up quickly. "There's nothing to spill."
Amanda smirked. "Mm-hmm. So it has nothing to do with you and Crestwood's basketball prince working late in the library?"
Brooklyn's jaw dropped. "How—how did you know?"
"Please," Amanda said, tossing her phone aside. "People talk. And Bryant isn't exactly invisible. You two in the same space? That's headline gossip."
Brooklyn groaned, covering her face with her hands. "Great. Just what I need—rumors."
Amanda's voice softened. "I'm just saying, be careful. Bryant is… well, he's got a reputation. He's smooth, he's popular, and he knows it. Girls have fallen for him before and ended up hurt."
Brooklyn lowered her hands slowly, chewing on her lip. "I don't like him like that. We're just project partners."
Amanda tilted her head knowingly. "Sure. And I'm the Vice Chancellor."
Before Brooklyn could argue, her phone buzzed. A new message lit up the screen:
Bryant: Don't forget, we're meeting tomorrow to plan our sections. Don't be late, partner.
Her heart skipped. She quickly locked her phone, praying Amanda hadn't seen.
But Amanda was already smirking. "You're doomed.
Brooklyn buried her face in a pillow, muffling her groan. She didn't want to admit it—not to Amanda, not even to herself—but part of her wasn't sure if she was doomed… or just beginning.