Brooklyn leaned against the window of the campus café, stirring her drink absentmindedly. Outside, the late afternoon sun spilled across the quad, catching the gold in students' hair as they passed.
For once, her phone was tucked deep in her bag, out of sight and out of mind. She didn't want to see Mani's name flash across the screen. Not today.
"Zoning out again?"
She turned to find Bryant dropping into the chair opposite her, sliding a muffin across the table.
Brooklyn arched a brow. "What's this?"
"Breakfast. Or, well—late breakfast," Bryant said with a grin. "You've been skipping meals, and someone's gotta keep you alive."
Her lips curved despite herself. "I'm not helpless, you know."
"Never said you were." He leaned back in his chair, eyes warm but steady. "But sometimes strong people forget they don't have to carry everything alone."
The words sank deep, hitting places Brooklyn didn't know were bruised. She looked down at the muffin, her throat tightening.
"I just… hate feeling like I'm a problem," she admitted. "Like I'm dragging everyone into something messy."
"You're not a problem, Brooklyn," Bryant said firmly. "You're a person. A person worth caring about. That's not messy—that's life."
Her chest ached, emotions bubbling too close to the surface. She wanted to tell him how much his words meant, how he made the noise in her head quiet down.
Instead, she broke off a piece of the muffin and tossed it at him.
Bryant caught it effortlessly, smirking. "Wow. That's gratitude for you."
Brooklyn laughed, the sound lighter than she felt. But even as they joked, the truth pulsed beneath her ribs—she was falling for him. She had been for a while.
The realization terrified her.
Because every step closer to Bryant meant a step farther from Mani. And she already knew Mani wouldn't take that quietly.
Later that evening, Brooklyn and Bryant walked back toward the dorms, their shoulders brushing in the fading light.
"You know," Bryant said casually, "if you ever get tired of this place, there's a hill just outside campus. Best view of the stars. I could take you there."
Her heart stuttered. "Are you… asking me out?"
Bryant glanced sideways at her, his grin soft. "I'm saying you deserve a place where you can breathe. If that happens to be with me, even better."
Brooklyn's lips parted, her pulse thundering. She wanted to say yes. She wanted to step into that promise, into him.
But before she could reply, a sound broke the moment—music. Loud, echoing across campus.
Both of them turned toward the quad. Students were gathering, their voices rising in surprise and excitement.
Brooklyn's stomach dropped as she saw it: a massive banner unfurling across the main building, lit by spotlights.
"Brooklyn, You're My Everything. – Mani"
Her breath caught, the world spinning.
Bryant froze beside her, his jaw tightening, fury flashing across his face.
Brooklyn's knees felt weak, humiliation and dread flooding her all at once. Dozens of eyes were turning toward her, whispers spreading like wildfire.
And in the middle of the crowd, standing tall with a microphone in hand, was Mani. His eyes found hers instantly, his smile triumphant.
Bryant muttered under his breath, low and dangerous. "He really doesn't get it, does he?"
Brooklyn's chest constricted. She had wished for peace, for space—but Mani had just made her the center of the stage.
And there was no escaping now.