Elliot entered the café and casually took the seat across from Ella and Anna. Without paying much attention to them at first, he picked up the menu, glanced through it, and ordered pancakes with a cold coffee.
The waitress, clearly smitten, leaned in with a flirty smile as she took his order. Elliot, aware of it all, smiled back effortlessly. His deep voice and sharp charm carried as he made playful remarks about her hair and eyes, not missing a beat in his teasing.
Ella, watching from across the table, could hardly believe it. How could someone be so shameless? Flirting with a random waitress in front of everyone?
"See what I told you? A complete player," Anna murmured, sipping her coffee and sneaking a glance at Ella.
The waitress soon returned with their order.
"Here's your food, miss," she said, placing Ella's plate down.
"Thanks," Ella replied, though her eyes were locked on Elliot, not the waitress.
Leaning closer, the waitress whispered bitterly, "You shouldn't get involved with him, miss. He's a fucking jerk." Her jaw tightened, as if she were swallowing curses meant for Elliot.
Anna arched an eyebrow. "So, he played you too?"
"Yes," the waitress spat, turning away, fury radiating off her. "That bastard—I hope he dies."
Not long after, another waitress called out from the counter, impatience clear in her voice. "How long is it going to take you to deliver one order?"
Ella raised her brows, curiosity sparking. "So… he played you too, Anna?" she asked mid-bite.
Anna choked on her coffee, coughing violently. "Pfft—fuck no! That asshole never even looked at me." For a moment, her expression darkened, as if she'd remembered something she wished she hadn't.
"Oh, I thought he stabbed you in the back too," Ella teased, smirking at her friend's reaction.
"Shut up. Just eat—we don't want to be late on our first day of class," Anna snapped, though her tone carried more irritation than real anger.
"Yes, yes," Ella muttered, stuffing more omelette into her mouth.
While chewing, Ella's gaze drifted toward Elliot. Their eyes suddenly met. Startled, she froze with food still in her mouth, then gave him an awkward smile. Elliot only grinned back, amused.
"What are you doing smiling like that?" Anna asked, confused.
"I downt knwe… I jwst mwke eyew contwact with Elwioyt," Ella mumbled through half-chewed food.
Anna rolled her eyes. "Chew first, then talk!"
Ella quickly swallowed. "Oh my God, I just made eye contact with Elliot—with food in my mouth! And I smiled! What is he going to think of me?" Her cheeks turned crimson as embarrassment flooded her.
Anna's expression softened for once. "Don't get involved with him, Ella. Seriously."
Breakfast soon ended, and the girls left the café, heading toward campus. As they walked down the street, heads turned—not because they looked strange, but because they looked stunning.
Ella, tall and elegant at 5'10, had sleek black hair and fair skin. Her emerald-green eyes caught the morning light, sparkling like gems. Under the sun, she seemed less like a student and more like a princess stepping out of her palace.
Anna, no less breathtaking, walked with model-like poise. Her short dress swayed as her long hair cascaded down her back. Blue eyes glistened against her warm brown skin, giving her an enchanting aura—as though she were some captivating sorceress weaving a spell with every step.