I swallowed hard, my throat dry. "He always does," I whispered.
Jenny sat back slowly, "That's not normal, Rue. That's… scary."
I shook my head quickly, hugging my knees to my chest. "I don't know if it's scary. I don't know…."
Jenny reached over, squeezing my hand. "Rue, listen to me. You need to breathe before you lose it. He can't just show up here. This is your life."
I forced myself to take a breath, but my phone still sat on the bed, glowing like a warning light. I turned it face down.
Jenny stood and busied herself with her laundry, giving me space to think. The room was quiet except for the soft hum of the fan and Jenny's movements.
Time dragged. I couldn't stop replaying the message in her head. I imagined Jordan's tone, his face when he typed those words. Don't make me come get you.
My chest tightened.
By the time the sun shifted toward late afternoon, I still hadn't touched my phone. I sat on my bed, staring at the ceiling, thoughts racing.
Then… buzz.
My heart jumped.
Jordan: "Are you trying to make me double-text you, by deciding not to reply?"
A second buzz came almost immediately.
Jordan: "I'm sure you saw the post. Don't bother yourself about it"
My lips parted in shock. He didn't deny anything. Not the rumor. Not the "plaything" comment. Not the whispers about other girls before me.
My thumb hovered over the keyboard, frozen. Show Jenny? Or pretend it didn't exist? The weight of it pressed on my chest, but I locked my phone and shoved it under her pillow.
Jenny caught the movement. "Another notification?"
I forced a shake of my head. "It's nothing important."
Jenny arched a brow but let it go. I looked down at my shivering hands, whispering silently to myself: "Then why does it feel like everything?"
By 6pm, the hostel corridors buzzed with noise. Voices rose, laughter echoing from room to room. A group of girls rushed past our door shouting, "Cinema night! Everyone's going!"
Jenny poked her head out of the window and grinned. "Ah, the campus-wide movie night. I heard it's fun." She turned to me. "Come with me. It'll distract you."
I shook my head instantly. "You know what people will say."
Jenny sighed and reached into her drawer, pulling out a clean black face mask. She pressed it into my palm. "Then hide. But don't lock yourself away in this room."
I hesitated, staring at the mask. Jenny's voice softened.
"You can't hide forever, Rue. But tonight, just… breathe. Pretend none of them matter."
We got ready and we're about to head out. I reluctantly slipped the mask on. The cloth smelled faintly of lavender detergent. It covered half my face, but not the racing of her heart.
The night air was cool as we walked across the courtyard, the crowd already gathering for the outdoor cinema. I kept my head low, clutching my hoodie. Jenny walked beside me, shielding me from the occasional stare.
But then a familiar figure stepped into our path.
Jordan.
My breath caught. He was dressed simply…dark jeans, a black T-shirt, but he carried the kind of presence that pulled all attention to him. Without a word, he reached forward and slipped the mask gently off my face.
"Don't hide," he murmured, his voice low but convincing "Let them look. You're with me. That's enough to keep you safe."
My throat tightened. I felt naked under his gaze, exposed before the world. Yet at the same time… shielded.
Jenny bristled beside me but said nothing, her lips pressed into a thin line. Jordan's hand grabbed my wrist, his touch firm but not rough, and he led us forward.
The courtyard had been transformed. A huge white screen glowed under the night sky, the projector humming, students sprawled on mats and benches. The air buzzed with chatter, popcorn, and excitement.
But when Jordan walked in with me by his side, the air shifted instantly.
"Jordan? Here?" a voice whispered.
"He never comes."
"And with a girl?"
I felt their stares like needles pricking my skin. I shifted uneasily, but Jordan guided me to sit beside him at the front, close to the screen. Jenny dropped down nearby, her presence grounding me.
Jenny leaned close, whispering, "Rue… do you realize this is the first time he's ever come here? And with you?"
My breath hitched. So it wasn't just in my head… He's never done this before.
The movie began, but I couldn't concentrate. I was hyperaware of the warmth of Jordan beside me, his arm brushing mine whenever he shifted.
Halfway through the movie, the volume dipped for a quiet scene. The courtyard hushed. Jordan leaned closer, his breath brushing my ear.
"You have no idea what you do to me."
My body froze. I turned slightly, meeting his eyes in the flickering light. They weren't mocking or cold…they were vulnerable. Honest.
My lips parted, words failing me
Jordan reached up, brushing a stray strand of hair away from my cheek. Then, without hesitation, he kissed me. Slow. Deliberate. Not the hungry command I expected, but something deeper.
My heart roared in my chest. My body betrayed me again, responding eagerly. I kissed him back like I'd done it a thousand times, like no one else existed.
The courtyard gasped. Whispers scattered like wildfire.
But I didn't attend to them. All i knew was the press of his lips, the way his hand cupped my face, the fire spreading through my chest and all around my body.
Jordan pulled back, only slightly, his eyes locked on mine. Then, without looking at the crowd, he stood and reached for my hand.
"Come."
My legs trembled as I stood. I glanced quickly at Jenny, mouthing, I'll come back. Jenny's eyes widened, but she stayed rooted to her seat.
Jordan's arm slid around my waist, firm but gentle, guiding me through the stunned crowd. All eyes followed us as we walked out together.
Just before we reached the exit, Jordan bent close to my ear. His whisper burned her skin.
"I'm not done with you tonight."
My face flamed, my pulse racing so hard I thought it might burst.
And yet, in my heart, only his words echoed, drowning everything else.
"I'm not done with you tonight"