The sun hung lazily in the clear morning sky as Winter strolled down the college hallway, hands stuffed in his pockets and his dark hair tied loosely into man bun. His white shirt bolliwed slightly as he walked, giving of his signature relaxed and confident vibe. Students parted ways to let him pass, his reputation as the campus "charmer" preceded him.
"Winter!" Luca's voice broke through the chatter of the hallway as he and Marco caught up, panting lightly.
Winter stopped, arching a brow as the two approached. Marco held a manila file in his hand, looking more serious than usual.
"What's this?" Winter asked, curiosity peeking through his casual tone.
Marco handed him the file, his smirk betraying a sense of amusement. "Open it. This is the guy who messed with you two days ago. KAEL."
"Kael?" Winter muttered, flipping the file open.
As he scanned the pages, a smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. "Kael Carter. Age 24," Winter muttered aloud, his voice dripping with mild amusement. "Ice Hockey Team Captain. Scholar Student. B.Tech in Architectural Engineering... not bad." A star athlete and academic achiever, someone clearly well regarded in the university. However, Winter's gaze darkened as he flipped to the next page.
No parents.
His smirk faltered, replaced by brief flicker of emotion he quickly masked. His fingers skimmed the rest of the page. Part time job in an internet cafe.
Winter frowned slightly and looked up at Marco and Luca. "This is legit?"
Luna nodded, crossing his arms. "Yeah, doubled checked. Man's practically a lone wolf."
Winter exhaled, snapping the file shut. "No need to get him back."
"What?" Marco blinked, genuinely surprised.
Winter shrugged, slipping the file back into Marco's hand. "My dad's gonna hear about it sooner or later. If I start something now they'll just get disappointed, and..."
He paused, cracking a grin. "You know Ami would murder me if she found out I went looking for revenge."
Luca and Marco groaned in unison, agreeing wholeheartedly.
"True. She won't let it slide if you go behind her back," Marco said with a laugh.
"Exactly." Winter chuckled, slinging his arms around their shoulders. "C'mon, let's head to class before sees me loitering around."
The three of them made their way to lecture hall. When they entered, Wamika, with her caramel toned skin glowing in light, was already sitting at her usual spot, oversized T-shirt hanging loosely over her athletic frame. Her bag was slung lazily over her chair, and she was scribbling something in her notebook.
Winter's face lit up like a kid spotting candy in a store window. Without hesitation, he sprinted to her.
"AMI!!!" Winter's sudden shout echoed through the class.
Marco and Luca burst into laughter as Winter practically skidded to a stop beside her, plopping into the seat next to hers. Students all around glanced up, amused ny Winter's childlike behavior. The charmer of the campus, clinging to Wamika like a toddler. It was always a sight to see.
Wamika didn't even glance at him, though her lips twitched slightly. "You're embarrassing yourself, Winter."
Marco and Luca, trailing behind, burst into quiet laughter as they took their seats a few rows back.
Winter beamed. "Let's go watch a movie after class!"
Wamika sighed, shaking her head. "I've got training after this, Winter."
His face fell, a pout forming as he dropped his head onto her shoulder. "Fine. I'll just suffer alone."
She sighed, rubbing her temple. "What time?"
Winter's head shot up like a puppy. "7pm."
"Fine." she said with a small smirk. "Happy now?"
"Yes!" Winter grinned, throwing his arm around Wamika's shoulders like a clingy kid. "You're the best, Ami!"
"Get off me before I break your arm." Wamika muttered, shoving him lightly.
The class erupted into muffled chuckles. From their seats, Marco and Luca couldn't hold back their laughter.
"You're like his mom," Luca teased.
Wamika shot him a glare. "Shut it, Luca."
Later at evening, the theater lobby buzzed with excitement as people grabbed popcorn and drinks. Winter and Luca dashed off to the snack counter, leaving Wamika and Marco waiting.
"Can't believe you agreed to this," Marco teased, smirking at Wamika.
"Trust me, neither can I."
Once inside, the darkened theater felt like a trap. Wamika led the way, holding the snacks as Winter and Luca trailed behind lik mischievous kids.
The movie started, and within minutes, the first jumpscare hit.
"AHHH -"
Wamika jolted in surprise, not from the ghost on screen, but from Winter's death grip on her right arm. On her left side, Luca clung to her just as tightly.
"Idiots," she muttered under her breath.
"Did you see that?!" Winter whispered frantically, eyes wide with terror.
"Yes, Winter. It's a horror movie."
Marco, seated beside Luca, struggled to contain his laughter. Every ghostly figure or loud sound had both Winter and Luca squeezing Wamika's arms tighter, their terrified expressions lit up faintly by the screen. Both of them trembling like scared puppies.
Winter, however, was oblivious to everything except the ghosts on screen. "W-W-Why did you pick this movie?" he whispered loudly.
"You picked it, idiot!" Wamika snapped.
The movie dragged on, and with every new jump scare, Luca and Winter only clung tighter, whining under their breath. By the time the credits rolled, Wamika's arms felt numb. Her patience was wearing thin. After the movie over, she stormed out of the theatre, her footsteps quick and annoyed.
Behind her, Winter and Luca walked with their heads down, holding hands like scolded children. Marco trailed at the back, grinning ear to ear as he watched the scene unfold.
"Ami..." Winter called softly.
She turned abruptly, glaring at him. "Why did you even want to watch a horror movie when you're scared of it?"
Winter rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "It was new..."
Luca nodded in agreement, adding, "The poster looked cool."
"Shut up, both of you," she snapped, turning on her heel. "You two are ridiculous."
Marco, trailing behind, was bent over laughing, tears in his eyes. Wamika turned back around, muttering curses under her breath as she walked.
Winter jogged up and grabbed her hand with his both of his, still pouting. "Ami, baby..." he said in his most pitiful voice.
"What?" she shot back, trying to pull her hand away.
"Walk me home, I'm scared," he begged, his big puppy eye looking at her.
"You have a car, drive." She reminded him flatly.
Winter shook his head, his voice trembling with exaggarated fear. "What if... What if a hand pops out of the back seat while I'm driving?" Winter asked in whisper, his face twisted into a mix of fear and poutiness.
Marco exploded into another round of laughter while Luca looked genuinely terrified by the thought.
Wamika groaned, looking up at the sky. "Why am I a 23 year old mother to a 23 year old brat?"
Marco burst out laughing, nearly doubling over.
"I'm serious!" Winter sulked.
"Fine," she snapped, throwing her hands in the air. "I'll drive you idiots home. Let's go before I changed my mind."
Winter's face lit up like a child on Chritsmas morning. "You're the best!"
Wamika slid into the driver's seat of Winter's car with an annoyed sigh. Winter immediately took the passenger seat beside her, still clinging to her hand as if it were his lifeline.
"Winter, let go of my hand before we crash," Wamika scolded, though her voice lacked any real anger.
"No way," Winter muttered, eyes darting nervously toward the backseat.
In the back, Luca was clinging to Marco. "Luca, stop grabbing me. I'm not Wamika," Marco grumbled.
"NO.. I'm scared!" Luca whined. "Did you hear something just now?"
"Luca, for God's sake..." Marco groaned, shaking his head. "It's your own breathing."
Wamika glanced at them in rearview mirror, shaking her head with a soft chuckle. "You guys are unbelievable."
Winter grineed, still holding her hand as he leaned back in his seat. "You love us, Ami."
"Sure I do," Wamika muttered sarcastically.
The drivce was quiet, save for Marco's occasional teasing and Luca's paranoid muttering about ghosts. After dropping Marco and Luca, they reached Kingsley's mansion, the night sky had grown dark and peaceful.
Winter got out of the car, stretching lazily. "Stay the night, Ami. It's late."
"No" she replied firmly, getting out of the driver's seat.
"I have training early tomorrow."
"At least take the car," Winter insisted.
Wamika waved him off, already walking down the driveway. "I'll take the bus. Bye!"
Winter watched her retreating figure and chuckled softly, running a hand through his hair. "She's something else."
With a satisfied grin, he turned and entered the mansion.