I handed my exam paper to the professor and walked out of the classroom with a wave of relief washing over me. Just like that, I had officially survived the first exam week.
When I stepped out of the building and spotted my friends waiting for me, I headed straight toward them.
"How did it go?" Aylin asked. Looping my arm through hers I answered with a grin.
"As usual, average equals me. How about yours?"
"Better than I expected." Aylin smirked and I nodded toward Sapphire.
"Judging by the glow on her face, hers went well too."
"It did," Aylin said, smiling. "But that's not why she's grinning. Atlas called earlier."
"Think she's actually in love this time?"
"Who? Sapphire? Impossible. I'm giving her… one month. Tops."
"She looked pretty happy to me. I say one and a half."
"What are we betting on?"
"How about dinner at Kordon?"
"Deal."
"Hey! I'm right here, you know. Your friend, whose love life you're gambling on?" I winked at her with a grin.
"Or the pizza place with your favorite waiter?" Feyza narrowed her eyes at us.
"You're both wrong. Atlas is smarter than the rest of them. I'm saying two months."
We were still laughing in the middle of the path to the cafeteria when Nil joined us.
"Hey girls. What's so funny?" she asked.
"We're betting on how long Sapphire's new relationship will last," I said between giggles.
Nil glanced at Feyza as if checking whether she was serious. "You really made a bet on your own relationship?"
When Feyza nodded carelessly, Nil laughed and wrapped her arm around hers.
"These are the girlfriends I dreamed of for years. Come on. I need backup for my revenge."
We waited for her explanation, but she just headed toward the cafeteria without elaborating. We followed her toward the cafeteria, certain we'd find out soon enough.
The cafeteria was more crowded than usual, and squeezing between the tables was a small miracle. Eventually, we reached one of the window-side tables where the four guys were talking. A few curious eyes followed us as we approached, I didn't miss that.
"Boys, bring chairs for the girls and me," Nil said casually.
At her wicked smile, Bora, Demir, Rüzgar, and Kerem all sighed in defeat. Somehow, God knows how, within two minutes they managed to find enough chairs for all of us. The three of us stared at Nil, stunned, while she looked absolutely pleased with herself.
Once we sat down, she turned back to us.
"I'm craving something sweet. You girls want some too, right?" Who would say no to dessert after exams? Naturally, we all agreed.
"You heard the ladies," she told the guys.
Bora started to place an order, but Nil stopped him.
"Not from here. Get it from the waffle place we always go to."
Before Bora could protest, he grabbed his keys and wallet with a helpless sigh and walked off. We still had no idea what was going on.
"Demir, get us something to drink too. A coffee would be great after the exam." Demir groaned but accepted his fate.
"And you bring it," Nil added. "The waiters take forever in this crowd."
Aylin snorted quietly, earning herself a death glare from Demir before he went to get the coffees.
I couldn't hold it anymore. "Why is everyone acting like your personal butler?"
"For real," Feyza agreed. "None of them even argue."
Nil looked straight at the guys. "Would you like to explain, gentlemen?"
"We forgot her birthday." Rüzgar's resigned confession almost made me burst out laughing. For the first time ever, he didn't look intimidating.
"Even Bora forgot?" Aylin asked.
Nil glared murderously. "He's the worst of them! I went to Rüzgar's place expecting a celebration, and the four of them were sprawled across the couches playing games!"
The guys immediately looked away under her harsh stare, and we kept laughing.
When Demir returned with the coffees, Aylin took a sip and grimaced.
"There's too much milk in this. Can you change it?"
"Get up and—"
"Demir."
Nil didn't even raise her voice. That was all it took. He swallowed his words and went back for a new one. Honestly, this revenge was benefiting Aylin more than Nil.
A moment later, Bora came back with waffles and sat beside Nil. Demir followed with Aylin's corrected coffee.
"Your milk-free coffee, Miss Aylin," he said through gritted teeth.
Aylin happily took a sip while I turned to Bora, puzzled.
"Isn't bringing outside food forbidden here?"
"Not for us," he said with a smirk.
I kept staring at him, still confused.
"The owner is a close friend," he explained. "Enjoy your dessert, sugarflake."
I couldn't even be annoyed at his nickname. I was still smiling when Kerem's voice cut in:
"By the way, we should celebrate that I'm going to be a father."
The entire table went silent.
Everyone stared at him. Demir reacted first.
"What the hell are you talking about?"
"Please tell me the mother isn't Chucky's bride," Bora groaned dramatically. "No, wait, don't say anything. My heart's already struggling. Hold my hand, love, I'm about to pass out."
"It's not her," Kerem assured him.
"Then who?" Nil asked sharply.
Kerem turned his eyes to me.
"A girl who's been going around bars telling people I tricked her into a relationship, got her pregnant, and abandoned her."
Oh, for the love of... When did he even learn all that?
I slowly slid down in my chair, avoiding everyone's eyes. The others just stared, confused.
"Do you know who she is?" Rüzgar asked.
Kerem smirked and shot me a brief look. "Actually… yeah. I have an idea."
"Who is she? Tell me and I'll go rip her hair out for badmouthing my Adonis," Bora said dramatically.
My hands flew to my hair on instinct. Kerem's grin widened.
"No need, Frizzy. I'll handle this myself."
The not-so-subtle threat made me tense, while the others happily supported him with comments of agreement.
Seeing them distracted, I stood up quietly. I was just about to slip away when Nil spoke.
"Where are you going?"
I gave her an innocent smile. "Bathroom."
I hurried away. On the way, I bumped into a couple of classmates and exchanged quick post-exam comments before reaching the restroom.
Just as I stopped in front of the door, a hand grabbed my arm and yanked me to the side.
I was about to scream, but a hand clamped over my mouth, cutting the sound off instantly.Panic shot through me.