Felicity's POV.
The walk back to my dorm felt like a parade. Three very handsome men, all trying to get my attention, each wanting to prove they were the best. Students whispered, pointed, and even placed bets on who would win. Some of them followed us like it were a show. And me? I was stuck in the middle, my heart racing, my cheeks burning, wishing I could disappear. By the time we reached my dorm building, I felt like a tomato with legs. Oxford had never been this dramatic.
Chris carried half my books like they weighed nothing, his ocean-blue eyes fixed on me with a small smirk. Alex walked on my other side, smiling like he had everything under control. Noah stayed just behind us, calm and steady, always ready to help.
"Careful," Chris murmured, leaning close. "People might think you enjoy this."
"Or maybe she does," Alex added, whispering in my other ear.
I nearly melted on the spot. I stopped at my door, my bag still intact but my composure gone. I finally dropped everything onto my bed with a groan. Penelope sat nearby, smirking, popcorn in hand, as she had just watched the best show ever.
"So," she said, leaning back. "Who won?"
I groaned again. "Penelope..."
"Oh, don't pretend you're not enjoying it," she said. "All three of them fighting over you? This is gold."
I buried my face in a pillow. "I didn't start this. It started itself."
Then I stopped at the entrance again, turned back to them and held out my hands. "Okay, thanks, all of you. You've officially made this the most embarrassing walk of my life. You can go now."
Chris tilted his head, giving me that annoying smirk. "Not until I know you've gotten inside safely."
Alex, not to be outdone, leaned one hand against the doorframe, casual and charming. "Safety check needs at least three escorts. We can't risk anything happening to you."
Noah stepped closer, calm as always. "We'll leave once you're inside. Just to be sure you're okay."
"Wow, amazing," I muttered. "Three bodyguards and one broken princess." I crossed my arms. "I do have legs, you know. I can walk just fine on my own. I don't need anyone hovering like I'm a child. So stop treating me like one."
From somewhere behind us, Penelope's voice called out from the back of the crowd, full of excitement as always. "Final round, gentlemen! Who gets the victory moment?!"
Chris stayed at the entrance, still smiling but quieter now. "It's simple, Fel. I'll keep proving it. Every day, every chance I get."
Alex leaned casually against the doorframe, resting an arm there. "I'll make sure you're laughing every step of the way. Challenge accepted."
Noah stood close by, calm and steady. "And I'll be here. Patient, honest, no rush, no pressure. Always you."
I stared at them, exasperated and flustered. "I...this is insane. Absolutely insane."
"Exactly," Penelope said as she stepped inside, standing by the door and popping another piece of popcorn into her mouth. "And yet... somehow, you all seem to love and enjoy it."
I groaned, feeling like I was caught in a storm I had started. But as I looked at their faces, Chris looked determined, Alex looked confident, and Noah looked calm, I realised something. This wasn't just a game. They weren't just doing this for fun or attention. They cared. All of them, in their own ways, completely and honestly and that scared me.
"Alright," I said finally, brushing my hair back. "You all get points for effort today. But the Winter Ball? That's when the real test begins. I'll choose the one I truly care about. The one I love."
Chris's jaw tightened. "Then we wait. And we prove it."
Alex grinned. "Game on, mate. Let the best man win."
Noah nodded. "All in. For her."
I closed my eyes for a moment, heart hammering, and whispered softly, "A game of hearts and I don't even know if I'm ready."
Penelope snorted. Of course, she was enjoying this. "Ready or not, darling, the show goes on. And honestly? I can't wait to see what happens next."
Chris stepped closer, lowering his voice so only I could hear. "For the record, I always finish what I start."
The heat in his tone sent a shiver down my spine. A small, traitorous shiver. Before I could even process it, before I could react, Alex reached for my hand before Chris could. Gentle and confident. My breath caught. He lifted it, his lips brushing lightly against my hand. His smile was soft, but there was something proud and victorious in it.
"Goodnight, sunshine," he whispered.
My brain completely shut down.
Before I could recover, Noah stepped forward and pulled me into a gentle hug. "Goodnight, Felicity," he said softly.
Chris's jaw tightened, his eyes narrowing at Alex and Noah like he was planning something serious. "Cute trick," he muttered. "Don't get used to it and don't think you can make this a habit."
"Wouldn't dream of it," Alex said smoothly, shrugging, completely unbothered and clearly enjoying the moment.
Noah just smiled quietly, calm as ever, and added, "I wouldn't either, but I'll be here if she needs me."
And me? I panicked. I ran inside fast, my heart pounding, and slammed the door behind me. I leaned against it, trying to catch my breath. Outside, I could still hear Chris, Noah, and Alex arguing, while Penelope shouted like she was giving a play-by-play. Of course. My life had turned into a messy mix of a dramatic romance and a reality show. I sank to the floor and pressed my ear gently against the door. Don't judge me. You would've eavesdropped too. I buried my face in my hands and groaned.
"Oh, Felicity," I whispered to myself. "What have you gotten yourself into?"
"Really?" Chris's voice was sharp. "You think you can just come in here with a cheap stunt and win her over just like that?"
Alex sounded very pleased with himself. "I don't think, mate. I know. It's not a trick if it works. You had the chance to walk her home, but you hesitated. That's not how you win a girl like her."
Noah stepped in, calm as always. "Hey, please calm down. This isn't the way."
There was a thud. My stomach twisted. Chris must have shoved him.
"You don't know the first thing about her," Chris snapped.
Alex chuckled, maddeningly unbothered. "I know enough to see she lit up when I touched her hand."
"Careful," Chris warned, his voice low, dangerous. "You're playing with fire."
"And you," Alex shot back. "Are afraid to get burned."
Noah let out a quiet breath. "Okay, you two are arguing again. I'm going home. When you calm down, we can put our heads together and figure it out. But for now, I'm leaving."
For one scary second, I thought they were actually going to start fighting right outside my dorm. Instead, I heard footsteps as Alex retreated, still grinning to himself.
"Enjoy your sleepless night, Chris," Alex called. "I know I will."
The silence that followed felt even louder. Then, just before leaving, Chris muttered so softly I almost didn't hear it:
"She's not yours."
I stepped inside, and my knees went weak. Not a moment later, Penelope came in, lying across my bed, eating popcorn like she had front-row seats to all the fun.
"Well?" she asked immediately, eyes sparkling. "Who won the Prove It challenge? Chris, Mr. Dark-and-Broody, or Alex, Mr. Sunshine-and-Smooth, or Noah, Mr. Quiet-and-Patient."
I flopped onto my pillow and groaned. "Don't ask."
Her grin widened. "So all. All is good."
I peeked up at her, horrified. "This is not funny, Pen."
"On the contrary, Felicity. It's very funny," she said in her best mock-serious voice. "This is the most entertaining I've had in years. Three gorgeous men practically duelling for your honour? Chef's kiss. Ten out of ten. Would watch again."
I threw a pillow at her. She dodged easily, laughing so loud that someone in the next room knocked on the wall.
"Come on," she teased, flopping next to me. "Spill. Hand kisses? Smouldering death glares? Who whispered what?"
I pulled the blanket over my head and groaned.
"I'm going to die. My obituary will read: Felicity Paddington, taken too soon by embarrassment and excessive male attention."
Penelope pulled the blanket down, smirking. "Correction. Felicity Paddington, future heartbreaker of Oxford, currently starring in her own romantic comedy."
"By the way, it's not either of them," I sighed, rolling my eyes. "They're all annoying." Then I hesitated and my voice got softer. "But when I think about it, Alex is nice and fun. Noah is calm and kind. Still, Chris," I paused with a small smile. "I don't know. He just understands me, Pen. Like no one else ever has."
Penelope paused mid-sip of her milkshake, her eyes wide. "Ohhh, wait, did the princess just confess?" she gasped, holding her popcorn. "Somebody stop the clocks! Felicity Paddington has feelings."
"What?! No. Absolutely not. Me? Catch feelings?" Felicity said quickly, waving my hands. "No way. I don't catch feelings. Feelings catch me."
She pointed at me. "You do."
"I don't!"
"You're blushing."
"I'm not!"
"You are literally blushing."
I covered my face. "This is a disaster." I paused, my cheeks heating up. "Okay wait, ugh, am I catching feelings?"
Penelope laughed so hard she almost fell off the bed. "Girl, you are not catching feelings. You're already falling for them. Face it, you are doomed."
I buried my face in the pillow again wishing the ground would swallow me whole. "This is so unfair. I came here to study, not to star in a tragic rom-com."
But deep down, even though I protested, my heart was still racing. I knew why and that was the problem. Just like that, chaos, charm, and competition had taken over my life. I did not think I would get through the next few weeks without losing my mind from stress or maybe excitement. One thing was clear: this was only the beginning. Even though it was messy, stressful, and totally chaotic, part of me couldn't help but smile. Victory, or something like it, felt strangely sweet.