Chapter 3
Ella's golden-brown eyes were lost in the stars when a sudden thought dropped into her head.
"What's the time?"
She lazily picked up her phone.
Her half-lowered eyes widened as she shot up from where she stood.
12:00 AM.
She quickly rushed toward the dormitory.
Within minutes, she reached her building, pressed the password, opened the door, and slipped inside.
The room was dark.
Ella sighed in relief.
"Thank goodness Sapphire is asleep. God knows I'm not in the mood to answer any questions," she murmured as she stepped inside and moved toward the bunk bed.
"How was the fresh air?"
Ella gasped and fell hard on the floor.
Even in the darkness, she recognized that voice anywhere.
She sighed.
Thirty minutes ago was the reason she had left the dorm in the first place.
Thirty Minutes Ago…
Sapphire brushed her short red hair as she watched her roommate get dressed.
Her brown eyes narrowed.
"Where are you going at this time of the night?"
Ella glanced at her.
"I just needed some fresh air to clear my thoughts so I can sleep peacefully."
Sapphire raised an eyebrow.
"Hmm. To clear your thoughts, right?"
Ella rolled her eyes.
"I don't know what you're thinking, but what I said is the truth."
Before she could reach the door, Sapphire grabbed the phone Ella had left on the table.
"Don't forget your phone."
Ella turned back, blew her a kiss, and collected it.
Back to the Present
Ella sighed softly.
"I wish I had stayed in the room. I couldn't even clear my thoughts… I just added more."
"What did you say?" Sapphire asked calmly.
"Oh, nothing."
Ella climbed up to the top bunk. Sapphire slept below her.
She lay on her back, staring at the ceiling.
"I don't know why… why what he does always affects me so much."
"Ella Royal crying because of a boy kissing some random girl? Wow. Your steeze really fell this time. And for the boy to be Henry?" Sapphire teased lightly.
Ella let out an awkward chuckle and closed her eyes.
"Please, Lord… let tomorrow be better. Please," she whispered.
Just as sleep began to take over, the thought of the dress hit her.
She immediately sat up.
The sleep vanished.
She climbed down, turned on her phone flashlight, and stepped outside to check the hallway.
No package.
She grabbed her phone and was about to text him before realizing it was late.
Still, she dialed his number.
He picked up immediately.
"Hello. Who's this?"
Ella blinked.
He didn't save her number.
"Ella," she replied calmly.
"Oh. Ella? Which Ella?"
She clenched her jaw.
"You've got to be kidding me."
Henry chuckled lightly, probably imagining how annoyed she looked, but quickly cleared his throat.
"So… why did you call?"
"It's about the dress. You said it would be delivered to my dorm, but I've checked everywhere and it's not here."
His voice was calm. Smooth. Almost melodious. It carried authority.
"Oh. It's with me. They said males aren't allowed into the female dormitory after 11:30."
Ella froze.
"So how do I get it?"
"Come to my dorm and collect it."
Her hands went cold.
"If they didn't allow you into mine, how do you think they'll allow me into yours?"
"Have you forgotten?" he replied smoothly. "You're my girlfriend. Just tell them you're here to see me. They'll understand."
Girlfriend.
Before she could respond, he ended the call.
Ella stood there, her heart racing.
She rolled her eyes and began walking toward the male dormitory building.
The campus was quiet. Too quiet.
She quickened her steps.
When she arrived, the security guard stood in front like a bouncer.
"Who are you looking for?"
Her throat went dry.
"Emm… I…"
Her pride refused to let her say his name.
Just as she was about to turn back, a voice echoed from the hallway.
"Let her in. She's my girlfriend."
His tone was calm and steady.
His eyes locked with hers.
Ella shot him a cold glare.