There was a weird silence after he sat down.
Not awkward, just... heavy.
Like we all collectively realized this guy was hot and none of us knew what to do with ourselves.
Jayden casually rested his forearm on the table, the sleeve of his hoodie pushed up just enough to reveal a silver chain bracelet and- ugh!
Nicely veined hands. Of course he had good hands. Why wouldn't he?
"So," he started, his voice smooth, low, and wrapped in this British accent that made the air around me vibrate differently
"what were you all talking about before I walked in and ruined the vibe?"
I swear, even the word "ruined" sounded classy when he said it.
Like "roo-end"
I chuckled in my mind as I averted my eyes from him and swirled my drink.
Zara was the first to recover out of the rest now.
"You didn't ruin anything. We were just gossiping. Classic Thursday stuff."
He chuckled.
A soft, warm sound that made Maya raise an eyebrow at me.
"Yeah?" Jayden said, glancing around the table, his eyes finally landing on me again.
"What's your name?"
I looked up, heart doing full-blown gymnastics. But I maintained composure obviously
"Lily," I replied, way too quietly. I cleared my throat. "I'm Lily."
"Lily," he repeated, trying the name out like it was a secret. "Nice to meet you."
I blinked. "You too."
Now let's pause a sec, dear Diary, and talk about features.
Zara, with her tall frame, golden-brown skin, and soft curls always tied up in a perfect puff? Stunning. She had that confident model-off-duty vibe.
Tolu, with his full lips, sharp cheekbones, and lashes so long they could shade a whole picnic table? Walking Black beauty ad.
Maya? Don't even get me started. Warm brown skin, bold curls dyed this fire burgundy shade, and a smile that made you want to spill your deepest secrets. She glowed, naturally.
And me?
Long blonde dreadlocks fall down my back, always freshly twisted, always wild in their own way.
My nose ring glints silver under the light.
Small, sharp, and intentional, like me.
My skin's a smooth deep brown that turns golden in the sun, and I've been told my face has that stop-and-stare effect- high cheekbones, full lips, a jawline that could cut glass.
We're not average around here, okay?
But Jayden? Jayden was another breed.
He had this dark mocha skin that looked like it absorbed sunlight and turned it into poetry.
His jawline? Razor sharp.
Eyes- deep-set, framed with thick lashes, and this rich, stormy brown color that made you feel like you were being watched and understood at the same time.
His nose was strong and elegant, like it belonged in a museum.
And don't even get me started on the fullness of his lips or the small scar just beneath his left eye. Not enough to look scary. Just enough to look interesting.
Basically, he looked like he belonged in a movie trailer where the screen just fades to black and you hear a British voice say, "You can't outrun fate."
And he was talking to me.
"So, what do you study, Lily?" he asked.
"Psychology," I replied, trying not to sound like I rehearsed that in the mirror last week. "Third year."
His eyes lit up. "Ah, brain science. Makes sense."
I smiled. "What's that supposed to mean?"
I asked, trying not to pick offence
"You seem like someone who thinks deeply about things."
Oh.
"Well, yeah. Overthinks them too."
He laughed, and I think that was the moment I was doomed.
"I'm in Tech," he said. "Human-Centered Design & Development. Third year as well. Just transferred here this semester."
Of course. Tech. Attractive. British. Mysterious. Spiritually dangerous.
Maya nudged me under the table.
"So how are you liking our small, overpriced college so far?" Zara asked.
Jayden leaned back and gave a lazy grin. "I like it. Different vibe from London. Less rain. More... friendly faces."
His eyes flicked to me when he said that, and I nearly dropped my cup.
By the time we all stood to leave, my chest felt weird, tight but fluttery.
Like I'd swallowed something alive.
He walked out with us, laughing and chatting with the others, but every now and then, his gaze would linger on me a little longer than necessary.
I sigh...
This is going to be a looong semester...