present Day

Karma, You Never Miss

Oh, fantastic. Just as I was about to write about the jerk, he walks in.

Classic karma.

I just hope that one day, I'll be able to laugh at how stupid I am right now—or maybe, just maybe, I'll smile at how a fantasy can turn into something unbelievably real.

Anyway, remember Jessica? My church mama—or should I say, my call to Christ? Of course, you don't. I never mentioned her before. But yeah, she exists, and she added me to this group chat filled with my coursemates so we could study together and actually pass our horrific exams.

Story for another day. Welcome to today.

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A Study Session Gone Wrong

We were scheduled to meet at 7:00 PM, but naturally, I arrived at 7:30. Not that it mattered—most people hadn't arrived yet. Just a few casuals (people I care less about) and one semi-potential babe (someone I might consider dating someday, but let's not get ahead of ourselves). I'm not going to mention his name—it's way too dangerous. And honestly? Too disgusting. Judged by me.

Anyway, our so-called teacher for the session was missing, so we kept ourselves busy by teaching each other. Not important.

Now, onto the real reason I'm pissed.

I stepped outside to call Moses about my other reading group.

(You can't trust just one, so always have backups.)

Our conversation wasn't anything special, but while I was on the phone, I spotted two people making out.

Really?

Dude, get a room. This is a study space, not a make-out zone. Of course, I didn't say it out loud—just screamed it in my head.

Normally, I wouldn't care if people started stripping and effing on the streets. But lately, I've been getting cranky about not having a boyfriend, so watching people get all lovey-dovey in public? Instant rage.

When I finished my call, I was about to head back inside when something about the guy caught my attention.

That bag. That shirt. That height.

Then he spoke.

"I'll escort you," he told the girl.

And that's when I realized—that voice belonged to none other than David Kingsley.

Anatomy hotshot.

The hottest guy in my department.

The only semi-potential babe I had.

My heart? Shattered.

So, he actually has a girlfriend? Bummer.

I shook my head, trying to walk it off—until I really looked at the girl.

Wait.

I know that face.

Oh. My. Daze.

He just made out with the worst person on planet Earth. Judged by me.

---

Co-Wife 2.0

I walked back inside, sat down, and for some reason, I couldn't stop thinking about her.

Why?

Why on earth would he—a guy who could date literally any girl—choose her?

She's not even pretty.

I know it's wrong to cyberbully someone, but this is Stella.

Stella.

The same girl who laughed at me for not having enough money to fix my hair. (News flash: I left it that way by choice, not because I was broke. But she never let me forget it.)

The same girl who acts all sweet in front of people but gossips about them the moment they turn around.

The same girl who just stole my semi-potential babe.

Ugh.

He could do so much better.

Me and my friends call girls like her co-wives—basically, anyone who steals a guy from us. And now? She's Co-Wife 2.0.

I sighed. Maybe he's into her dark side. I mean, love is blind, right? That's how stupid men can be.

As I was reaching my grand conclusion—What if he just walks in right now?—

BOOM.

Like a freaking Greek god, he bounced in.

I swear, I blinked, and suddenly, he was there.

When did he get here?!

Doesn't matter.

He never noticed how much I studied him. And honestly? I kinda hope it stays that way.

---

Busted

You know how everyone has their own way of dealing with anger or stress?

Some people drink. Some people cry.

I? I write. Or blast music.

In this case, I was writing about it.

And then—

"Are you writing a book?"

A deep, breathtaking voice.

I froze.

Busted.

What. The. Eff.

Luckily, he didn't read much—so he had no idea I was writing about him.

If he ever sees this part, I'm doomed.

I just nodded and agreed with whatever he was saying, hoping he would move far away from my notebook. But my body was shaking like crazy.

So, I laughed awkwardly. Brushed his words away.

And that's when I felt it.

That moment people talk about in books.

When you experience something so surreal, so out of a story, that you don't even know how to process it.

Well done, Mother Nature. Thumbs up.

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Lost in the Lesson

Since our teacher never showed up, David decided to take over and teach.

And oh my daze, was he beautiful.

I swear, I wasn't listening to a word he was saying.

I heard him, sure. But was I actually paying attention? Nope.

Because all I could focus on was him.

His voice.

His posture.

His ridiculously well-built body.

Like—

Dude, did you fall from heaven or what?

And just like that, I forgot about Co-Wife 2.0.

Classic Tessa.

I guess infatuation is just as blinding as love.