A Glimpse Into the Past

Just as Thea and Adrian were lost in their heated kiss, her phone rang, breaking the spell that had entwined them. She gasped softly, her fingers still curled into the fabric of his shirt as she pulled away. With shaky hands, she answered.

"Andrew?" she breathed, trying to steady her voice.

"I'm here to pick you up," Andrew said. "I got you a change of clothes. Figured you'd need them."

She exhaled, torn between relief and something else—something she wasn't ready to name. "I'll be right down."

As she ended the call, she turned to Adrian whose expression had darkened, the weight of unspoken emotions settling between them. He took a step back, jaw tense. "So, that's it? You just leave?"

Thea hesitated. "I should go."

His lips pressed into a thin line, but he nodded. "Of course."

She reached for the door but paused, glancing back at him. "Adrian..." she started, but the words felt heavy, uncertain.

"Go, Thea," he said, voice quiet but firm.

With a deep breath, she left the room, her heart hammering as she stepped into the rain and found Andrew waiting by his car. He held out a bag with fresh clothes—a simple yet thoughtful gesture. She changed quickly in the hotel restroom, slipping into the dry, comfortable attire before sliding into the passenger seat.

As Andrew drove her back to campus, he cast her a sideways glance. "You okay?"

She forced a small smile. "Yeah. Just tired."

But as she looked out the window, her thoughts drifted back to Adrian.

Adrian, meanwhile, remained in the hotel room, staring at the door she had just walked out of. A heavy sigh left his lips as memories surfaced—the first time he had seen her.

It had been at their university's induction ceremony, a moment he hadn't expected to matter so much. Thea had walked in, wearing a stunning purple dress that hugged her figure gracefully. The soft lighting in the hall had caught the shimmer of her dress, making her look ethereal, almost untouchable.

He remembered the way her laughter had drifted across the room, light and musical. He had been speaking with a group of students when his gaze landed on her, and for a moment, everything else faded. She had turned slightly, her long hair cascading over her shoulder, and when their eyes met—just for a second—he had felt an unfamiliar jolt in his chest.

From that moment, he was smitten.

It wasn't just her beauty; it was the way she carried herself, the way she smiled, the way she seemed utterly unaware of the effect she had on people. And then, Steven Brown had approached her, making her laugh, and Aiden had clenched his fists, feeling an irrational surge of jealousy for a girl he hadn't even spoken to yet.

And now, years later, that same jealousy was gnawing at him again. Except this time, he had touched her, kissed her, felt her tremble beneath his touch.

And yet, she had still walked away.