A new friendship

The next morning, Elaine walked into college feeling heavier than usual. Last night's dinner still lingered in her mind—Olivia's words, Alexander's silence, the suffocating weight of it all.

She barely made it to her locker before Mary appeared beside her, linking their arms together.

"You look like someone ran over your puppy," Mary teased, bumping her shoulder. "Rough night?"

Elaine let out a tired sigh. "Something like that."

Mary narrowed her eyes, then leaned in with a dramatic whisper. "Was it family drama or *boy* drama?"

Elaine scoffed. "Definitely the first one."

Mary patted her head as if she were a child. "Then forget them. We're in college, babe. No time to waste on people who don't deserve your energy."

Before Elaine could respond, a familiar voice cut in.

"Well, if it isn't my favorite mysterious beauty."

She turned to see Ryan standing there with his usual confident grin, leaning against the lockers like he was in some teen drama.

Elaine raised an eyebrow. "Favorite? How many 'mysterious beauties' do you know?"

Ryan placed a hand over his heart. "Elaine, you wound me. There is no one else. I'm a loyal man."

Mary snorted. "Yeah, sure."

Ryan turned to her, feigning offense. "Mary, I thought we were friends."

She shrugged. "We *are*. That doesn't mean I have to lie to Elaine about your reputation."

Elaine smirked, enjoying how Ryan pouted like a scolded puppy.

"Alright, alright," he said, holding up his hands. "I *may* have been a little wild in the past, but that doesn't mean I'm not a good friend." He looked at Elaine. "Which is exactly why I am now your *official* friend. Congratulations."

Elaine folded her arms. "Oh? And when exactly did I agree to this?"

Ryan grinned. "You just did."

Mary rolled her eyes. "Annoying, isn't he?"

Elaine, to her own surprise, laughed.

Maybe he *was* annoying. But he was also… fun. And for the first time that day, she didn't feel so weighed down.

She sighed, shaking her head. "Fine, Ryan. You're *officially* our annoying friend."

Ryan clapped his hands together. "Yes! This is the best decision you've ever made."

---

Later that day, Elaine and Mary found themselves in the crowded cafeteria, the air filled with the usual chatter of students. As they stood in line, Mary suddenly nudged her.

"There he is."

Elaine blinked. "Who?"

Mary gestured subtly with her chin. "*Him.*"

Elaine followed her gaze and spotted a tall figure seated near the window.

He was effortlessly striking—broad-shouldered, lean, with sharp features that made him stand out even in a sea of students. He sat with a calm, almost disinterested expression, absentmindedly scrolling through a book while the rest of the cafeteria seemed hyper-aware of his presence.

Groups of girls kept glancing his way, whispering among themselves, yet he didn't seem to care.

"Who is that?" Elaine asked, curiosity piqued.

Mary smirked. "That, my dear Elaine, is Adrian Blackwood. College's golden boy. Genius student, sports captain, and the only guy in this place who doesn't give a damn about any of the girls fawning over him."

Elaine raised an eyebrow. "Sounds dramatic."

"Oh, it is," Mary continued, grinning. "He's not rich like most of the popular guys, but that doesn't stop people from obsessing over him. He's distant, cold, and pretty much ignores everyone unless it's necessary. The dude doesn't even glance at girls, no matter how hard they try."

Elaine glanced back at him briefly. There was something about his composed demeanor that intrigued her, but she quickly shrugged it off.

"Interesting," she murmured before turning her attention back to Mary.

"Careful," Mary teased. "One look at him and you might end up like the rest of them."

Elaine rolled her eyes. "Yeah, not happening."

Ryan suddenly appeared beside them, placing an arm around Elaine's shoulders. "What are we talking about? Me?"

Mary groaned. "You wish."

Ryan followed their gaze and snorted. "Ah, Blackwood. Bet you five bucks he rejects at least three confessions by the end of the day."

Elaine shook her head in amusement. She wasn't interested in the so-called *untouchable* Adrian Blackwood.

At least, not yet.

---

Meanwhile, in his office, Alexander leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples. His mind kept drifting back to Elaine, and it frustrated him. She seemed distant lately, and it bothered him more than it should.

Nicholas, his longtime friend, stepped into the office and raised an eyebrow. "You look like you're about to murder someone. What's wrong with you?"

Alexander sighed. "Elaine. She's been acting different."

Nicholas smirked. "What, she finally realized you're an arrogant bastard and decided to avoid you?"

Alexander shot him a glare. "Not funny."

Nicholas sat across from him, arms crossed. "Okay, seriously. What's the issue?"

Alexander hesitated. "I don't know. It's just… her family treats her like she doesn't belong, and I hate it."

Nicholas studied him for a moment before tilting his head. "Are you sure you don't see her differently?"

Alexander frowned. "What do you mean?"

Nicholas smirked. "I mean, are you *sure* it's just concern and not something… more?"

Alexander scoffed. "That's ridiculous. I've known her since she was a kid."

Nicholas shrugged. "And yet, here you are, frustrated over her like some jealous boyfriend."

Alexander clenched his jaw. He *wasn't* jealous. He *wasn't* attached.

…Right?

He exhaled sharply. Maybe he needed some distance from Elaine. Just until he figured out why the thought of her slipping away unsettled him so much.