Chapter 4: The first day

The corridors of Belview College buzzed with chatter and hurried footsteps, the air tinged with the scent of new books and freshly brewed coffee from the student café. Along one of the walls, a line of framed photographs caught the eye—frozen memories of past years, smiling students, trophies held high, moments suspended in time.

"Did they completely erase every memory of her?" Merlina's voice was a quiet murmur, her gaze lingering on the images.

Phoebe, catching the shift in her friend's mood, snapped her fingers in front of Merlina's face. "What?

Merlina didn't answer immediately, too lost in the photographs. Phoebe waved her hand again, trying to break through her thoughts.

"Merlina!" Phoebe's voice was firmer this time, pulling her back to the presen

"Huh?" Merlina blinked, as if waking from a trance.

"Why are you stopping?" Phoebe asked, a little amused.

Megan, already moving ahead, added, "It's this way.

"Yeah, right." Merlina muttered, shaking off the feeling that had settled over her.

A few moments later, the trio found themselves in a classroom. Students were settling in, murmuring in the background as Ursula, a blonde with a chilling presence, strutted in, her eyes narrowing when she spotted Merlina.

"Hey, newbie—you're in my seat. Move it." Ursula's tone was demanding, as though she owned the entire room.

Merlina froze, caught off guard. But Megan, ever the one to stand her ground, leaned back in her seat with a smirk. She grabbed Merlina's hand and gave it a gentle tug.

"Girl, please," Megan said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "This isn't high school, and you don't own oxygen. Sit somewhere else."

Ursula glared at them for a moment before retreating with her followers. Merlina, still stunned, sat down.

Professor Harper, an older man with gray hair and a no-nonsense attitude, stepped up to the front of the class. He barely glanced at the students before speaking.

"Good day, class. It's been a pretty boring week, hasn't it?"

"Yeah!" the class responded in unison, eager for a change in routine.

"Well, let's make it exciting with a pop test—worth ten percent. Open your Law 101 handbook."

"No way!" the class groaned in unison, clearly not thrilled with the sudden announcement.

Merlina's thoughts drifted. What a rude welcome.

"Um, excuse me, Sir?" Merlina raised her hand, hesitant. "I don't have the handbook... I literally just resumed college."

Professor Harper gave her an impatient look. "Then go get yourself one. Hurry. Test starts now."

Outside, the frustration was evident on Merlina's face as she stormed out of the classroom. She slowed her pace as she crossed the open field of the campus, scanning the area. Students were lounging on benches, some chatting in groups.

Then, her eyes landed on a bench with a guy sitting alone. He was flipping through the Law 101 handbook, calm and detached, his presence radiating an air of effortless cool. His name was Craig Lesnar, and there was something magnetic about him that made Merlina pause.

Jackpot. Okay, just ask nicely...

She walked up, clearing her throat as she approached him.

"Hey, uh... excuse me?" Her voice was tentative.

Craig looked up at her, his face giving nothing away, but his eyes... those eyes were enough to make her heart race.

Oh no. He's hot-hot. Like ruin-your-life kinda hot.

"What?" he asked, his voice deep but unbothered.

"I'm sorry to bother you, but I really need to borrow your handbook. Just for a few minutes," Merlina explained, trying to sound as casual as possible, despite the racing thoughts in her head.

Craig raised an eyebrow. "You can't see that I'm busy with it?"

Merlina's stomach sank. "Look, I have a test right now, no clue where the library is, and even if I did, I don't have a library card, so please, I—"

"That's supposed to be my problem because?" he interrupted, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

Merlina's face fell. "Whoa, okay, Diva, sorry to bother you."

Craig studied her for a long moment, no smile, just a slight tilt of his head. It was as though he was trying to decide if she was insane or interesting. Without a word, he handed the book over.

Merlina's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Oh—thanks! You're a lifesaver!"

Later, after the test, Merlina was exhausted. She gathered her things, dropping her pen onto the desk. Phoebe and Megan were waiting by the door.

"So? How'd it go?" Phoebe asked, a teasing glint in her eye.

Merlina sighed, rubbing her forehead. "Honestly? I survived. Barely. I think I blacked out halfway through that last question."

Ursula's shadow hung over them, but Phoebe quickly brushed it off. "Ugh, that man lives to ruin lives. Professor Harper needs to retire—or get therapy."

Merlina chuckled tiredly. "Or both. He looked me dead in the eye while collecting my script... like he knew I bombed it."

"That's his kink," Phoebe added with a snicker. "Academic humiliation. Sick bastard."

Megan smirked. "Oh, come on. It's just a test."

"Spoken like someone who probably got all the answers right," Phoebe quipped.

Megan shrugged, grinning. "Maybe. Or maybe I just didn't cry during the essay section like some people."

Merlina mock-glared at her. "Hey, I was sweating, not crying."

The three of them laughed, the tension easing as they made their way down the hallway.

Later that day, Merlina found herself back on the campus grounds, walking past the bench where Craig had been earlier. She spotted him still seated, scrolling on his phone, the Law 101 book discarded next to him.

Okay, deep breath. Just return it. Don't be weird.

She walked over to him, pausing before speaking. "Hey," she called out.

"You're done," he said, snatching the book from her hands without even looking up, his voice sharp and dismissive.

Merlina bit her lip, feeling the sting of his coldness. "Yeah... thanks for letting me borrow it."

She paused, her voice thick with sarcasm. "Even though I could swear you were about to have a heart attack handing it over."

Craig's eyes narrowed, a flicker of irritation crossing his face. "Sorry?"

"Um... earlier it looked like you weren't willing to share," Merlina pressed. "But hey, no judgment."

Craig shot her a glance, his expression unreadable, before turning away. She was about to leave when he called out to her.

"Hey," he said, his voice cool.

She turned back, her heart skipping a beat.

"Yeah?" she asked, confused.

Craig held up the handbook, now with a torn page. "You ripped my handbook?"