Chapter 5: The first day ( part two)

Merlina's face fell. "Sh*t. I—I didn't even notice. I'm really sorry. It must've been when I... you know what? I'll get you a new one."

She gave him an apologetic smile. "I'm Merlina, by the way. You are...?"

"Like you don't know," he said, his voice flat.

"Excuse me?" Merlina's brow furrowed, irritated.

"Craig Lesnar," he said, his voice low and deliberate. He took a few slow steps toward Merlina, his gaze locked onto hers.

For a moment, Merlina's breath hitched, her heart pounding against her ribs as she instinctively stiffened, caught between holding her ground and stepping back.

But before either could move closer, the sound of approaching footsteps shattered the charged energy between them.

Phoebe and Megan appeared behind them, their faces alight with curiosity and an almost childlike brightness.

Phoebe excited. "Hi, I'm Phoebe, and this is Megan. Um, what's up? What's going on?"

Craig spared them a glance before walking off, his eyes glued to his phone.

"What just happened?" Phoebe muttered, watching him go. "The hell? Craig Lesnar is such an asshole!"

Merlina frowned, her thoughts swirling. "Yeah, seriously. It was like talking to a brick wall. I don't think the guy's ever smiled in his life."

Phoebe raised an eyebrow. "What kind of person just brushes people off like that?"

Merlina couldn't help but think about his cold, distant vibe. "He was so cold, like nothing mattered except his own space."

Megan laughed. "And apparently, he's got a fan club. You should see how many people are kissing his ass."

Merlina raised an eyebrow. "He's like, a big deal or something?"

"Girl, he's basically Belview's royalty," Megan said, almost teasing. "Is there anyone who doesn't know Craig Lesnar?"

Merlina shrugged, feeling indifferent.

Phoebe smirked. "But trust me, he's not all that."

"Yeah, yeah, he's not all that—just the son of Billionaire businessman, Charles Lesnar, CEO of CCL Group, and the most popular guy on campus," Megan added with a knowing grin.

Merlina couldn't help but feel a flicker of interest despite herself. "He is?"

"But who cares?" Phoebe said with a shrug. "He's a walking ick. Craig Lesnar is what happens when ego drinks espresso."

Merlina couldn't shake the feeling she just had with Craig Lesnar. It wasn't just his height or the sharpness of his features—it was the way he held himself.

He exuded this undeniable aura, like he was above everyone else, as if no one else mattered. He moved with an icy coolness, a force field of dont talk to me energy surrounding him. It was unwelcoming, and yet, impossible to ignore.

"Everything about him was cold and unwelcoming, I don't ever wanna have a conversation with someone like that" Merlina added.

Megan and Phoebe exchanged curious glances, sensing Merlina's distracted mood.

"You think he's that bad?" Megan asked, her voice laced with a hint of disbelief.

Merlina shrugged, still lost in her thoughts about him. "Maybe not bad. Just... closed off. He definitely doesn't seem interested in anyone else's world."

They kept walking, the conversation slipping into more casual chatter, but Merlina's mind stayed on Craig, on that cold, distant vibe he gave off.

"Seriously. What's with guys like that? So obnoxious," Phoebe grumbled, clearly irritated by Craig's rudeness.

Megan grinned, the playful tone in her voice undeniable. "Probably gets way too much attention."

Merlina thought about it, her eyes still drifting toward the direction Craig had walked off to. "Yeah... definitely feels like it."

Phoebe laughed. "Mini God wannabe."

Megan joined in, their laughter light and carefree. Merlina, though, trailed behind them slightly, her gaze lingering on the empty spot where Craig had vanished. There was something about him she couldn't quite shake, something she couldn't put her finger on.

Later, at the park, the three girls were heading toward Phoebe's car. The cool evening air wrapped around them as they walked, but Phoebe was still stuck on the earlier conversation.

She glanced at Merlina, the curiosity in her eyes almost tangible.

"What were you even up to with Craig Lesnar?" Phoebe asked, raising an eyebrow.

Merlina hesitated for a moment, unsure of how much to reveal. "He... uh... let me borrow his handbook," she said, offering a vague explanation.

Phoebe shot her a suspicious look. "Oh," she said, dragging the word out, clearly not convinced.

Merlina met her stare, feeling a strange unease stir inside her.

What was it about Craig that made everything feel more... complicated? Why was it such a big deal that he even lent her something? She shook her head, trying to push the thoughts aside.

Back in the hostel room later that night, Merlina curled up on her bed, the soft glow of her desk lamp casting a warm light around her. She held her phone to her ear, listening to the familiar voices of her family.

Her dad, Aiden, was on the screen, along with her younger siblings, Alistair and Melissa. Fiona, was somewhere in the background, her eyes flickering toward the screen occasionally.

"Well... the day was good. Productive, exciting," Merlina said, trying to sound upbeat as she spoke to them.

Alistair grinned from the screen. "Did you make any friends? Like, real friends or just 'hi-bye' friends?"

"Merlina smiled at the familiar teasing. "Real-ish friends, I guess. My roommates are cool. Phoebe and Megan."

Melissa's voice came from the screen, lighthearted. "And your professors? Are they strict? Hit you with pop quizzes or something?"

Merlina laughed, thinking about the surprise test she'd had earlier. "Oh, definitely strict. One already gave us a surprise test—like he was testing our survival instincts."

Aiden chuckled from the screen. "That's college for you. Welcome to the jungle."

Fiona's voice came from the background, a little sharper than Merlina was used to. "Just stay focused, Merlina. First impressions matter—with professors, too."

Merlina nodded, though her attention wasn't entirely on her family anymore.

Her eyes wandered to her desk, where the new handbook she already got Craig Lesnar sat—a silent reminder of their strange interaction earlier.

Merlina's voice echoed in her mind. Of course I didn't tell them about Craig Lesnar. The walking iceberg.

Melissa's voice pulled her back to the call. "Did you cry today? I know you already miss home."

Merlina laughed lightly. "No, I didn't cry. Not even a tear."

Alistair grinned from the screen. "Proud of you, girl."

Aiden's expression turned more serious. "Just remember what I said—keep your head down, do your work, and don't get caught up in drama."

Merlina's smile faded, a heaviness settling in her chest as she responded quietly. "Yeah... I remember."

After a few more words, the call ended, and everyone waved goodbye. Merlina set her phone down on the bed, the smile that had been there now gone. She sank into the pillows, the weight of the day pressing down on her.

Day one. Survived. Barely.

But somehow, deep down, she knew this was only the beginning.