Chapter 3 : The school Prince and the Gossip
Every campus has that one guy tall, too handsome for his own good, and so smooth that even the lecturers rolled their eyes behind his back. For Ocean Heights University, that guy was Khali Williams known simply as Khal.
Khal had it all: wealth, charm, an expensive car, and a reputation for never being serious about any girl. His father was a powerful businessman who barely stayed in the country, and his mother well, Khal couldn't even remember the last time she hugged him. He had all the money he could spend but none of the warmth a boy needed while growing up. So, he learned early how to fill that emptiness with parties, girls, and expensive distractions.
One afternoon, after a tedious economics class, Khal leaned lazily against his car with his usual crew of boys Daniels, mark, and lex. They all laughed too loudly, showing off for a cluster of giggling girls who lingered by the faculty block, pretending not to stare.
Then, from the lecture hall, the trio emerged Liyah, Mirah, and Missi.
"Bro, see that one with glasses," Daniels nudged Khal, nodding at Liyah. "People say she's too proud. Pretty face, but doesn't talk to anyone."
Mark chuckled. "She and her friends always together. That loud one is fire though." He was obviously talking about Missi, who was busy scolding Mirah for eating cake again.
Khal's eyes didn't miss a thing. Liyah was graceful and looked untouchable exactly the kind of puzzle that pricked at his ego. Missi was loud and carefree, but his eyes drifted to Mirah. She was laughing so hard at something Missi said, her cheeks puffed out from the snack in her mouth. There was something innocent about her messy hair, loud giggles, crumbs on her shirt. She didn't even notice the eyes on her.
"Look at that one," Khal smirked, flicking his chin toward Mirah. "She'd pick food over me any day."
"Bet you can't get her to pick you," Daniels teased, laughing.
Khal scoffed. "Watch and learn. She's easy foodie girls are always easy to win over."
But even as he said it, there was a flicker of curiosity in his chest. He had played with pretty girls before. Smart ones too. But these three seemed different tight-knit, unbothered, living in their own small bubble no matter who watched them.
Behind them, whispers trailed like perfume:
"That's Liyah. She thinks she's better than everyone."
"See Mirah, always eating."
"Missi is so loud, but at least she's friendly."
Khal listened, but didn't care about gossip. He only cared about fun. And right now, fun looked like testing his charm on a girl who seemed impossible to impress or one too distracted by snacks to notice him at all.
Meanwhile, Mirah, oblivious to the whispers and the eyes on her, tore open another meat pie.
"Mirah! Seriously? We're about to eat proper lunch at the cafeteria," Missi said, half-laughing, half-scolding.
"I'm just holding body!" Mirah defended herself, her mouth full. Liyah shook her head, rolling her eyes but smiling softly.
As they walked past Khal and his crew, Mirah was too busy chewing to notice Khal's amused smirk. But Liyah did notice the lingering stares. She shot Khal a cold glance that said Don't even try it.
Khal's grin only widened.