Crystal blinked rapidly, her vision momentarily unfocused as she tried to understand what had just happened. She looked up—straight into a pair of dark, familiar eyes. The face was handsome, annoyingly so, and irritatingly familiar, as though she had seen him somewhere in the past. Maybe from the graduation ceremony? Or online? She couldn't place it.
Not that she cared.
Crystal bent down, picked up her handbag, and turned away immediately. She wasn't in the mood for handsome faces tonight. She'd had more than enough of those in the form of Liam and Ethan—walking headaches disguised as men.
But before she could take more than three steps, a hand wrapped lightly around her arm.
She froze.
Her head turned slowly, irritation filling her expression.
"What is your problem?" she snapped, voice colder than ice. "What do you want from me?"
The man didn't flinch. His voice was calm, deep, strangely gentle.
"You're drunk. I only offered to take you home."
Crystal scoffed loudly.
"You think I'll follow you just because you asked? Am I a fool?"
She snatched her arm away from his grip sharply. "I can manage myself. Stay out of my way."
Without waiting for his reaction, she walked off—staggering a little, but still determined.
Handsome men were exhausting. Dangerous. Distracting. She didn't need another one orbiting her. Unless he had something she could use, he was worthless to her mission.
Behind her, the man remained still, his gaze locked on her retreating back. The intensity of it was so sharp Crystal could feel it slicing through the air… but she didn't bother to look back.
Moments later, Maya's car screeched lightly into the lot. As soon as Crystal saw it, she practically dove inside. The strange man watched the car pull away, his expression unreadable.
Maya helped Crystal out of the car carefully. She was barely steady on her feet.
Olivia Whitman rushed out the moment she heard the door open. The worry on her face was painfully obvious.
"Oh God… Crystal!" she breathed out. "Please tell me you didn't cause trouble—wait, are you drunk?"
Crystal groaned. "Just… a little."
Maya quickly supported her. "It's fine, ma'am. I made sure she got home safely."
Olivia exhaled in relief, taking Crystal from Maya's hold.
"Thank you, Maya. Really. Thank you."
"It's nothing," Maya said with a polite bow before leaving.
Olivia led Crystal to her room. The girl collapsed onto her bed the moment her head touched the pillow—out cold. Olivia left the lights on and closed the door softly, shaking her head.
Crystal woke up late, her head pounding.
"A hangover… wonderful," she muttered.
She showered, dressed, and walked downstairs, finding her foster mother waiting with a warm bowl.
"I made hangover soup," Olivia said gently.
Crystal drank it quietly, ate breakfast, grabbed her bag, and headed for school.
The academy was peaceful. Crystal focused on her fashion designs, taught a few juniors, and enjoyed the fact that she didn't see Liam or Ethan all day.
Maybe, finally… they had learned to stay away.
She stayed back to finish a piece, spending hours perfecting every detail. By the time she stepped out of the classroom, the halls were nearly empty.
And there he was.
Ethan.
Standing against the wall, legs crossed, arms folded, waiting.
Crystal paused, disappointed.
She really thought she was free—even for one day.
She walked past him without a word. Ethan grabbed her wrist lightly—not painfully this time, just enough to make her stop.
Crystal nearly collided with his chest, but he straightened instantly, clearly trying not to irritate her again.
"I'm sorry," he said quietly. "For last time. For… everything. I shouldn't have acted that way."
Crystal stared at him, expression blank.
Ethan continued, voice softer than she had ever heard it.
"I'll keep my distance if that's what you want. I promise. Just… don't hate me."
Crystal sighed. She was too tired to argue.
"Good," she whispered.
Ethan's face brightened—just slightly.
"Then… at least let me take you home. Consider it… I don't know—your way of showing you don't hate me completely."
Crystal didn't argue. She was exhausted, mentally and physically.
"Okay," she said quietly.
Ethan smiled, relieved. "Thank you."
They began walking down the hallway together.
The door of an empty classroom opened silently.
Liam stepped out.
His expression was blank—too blank.
He had heard everything.
He didn't move. He didn't speak. He simply watched as Ethan and Crystal walked away side by side.
But inside, his chest tightened painfully.
She barely spoke.
She barely reacted.
But she accepted his ride.
Liam's jaw clenched as a familiar ache settled behind his ribs.
What is she thinking…?
What is going on in her mind…?
His eyes darkened with a storm he didn't let show.
And then, without a word, he turned and disappeared into the shadows of the hallway.