College life revolved around the classroom, library, and cafeteria for the students at A University.
As September drew to a close, just before the official National Day break, a highly anticipated mixer dance was held for the freshmen.
This was a traditional event reserved for new students at A University, generally organized by each school or department. This year, the mixer involved the School of Journalism and Communication, the School of Economics and Management, and the Computer Science Department. The School of Journalism and Communication had more female students, the Computer Science Department had more male students, so the three schools happened to balance out in terms of gender ratios.
The students, both boys and girls, had prepared their outfits and makeup in advance. It was a Saturday, with classes rescheduled in the evening due to the freshmen's dance party.
In the dorm in the afternoon, Hailey, unusually present, was casually asked by Camila, "Why didn't you go on a date, Hailey?"
Hailey shrugged, "What date? We broke up."
"Ahh?" Ariana didn't expect her relationship to start and end so quickly, like a whirlwind passing through.
Someone deeply immersed in a passionate romance just the week before now suddenly single. What was surprising was how seemingly unbothered Hailey was at that moment, showing no signs of distress.
"Ah, what?" Hailey approached Ariana, embraced her, and said, "If you like someone, go for it. Guys are easy to catch. Sometimes all you need to do is send a signal."
Not able to stand the sight of her dorm mates who usually didn't bother with dressing up, Hailey took out makeup, saying, "Let's practice for the dance party tonight. Girls, you need to work on your appearance. Guys are shallow visual creatures. They can't see your inner beauty with just one look. Who's first?"
Among them, Ariana actually had a whole set of brand-name makeup products, rarely used but all laid out now.
Camila, normally very casual in her style, felt awkward in her blue dress, not accustomed to the change. To ease her embarrassment, she dragged Rachel over and asked, "Hailey, can you style Rachel too?"
Rachel, in her everyday attire of skinny jeans and a striped shirt, with long shiny black hair, had a natural beauty. Observing her, Hailey concluded that Rachel's flawless complexion and distinct features didn't require much enhancement.
"Rachel's face doesn't even show pores, she's naturally beautiful. Just some lipstick and a dress change will do."
Rachel picked out a cream-colored dress, climbed onto the bed, and drew the curtains before getting changed.
As Rachel struggled with the zipper, accidentally touching a scar, she carefully zipped up the dress before stepping off the bed. Her slender figure was not fragile but elegantly showcased in the dress, accentuating her curves, captivating attention.
Hailey was momentarily struck, "Wow, if I were a guy, I'd be gushing over that figure!"
At 6:30 in the evening, they all rode bikes together to the venue of the dance, hosted at the School of Economics and Management.
On the way, the roommates chattered excitedly:
"I heard our department used to have mixers with the Software Engineering and Biology departments. This year, it's the School of Economics and Management and the School of Computing. These two departments are really popular."
"Could it be because of Bailey, our senior? She organized this mixer, and isn't the School of Economics and Management where Brooke is studying..."
Rachel silently prayed not to run into Brooke.
Midway through the dance, a tall figure appeared at the entrance, causing a stir among the crowd. Rachel, sitting at the back, couldn't help but sneak a glance.
Brooke, standing out in his casual black attire amid a sea of formal shirts and suits, caught everyone's attention like a proud black swan. He seemed impervious to the cold, exuding a poised and carefree aura.
Hailey had been invited to dance by several guys and had changed partners multiple times. Rachel, uninterested in such activities, declined a few offers and sat with Ariana and Camila, engaging in casual conversation.
Camila, excitedly, exclaimed, "The campus heartthrob is here. They say he rarely appears in public with a girlfriend and has never publicly acknowledged any, maybe this time it's true love?"
As she spoke, a bespectacled, tall, and slender young man approached. Clad in a white shirt and black trousers, he exuded sophistication.
Camila sat up straight, smiling as she introduced him, "This is our high school prodigy Paige from the School of Economics and Management!"
"My roommates Rachel and Ariana."
After exchanging greetings, Paige initiated the conversation, "Why aren't you all dancing?"
Ariana shook her head, while Camila turned to Rachel, "Rachel, care to dance?"
Paige, with a genial smile, extended his hand to Rachel, "Rachel, may I have the pleasure of this dance with you?"
Surprised, Rachel was about to offer her usual excuse when a voice interrupted from behind.
Glancing up, she found Brooke standing there.
He pulled up a chair beside her, lounging casually, watching with an air of amusement. "You used to dance, right? Why suddenly forget?" he teased.
Not wanting to dwell on the misunderstanding that he was cheating, Rachel felt embarrassed and just wished to escape.
"Alright," she stood up, joining Paige on the dance floor.
Rachel had studied ballet before, her extracurricular activities in elementary school packed with various classes.
Her experience allowed her to exude elegance even in military training stances; the dancing came naturally to her despite not pursuing it professionally.
Paige's hand tentatively placed on her shoulder and waist, his gaze shyly fixed on her face but inevitably wandering over her.
He discovered Rachel to be even more stunning up close than in pictures, a type that captivated at first sight and only grew more captivating with each glance.
As they danced, Paige engaged in lively conversation, with Rachel politely responding, mostly listening.
They quickly became the center of attention on the dance floor, drawing admiring glances.
"Such a handsome pair!"
"They dance so well, their grace is delightful to watch."
Rachel paid no heed to the comments, her gaze involuntarily flickering back to her seat, realizing someone had taken it.
A few girls surrounded Brooke, some vying for his contact information, others offering water and tea, their gazes laden with implications...
As the song ended, Paige escorted Rachel back to her seat, dispersing the girls.
Ariana and Camila gave her a thumbs up. "We thought you couldn't dance; didn't expect you to be hiding such a talent."
Rachel smiled, "Why don't you give it a try too?"
Following Paige's chivalrous offer, Camila stood up bravely. "I'll give it a shot."
As the music resumed, Camila and Paige rejoined the dance floor.
While waiting for their friend, Rachel remained seated, uninterested in finding another dance partner.
Suddenly, two guys approached, one with a crew cut who patted Brooke's shoulder before seating himself. Speaking softly into Brooke's ear, he received a playful elbow jab in return. "Don't talk nonsense, she's my mom's new daughter."
"Oh," Jessica realized, "So you have a sister now, and such a beautiful one! I'm envious!"
Hearing this, Brooke kicked his chair back with a thud, marking his disapproval. Jessica startled as the chair accentuated the room with a faint sound.
Rachel observed silently, quietly withdrawing her gaze.
Since middle school, Jessica had been familiar with Brooke's family situation, aware of his new sister introduced by Mrs. Savannah last year, a girl supposedly held in high regard by his mother.
The playful banter subsided, replaced by a genuine offer of camaraderie from Brooke, extending a hand in friendship. "Apologies for the joke earlier. You're his sister now and will be our sister. If you need anything, feel free to ask us for help."
During a phone call interruption, Brooke's indifferent responses indicated weariness and resignation:
"Got it."
"Ok."
"What can we do..."
Upon returning, amidst remarks about his new 'sister,' he gazed at Rachel with a mix of curiosity and scrutiny.
Unnoticed by many before, Rachel's charm now attracted glances from both male and female attendees. These glances, laden with primal attraction, made Brooke uneasy, prompting a protective response. He casually remarked, "She's underage; any romantic interests will have to wait a couple more months. Considering a crime, are we?"
Jessica, taken aback, was challenged by Brooke's words. "What, can't you attract beautiful women? Haven't you seen how many guys are eyeing her here? You should know the kind of person I am."
Brooke, studying Rachel more closely in that moment, suddenly felt a surge of protectiveness towards her as he noticed the covert gazes directed her way.
In response to Jessica's provocations, Brooke couldn't help but feel an inexplicable sense of unease, as if the prying eyes were intrusive and impure. In a light-hearted yet somewhat ominous tone, he warned, "She's still a minor. Even if you like her, you'll have to wait a few more months. Thinking of breaking the law, huh?"
Speechless, Jessica was left to ponder while Rachel, sitting close to Brooke, heard his words clearly. She was somewhat surprised that he knew her birthday.
Having known Brooke since middle school, Jessica was aware of his family situation and his new sister from the past year. It seemed, to her surprise, Rachel was the famed sister everyone spoke about.
As Brooke leaned in teasingly and acknowledged Rachel, he demonstrated an unexpected familiarity with her. Unable to ignore the subtle moments shared between them, Rachel was taken aback at his knowledge of her personal details.
Just before exiting, Brooke hesitated, turning back to Rachel. "Do you still want to dance?"
Rachel, puzzled, met his gaze.
With nonchalance, Brooke pocketed his phone, nodded towards the door, and offered, "Savannah's saying it's time to go. Let me walk you back."