Ollie slipped his hands into his pockets, giving Ginny a quick once-over as if to make sure she was alright. His eyes softened when they landed on his jacket, still wrapped around her shoulders.
"Keep it," he said with an easy smile, his tone warm and casual. "I've got more."
Ginny hesitated, clutching the jacket a little tighter, feeling the lingering warmth of his body heat. It was soft, comfortable, and there was a small stitched logo on the chest: Glenwood State Chess Club, marked by a minimalist rook.
"Chess Club, huh?" she raised a brow, giving him a quick, skeptical glance. "Can't say you exactly look like the type."
Ollie let out a low laugh, the sound as relaxed as his posture.
"What's that supposed to mean? You're judging my hobbies now?" He flashed her a teasing look. "Chess is thrilling, you know—mind games, strategy, maybe even a little deception."
"Then it suits you," she muttered, hiding a small smile. "You do seem like the type who'd keep everyone guessing. Just…don't kill me, okay?"
He raised his hands in mock surrender, his grin widening.
"Wouldn't dream of it."
They started walking, the night air cool against her skin, though the jacket's warmth held steady. With each step down the quiet street, the echoes of laughter and whispers from the sorority house faded away, like a bad dream dissolving in the dawn.
After a while, Ollie glanced her way, his voice a little more serious.
"So, what were you doing there, anyway?"
Ginny exhaled, her fingers burrowing into the jacket pockets.
"Honestly? My friend Evie dragged me out. She said I needed a 'distraction,' but that… turned out to be a horrible idea."
"Evie?" He shot her an intrigued look. "You mean Evie Patel? Glenwood's resident quantum mechanics genius?"
Ginny stopped, raising an eyebrow. "Wait, how do you know Evie?"
His grin widened, an amused glint sparking in his eyes. "We have a few classes together. She might've mentioned you once or twice—Imogen, right?"
"Oh, no," she groaned, though she couldn't help laughing. "Evie's been talking about me? I'm terrified to think what she's told you."
"Nothing bad, I swear," he replied, hands raised, that glint in his eye never quite leaving. "Just that you're her partner-in-crime. Her 'grounded friend,' I think she called you."
"Grounded?" Ginny huffed, trying to hide her smile. "More like her wingman."
They walked on in companionable silence, the air cooling as they passed closed-up shops and quiet cafés. Her stomach gave a quiet rumble, breaking the quiet, and Ollie raised an eyebrow, an amused smile tugging at his lips.
"Look, if you're game, there's a ramen place nearby that's open all night," he said, nodding down the street. "Best spicy ramen in town. What do you say?"
The offer was too tempting to resist, and Ginny found herself nodding.
"Lead the way."
The ramen shop was cozy, its windows fogged from the warmth inside, the air thick with the scent of simmering broth and spices. They slipped into a corner booth, and Ginny sighed as she sank into the seat, letting the relief of the moment settle over her.
Ollie slid a menu her way, a grin playing at his lips. "So, spicy or mild?"
"Spicy," she replied without hesitation, lifting her chin. "With as much pork belly as they'll allow."
His eyebrows lifted, impressed. "You're not holding back. I like it."
When the ramen arrived, steaming and rich with aroma, Ginny didn't waste a second. She took a bite, the spices lighting her taste buds with a welcome heat. Ollie let out a low groan of satisfaction, his eyes closing as he savored a mouthful.
"See? Told you," he said, grinning as he picked up another bite. "Nothing beats ramen after a terrible party."
Ginny chuckled, wiping her mouth. "Alright, you've got me there. Though I'll admit, I think my tolerance for ramen is way higher than it is for parties."
"Noted," he replied, winking as he slurped up a long noodle. "Personally, I think people-watching is more fun than actually being at those things."
Their conversation shifted to the usual topics—favorite foods, stories from school, the types of teachers they both hated—and Ginny found herself laughing, a deep, genuine laugh that felt like a release. Ollie's jokes were corny and sometimes painfully bad, but his humor was infectious, and she laughed in a way she hadn't in a long time.
"So," she asked, once their bowls were nearly empty, "what do you think of Glenwood so far?"
He leaned back, crossing his arms with a thoughtful expression.
"It's… different. But that's not a bad thing." His eyes found hers, serious for a moment. "It's challenging. And people are interesting here, though a little… intense."
"Good word for it," she muttered, thinking back to the party, the stares, the whispers. "You'll get used to it. Glenwood has a way of making everything feel like… like some kind of chess match."
He laughed. "Well, then it's good I'm used to chess."
Ginny snorted, rolling her eyes. "Oh, I can see it now—Oliver Sinclair, Glenwood's knight in shining armor, pulling damsels from sorority parties one ramen date at a time."
He grinned, leaning in closer.
"Only the ones in dire need of a ramen break."
She laughed, covering her mouth to hide the blush that rose to her cheeks.
It was strange—easy, for once.
She didn't feel like 'Ginny, the girl everyone talked about' or 'Imogen, the one everyone whispered about.'
She was just… herself.
After finishing up, they walked back to her dorm, the cool night air swirling around them as they strolled, their steps light and unhurried. When they reached her building, Ollie slowed, his gaze shifting to her with a small, sincere smile.
"Tonight was… unexpected. In a good way," he said, almost shyly. "You're funny. And cute, if you don't mind me saying."
Ginny felt warmth creep into her cheeks, caught off guard by the openness in his tone. She gave a soft laugh, looking down to hide the smile spreading across her face.
"Thanks," she murmured, her voice quieter than intended. "Honestly, tonight was… the best part of my week."
"Well, I'd like to do it again sometime." He reached for his phone, his smile widening. "How about a number, for more ramen nights?"
Ginny hesitated, the weight of caution settling in—she wasn't used to giving her number out. Too many people tried to get close to her for the wrong reasons. But Ollie's eyes held none of the usual recognition, no glint of curiosity about her connection to the twins.
So she exhaled, reaching into her bag. "Alright, but you better not spam me with memes or—"
Before she could finish, a firm hand wrapped around her arm. She turned, startled, and found herself looking into a familiar set of calm, blue-gray eyes.
"Lyle?"
He stood beside her, gaze steady on Ollie, a polite smile on his face but a slight clench to his jaw. His posture, somehow both relaxed and authoritative, held a subtle tension that sent a chill down her spine.
Ollie looked at Lyle with mild interest, raising an eyebrow. But before he could say anything, Lyle's voice cut through the quiet, calm and level, yet somehow unsettling.
"I appreciate you walking her back to the dorm," Lyle said, inclining his head slightly, his smile tight, "But it's after dark, and you're loitering in front of the women's dormitory. That's a violation of campus policy."
Ollie's smile flickered, amused as he glanced between Lyle and Ginny.
"Loitering, huh?" he replied, his tone light but curious. "Funny, I didn't see any signs posted. But I guess by that standard, you're breaking the rules, too."
Lyle's gaze sharpened, his polite smile hardening ever so slightly.
"Unlike you, whoever you are, I actually have the right to be here."