Beatrix slouched in her chair, half-listening as the ethics professor—young, sharp-jawed, and far too good-looking for his own good—paced in front of the lecture hall. His sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, revealing strong forearms dusted with the kind of tattoos that belonged on a mercenary, not a philosophy expert. His voice was smooth, too, the kind that pulled you in even when you didn't care to listen.
Beatrix cared. Just not about the lecture.
Her mind drifted into dangerous territory, wondering exactly how much trouble she'd get in if she—
"Stop drooling," Reina muttered as she slipped into the seat beside her.
Beatrix blinked out of her haze, her cheeks warming. She glanced sideways, giving Reina a quick smile. "Hey."
Reina barely acknowledged her, her eyes fixed on the front of the room as if whatever superhero moral dilemma was being discussed was the most fascinating thing in the world.
Beatrix's smile faltered.
They hadn't spoken privately since their talk in the dorm yesterday. Beatrix had felt a connection—something real, something solid—but now Reina was acting like she barely existed. She tapped her pen against her notebook, the sharp click, click matching her growing irritation.
Fine. So much for heart-to-hearts.
When class finally ended, Beatrix grabbed her things and slung her bag over her shoulder. She was halfway to the door when Reina caught up to her, falling into step beside her.
"Beatrix."
She turned, eyebrows raised. "Thought you forgot I was alive."
Reina winced. "I didn't mean to—"
"Space out?" Beatrix interrupted with a smirk. "Was it the sex? That good, huh?"
Reina's eyes widened, her mouth opening as if to answer—
"Actually it was pretty great wasn't it love"
The familiar voice came from just behind them. Blair's voice, smooth, slow, and laced with satisfaction.
Before either of them could react, Blair stepped in, slipping an arm possessively around Reina's waist. She pulled her close, her lips brushing Reina's temple.
"Come by again tonight," Blair murmured, her grin wicked as she pressed a quick, deliberate kiss to Reina's cheek.
Reina froze.
Beatrix blinked, her mind stuttering to a halt.
Blair didn't wait for a response. She walked on, her fingers trailing briefly along Reina's hip before slipping away. Her friends followed, their laughter low and knowing as they moved through the hallway like wolves in silk.
The silence that followed felt like it stretched forever.
Beatrix stared at Reina.
Reina, for her part, looked stunned.
Beatrix's pulse thudded in her ears. "Wow," she said, her voice cutting. "Didn't take you long."
Reina flinched. "It's not—"
"Not what?" Beatrix's lips twisted into something sharp and bitter. "Don't lie to me. You went from spilling your heart to hopping into her bed? That's fast, even for you."
"That's not fair."
"Isn't it?"
They stood there, the tension between them thick and tangled. Reina opened her mouth to speak, but the words caught in her throat. She clenched her fists, swallowing hard.
"Forget it," Beatrix muttered.
She turned sharply and walked toward the cafeteria, her chest tight and her thoughts spiralling. She didn't look back to see if Reina followed.
Lunch was miserable.
Everyone in their dorm sat together, but no one spoke. The tension hung like a storm cloud, suffocating and heavy. Even Leo, usually the one to break awkward silences, kept his mouth shut.
Beatrix picked at her food, stabbing a piece of toast with unnecessary force. Her eyes flicked across the table, catching Reina's gaze briefly before both of them looked away.
Kian slouched beside her, texting lazily under the table. He didn't seem to notice or care about the mood.
Vivienne sat perfectly still, her fingers curled lightly around her fork. She barely touched her food, her gaze distant, her lips pressed into a thin, tight line. Her eyes kept drifting to a table across the room—Jason's table, where he sat laughing with a group of older students.
Her knuckles whitened as her grip tightened.
Beatrix noticed.
Vivienne's expression didn't change, but there was a faint, almost imperceptible twitch in her fingers, like she was fighting the urge to move.
Jason's laugh carried across the room, rich and charming.
Vivienne blinked slowly, her fork slipping from her hand.
No one else saw.
Beatrix narrowed her eyes.