After meeting Christian and having a strange and intimate conversation with Kim, Dara was even more determined to focus on her studies. She came to East High to succeed, not to get involved in pointless drama. But the days passed, and Christian seemed to be everywhere— in the cafeteria, in the library, even during her morning jog. It was hard to ignore his presence.
One morning, Dara arrived early for her literature class. She liked to sit in the front row and immerse herself in conversations with the professor about classic novels. As she took her seat, she noticed a folded piece of paper on the desk. After hesitating for a moment, she looked around to make sure no one was looking at the paper before opening it.
The note read, "You have a quiet strength about you. Impressive. - C"
She raised an eyebrow. She didn't need to imagine who had written it. Christian Had found his way into her life again. She folded the note neatly, slipped it into her notebook,and tried to focus on the lecture. But the words kept her on edge and made her worry more than she wanted to admit.
Christian watched Dara from his seat at the back of the auditorium. He watched her read her notes and wrinkled her nose slightly between her eyebrows. Dara's indifference was an insurmountable challenge to him, and he relished the attention. Unlike the others flirting with him, she possessed a calm demeanor.
Jackson nudged him from the seat next to him. "What are you going to do? She's not biting."
"Patience," Christian replied, smiling. "She'll come around."
Jackson laughed. "Good luck with that. I have my own approach."
Christian's smile faded a little. "Don't get ahead of yourself, Jackson."
Meanwhile, Dara had developed a friendship with Chloe. Chloe's lively personality contrasted with Dara's quiet life. They often studied together, shared snacks, and talked about their very different upbringings.
One afternoon they were sitting in the library when Chloe noticed someone staring at Dara.
"You've got some admirers," she looked over her shoulders. "Christian keeps looking over here like you're a puzzle he can't solve."
Dara rolled her eyes. "I'm not interested."
Chloe moved closer, and she said, "Men like him are nothing but trouble. Trust me."
Dara nodded and thanked Chloe for her candor. She was grateful to have someone she could trust in this unfamiliar environment.
That evening, the "bad boys" gathered in their usual hangout. Jackson was excited. "I have an idea. Why don't we get someone to spy on her? You know, get close and report back."
Christian frowned. "That's too far away. It's just a bet, not a mission."
Jackson shrugged. "It's up to you to decide. But if you're serious, you need to act."
Kim, who had been silent until then, finally spoke. "She's not like the others. She has a boyfriend in Nigeria. It's not fair to meddle in her affairs."
Christian's jaw clenched. He didn't like Kim's sudden attention to Dara. "If things aren't working out for you, you can back off."
Kim met his gaze but said nothing more. The tension between the friends was palpable, but Jackson quickly diffused it with a joke and the conversation returned to lighter topics.
______
One night, Chloe invited Dara to a small party at a neighboring apartment. "It'll be fun," Chloe promised. "A few people, some music and nothing crazy."
Dara reluctantly agreed. As soon as she arrived, Dara regretted her decision.
The apartment was crowded and noisy, with loud music and a distinct odor of alcohol. Chloe disappeared into the crowd leaving Dara feeling out of place.
She found a quiet corner and sipped on a bottle of water, hoping the night would end soon. That's when Kim appeared, holding a drink and looking slightly uncomfortable himself.
"I didn't expect to see you here," he said in a friendly tone. Dara shrugged.
"That's not my line."
"Same thing," Kim admitted. He leaned against the wall, his gaze thoughtful. "You have good instincts. This place isn't exactly welcoming."
Dara watched him for a while. He seemed sincere, almost kind. "Then why are you here?"
Kim hesitated before answering. "Sometimes it is easier to blend in than to stand out."
Dara understood the meaning and nodded.
Their conversation flowed easily and she felt a brief moment of peace. The feeling didn't last long, however.
Across the room, Christian was watching them, narrowing his eyes. He didn't like that Dara felt so comfortable with Kim. This was his game, and he had to win. He took a step toward them, but stopped when Jackson grabbed his arm.
"Relax," Jackson said, smiling. "Let's see where this goes."
Christian reluctantly stayed where he was.
As Night fell, Dara prepared to leave. Chloe showed up, tipsy but insisting on a late-night snack on the way back to the dorm. As they walked, Dara couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong.
Chloe's behavior was starting to feel more like manipulation than friendship. "Thank you for coming with me tonight," Chloe said in an unusually chipper tone. "You're really starting to fit in here." Dara smiled forcedly, not knowing what to say in response.