Chapter 12 CHAPTER 12
CHAPTER 12
YAEL
The hall was packed. Voices blended into one loud hum, papers flipping, chairs screeching, laughter bouncing off the walls.
Jordan and I stopped by the doorway, both of us wide-eyed.
“Damn,” she muttered under her breath. “This club looks serious.”
“Yeah,” I said, clutching my file tighter. “They usually are. Knox takes it like a religion.”
“That’s the guy you were avoiding when we walked in? The one in the video? The popular one rii?”
I froze. “What?”
Maya snorted beside me. “She noticed.”
Jordan smirked. “Hard not to. You looked like you saw a ghost.”
I glared at Maya, who tried—and failed—to keep a straight face. “Don’t even start.”
Jordan tilted her head, her hazel eyes sharp but amused. “What’s the story?”
Before I could speak, Maya leaned close and whispered loudly.
Jordan laughed—rich and carefree, the kind that drew attention. “Move a little. You wanna kiss me or something?”
Maya blinked. “Maybe?”
Liam groaned beside us. “Jesus, not again.”
Jordan threw her head back laughing, and I bit my lip, smiling despite myself. There was something magnetic about her—boyish charm mixed with soft confidence. She had a cap turned backward, sleeves rolled, and an easy smirk that screamed trouble.
Before any of us could respond, someone at the front banged the gavel.
Knox.
He stood tall behind the desk, dark hair slightly messy, shirt rolled to his elbows, the picture of calm authority. My stomach twisted.
His eyes flicked across the room—just once—and landed on me. I looked away immediately, pretending to rummage through my folder.
“Alright,” his voice cut through the chatter. “We’ll start today with open debates. Teams of two. Topics will be random. Let’s go.”
We all shuffled into seats. Jordan sat beside me, whispering, “This is gonna be fun.”
Maya and Liam ended up behind us, whispering nonstop. The air buzzed with adrenaline as people volunteered for topics ranging from international policies to economic ethics.
Knox called names, pairing random people. My heartbeat picked up when I realized… he was scanning the room again.
Please not me. Please—
“Yael.”
The room stilled a little. My name hit harder than I expected. He didn’t say princess. He didn’t even smirk. Just… Yael.
I lifted my chin. “Yes?”
“Take the stand. We’ll go one-on-one.”
Of course.
Jordan whispered, “Go kill him.”
Maya gave a dramatic gasp. “No one’s ever beaten him. Ever.”
I stood anyway. “Let’s change that.”
The room murmured, and I could hear a few seniors muttering things like ‘she’s dead’ and ‘Knox doesn’t go easy’.
I walked to the front, every step echoing like a countdown. He leaned casually against the desk, arms crossed, his lips quirked—not mocking, not amused—curious.
“The topic,” Knox said, his voice smooth, “—is Should emotional reasoning have a place in political decision-making?”
Someone from the crowd whistled. “Oh, damn. Deep one.”
I took the podium opposite him. “You’re taking opposition, I assume?”
He gave a faint nod. “Naturally.”
Of course he would. Knox was logic, structure, control. I was instinct and chaos.
I took a breath. “Then I’ll start.”
He gestured with a hand. “Ladies first.”
I ignored the flutter that stirred in my stomach at the way he said it.
“Politics isn’t just logic,” I began. “It’s human. It affects people, families, livelihoods. You can’t separate emotion from policy when it’s emotion that drives people to fight for change.”
Knox tilted his head. “Emotion clouds judgment. Policies made from empathy often lack long-term efficiency. You can’t run a country on feelings.”
I smirked. “And you can’t lead without understanding them. Numbers might stabilize economies, but compassion keeps people from revolting.”
Murmurs spread through the audience. He straightened slightly, eyes glinting with interest.
“Compassion,” he repeated. “Tell me, Yael, how do you quantify that? Do you put empathy in GDP? Or maybe calculate happiness into the fiscal budget?”
A few chuckles rippled around.
I smiled tightly. “You don’t calculate it, you feel it. And if you can’t, maybe you shouldn’t be in power.”
The club howled.
Knox’s jaw flexed. “So, leaders should make decisions based on emotion? That’s not democracy—that’s chaos.”
“Chaos births revolution,” I shot back. “And revolutions birth progress.”
Jordan whispered, “Holy shit,” behind me.
Knox’s lips twitched—the closest thing to a smile I’d seen on him since that first day. “You’re confusing rebellion with reform, Yael.”
“Maybe because they look the same from the start,” I countered, voice rising with heat. “Every reform was once rebellion. You just forgot that.”
He paused, eyes narrowing slightly. For a moment, I swore he looked… proud.
Then: “You’re idealistic.”
“And you’re jaded.”
The crowd roared. Some even stood up, clapping and cheering.
He smirked now, openly, leaning forward a little. “You think passion wins arguments?”
I lifted my chin. “No. I think truth does. And right now, you’re standing on the wrong side of it.”
Someone shouted, “DAMN!” Another yelled, “She’s cooking him alive!”
Even Maya jumped up clapping. “GO PRINCESS—uh, I mean YAEL!”
Knox’s eyes flicked to her, then back to me. The corner of his mouth curved again—this time almost like a challenge. “You think you’ve won?”
“I know I have.”
He raised a brow. “Prove it.”
So I did. I laid out studies, historical examples, and humanitarian cases that made the room hum in stunned silence. Every rebuttal he threw, I turned back sharper.
For twenty straight minutes, it wasn’t just a debate. It was a duel. A storm of words, pride, and buried tension.
By the time it ended, my chest was tight, my pulse racing. Knox dropped his pen on the table, eyes still locked on mine.
The president of the senior committee—an older girl with glasses—finally stood and said, almost laughing, “Alright… I think we have a winner.”
“YAEL!” the room chanted.
Applause exploded. Chairs scraped back. Maya and Liam nearly tackled me in a hug.
Jordan whistled. “Holy shit, remind me never to argue with you.”
I laughed breathlessly, adrenaline still burning through me. “Deal.”
Knox leaned back against the table, arms crossed again. His smirk was slow, dangerous. “Congratulations,” he said quietly when I passed him.
“Thanks,” I muttered, brushing past.
His voice followed me, low enough for only me to hear. “Guess the princess grew claws.”
I stopped, turning my head slightly. “Guess the king just got dethroned.”
The crowd was still loud behind us, but for a heartbeat—it was just us. His gaze on mine, unreadable. A flicker of something I couldn’t name passed between us before he turned away.
Jordan looped her arm through mine, grinning. “You didn’t tell me debate club was this entertaining.”
Maya giggled. “Girl, this is drama central. You just witnessed history.”
Liam sighed dramatically. “Also, Yael might’ve just started an academic war.”
I shrugged, smiling to myself. “Then let’s make it legendary.”
Maya was still squealing about the debate as we exited the hall.
“Yael, you killed it,” she gushed. “Like literally—verbal homicide.”
Jordan laughed beside her. “I feel bad for the guy. You didn’t even let him breathe.”
“Please,” Liam said, slinging his bag over his shoulder. “Knox can handle it. His ego’s bulletproof.”
“Maybe not anymore,” Maya said, smirking.
I rolled my eyes, trying not to smile. “Can we stop talking about him before someone resurrects my blood pressure?”
Maya grinned. “Fine, fine. Speaking of pressure… there’s a match today!”
“A match?” Jordan asked.
“Football,” Maya replied, bouncing a little. “Our school versus Crown University. It’s gonna be huge. Everyone’s going.”
Jordan’s eyes lit up. “I love football.”
Liam groaned. “Great. Two hyper women to scream in my ears.”
Maya flicked his arm. “You’ll survive.”
Before I could argue, Maya grabbed my arm. “Come on, Yael! Let’s go before the crowd fills up.”
And just like that, I was dragged toward the stadium.
The field lights blazed against the dusk sky, painting everything gold and electric. The stands were already alive with chatter and chants. Vendors called out popcorn, soda, hotdogs—everything smelling of butter and heat and youth.
Jordan bought us popcorn—three large bags—and handed me one. “You need sugar. You looked like you’d fainted after that debate.”
I snorted. “Thanks, coach.”
We found seats mid-row. Maya waved a flag in excitement while Liam leaned back with his arms crossed, pretending not to care but secretly watching everything.
The cheerleaders were on the track, bright pom-poms flashing. The music thumped.
“Look,” Maya whispered, pointing toward the tunnel.
The team was coming out.
I spotted Aaron first—tall, broad-shouldered, in his black-and-gold jersey. He looked confident, like the entire field belonged to him.
And beside him… Knox.
Maya’s jaw dropped. “Wait—Knox is on the team?”
“Of course he is,” Liam said. “Team captain. Aaron’s vice.”
Jordan raised a brow. “Hold on. Those two? On the same team? The ones who glare like they’re about to stab each other?”
“Yup,” Maya said, still staring. “The very same.”
Jordan tilted her head. “Interesting.”
The whistle blew and the match began. Within minutes, it was chaos—boots pounding, crowds chanting, the ball slicing through air.
Aaron intercepted with clean precision, passing to Knox, who maneuvered around an opponent like it was child’s play. Then, as if telepathic, Knox sent it back, and Aaron scored.
The stands exploded.
“WHAT THE HELL,” Maya yelled over the noise. “THEY’RE LIKE BROTHERS!”
“Enemies with chemistry,” Jordan said, smirking. “That’s rare.”
Liam leaned in. “Their rivalry doesn’t touch the field. They’re lethal together when it’s inter-university matches. It’s like watching war generals cooperate.”
Jordan nodded slowly. “That’s a man right there,” she said, eyes on Knox.
Maya gasped dramatically. “Ma’am, don’t make me fight you.”
Jordan laughed. “Relax, I don’t do him”
“Good,” Maya said, clutching her popcorn like a weapon. “He’s all hers.” She jerked her thumb toward me.
I choked. “What?”
Jordan blinked. “Ohhh. Oh.” She smirked.
I looked away, heat creeping up my neck. “Can we not—”
Then Aaron scored again. The stadium went feral.
Maya jumped up, screaming. “THAT’S MY BOY!”
I clapped too, laughing despite myself. Even Jordan was on her feet cheering, tossing popcorn in the air.
By the time the final whistle blew, the scoreboard flashed victory—our university won.
Everyone jumped up, screaming, whistling, chanting. The cheerleaders ran onto the field, pom-poms waving like confetti.
And then I saw it—
The head cheerleader ran straight into Knox’s arms. He caught her easily, spinning her once before she leaned in and kissed him.
The crowd cheered even louder.
My stomach twisted.
I didn’t even realize I was holding my breath until Maya nudged me. “Yael? You good?”
I forced a smile. “Yeah. Just… loud crowd.”
Jordan leaned closer, grinning. “Jealousy looks good on you.”
I glared at her. “Shut up.”
But she only smirked and took another mouthful of popcorn.
Before I could say more, I noticed Aaron jogging toward the stands. Directly toward me.
“Oh no,” I muttered. “No, no—Aaron, don’t—”
Too late.
He jumped over the barrier with that big smile that always melted people—except right now, I was too stunned to move.
Without saying a word, he grabbed his jersey and pulled it off, handing it to me.
The crowd noticed. A wave of “awwws” and whistles rose around us.
Aaron grinned. “Wear it.”
I blinked. “What?”
“Just do it.”
Before I could argue, he slipped it over my head himself. The scent of sweat, grass, and his cologne hit instantly.
The crowd went wild again, chanting his name.
My face burned. “Aaron!” I hissed. “People will think—”
He just laughed and pulled me into a hug. “Don’t care.”
He waved at everyone before jogging back to his team.
Maya was half-laughing, half-gasping. “Oh my God, the crowd thinks you’re his girlfriend.”
Jordan was grinning. “This is gold. Absolute gold.”
We left the stadium after the celebrations died down, still buzzing from the win. I pulled off the jersey the second we stepped outside.
“This thing stinks,” I said, wrinkling my nose.
Jordan snorted. “You mean the victory perfume?”
Maya laughed so hard she nearly dropped her drink. “She said perfume.”
I shoved the jersey into my tote. “Never again.”
We walked across campus, streetlights flickering over our heads. The night was cool and smelled of wet grass and fireworks.
“So,” Liam said, kicking a pebble, “where’s your dorm, Jordan?”
She pointed toward the east wing. “Mine’s in the athlete complex. Close to the track field.”
Maya gasped. “Athlete dorms? The elite zone?”
Jordan shrugged. “I mean, I was on the basketball team at my old uni. They transferred me here for my course.”
We reached her dorm and froze.
The building looked like a mini hotel—modern glass panels, ivy creeping up the sides, and a lounge visible through the window with leather couches and a coffee bar.
Maya’s jaw dropped. “This looks like a five-star suite!”
Jordan chuckled. “It’s alright.”
“Alright?” Liam echoed. “Girl, my dorm doesn’t even have functioning air conditioning.”
Maya pouted. “And we share bathrooms.”
I snorted. “This place is another planet.”
Jordan opened her door, and even the hallway smelled of vanilla and citrus. “Wanna come in?”
Maya didn’t hesitate. “Yes!”
We stepped inside, and my jaw nearly hit the floor.
Her room was huge—bigger than mine. A queen-sized bed with grey sheets, a glass desk with a gaming monitor, photos on the wall, and a balcony that overlooked the campus field.
Liam let out a low whistle. “You sure this isn’t a luxury suite?”
Jordan grinned. “You guys act like I live in a palace.”
Maya flopped on her bed. “Because you do!”
I walked to the balcony, pushing the curtain aside. From here, I could still see the stadium lights fading into the night. The sound of cheering was distant now.
Jordan came beside me. “You were quiet back there,” she said softly.
“Was I?” I asked, still looking out.
“Yeah.” She nudged me lightly. “You looked like you were gonna punch that cheerleader.”
I laughed, low and short. “Maybe.”
She smiled. “Don’t worry. You totally won the night. Debated a genius, watched your team win, got a jersey from the vice captain… I’d call that victory.”
I turned to her, lips curving. “Maybe you’re right.”
We were still sitting around Jordan’s ridiculously perfect dorm room when Maya suddenly gasped so loud I almost spilled my drink.
“Oh my God.”
I blinked. “What?”
She turned her phone toward us, eyes wide. “The group chat is going insane.”
Jordan tilted her head. “Group chat?”
Maya was scrolling fast, her thumb a blur. “The school group chat! Everyone’s losing their minds—Yael, they think you’re Aaron’s girlfriend!”
“What?” I nearly choked on my soda. “You’re joking.”
Liam looked up from the trophy on Jordan’s shelf, eyebrows raised. “Well… technically, he did give you
his jersey in front of the whole crowd.”
Maya read aloud dramatically, “‘Yo, did y’all see number 10 give his jersey to that fine girl?’ ‘He hugged her!’ ‘Aaron got a girlfriend??’”
I groaned, covering my face. “Kill me now.”
Maya laughed. “You’re basically campus royalty already.”
“Wait,” I said, lowering my hand. “What group chat?”
Silence.
Maya and Liam turned to me like I’d just confessed a crime.
“What do you mean what group chat?” Maya said slowly.
“I mean exactly that. What group chat?”
Maya’s jaw dropped. “Yael, it’s the school group chat! Everyone’s in it!”
“I’m not.”
“I came after you!” she said, throwing her hands up. “How do I know and you don’t?”
Liam chuckled. “Classic Yael.”
Jordan blinked, awkward. “Umm… I’m new, so I have no clue what y’all are talking about.”
“Okay,” Maya said, fingers already flying across her screen. “I’m adding both of you. Immediate action.”
My phone pinged a second later.
📱 New group added: UST Campus Central 🐾🔥
My notifications blew up in seconds. Memes. Gossip. Pictures. Someone had literally posted a slow-motion video of Aaron putting the jersey on me.
“Oh my God,” I whispered.
Maya grinned. “You’re famous.”
Jordan squinted at her phone. “This chat’s chaos.”
Liam leaned over her shoulder. “You get used to it.”
“Guys!” Maya yelled again, pointing at her screen. “There’s a party tonight!”
“No.” I said instantly.
“Yes!” she countered instantly.
Jordan laughed. “That was fast.”
“I’m serious,” I said. “No parties, no noise, no random—”
“Yael,” Maya interrupted, “it’s the semester kickoff party! The official one! Everyone will be there. Including…” she wiggled her brows, “…certain people.”
I glared. “If you say Knox, I swear—”
“Knox,” she sang.
I groaned.
“Pleaseee,” she begged, dragging the word like it was sacred. “Pretty please. I can’t go alone. Jordan’s new. Liam’s… well, Liam.”
Liam frowned. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
She ignored him. “We have to go, Yael. Just for a little while.”
I hesitated.
Jordan shrugged. “Might be fun.”
Maya clasped her hands together dramatically. “Please.”
I sighed, defeated. “Fine.”
She screamed like she’d won a lottery. “YES! Oh my God. I’ll bring the outfits. Don’t move.”
And she was gone before I could even process it.
The door slammed behind her, leaving the three of us in silence.
Liam cleared his throat. “She’s a hurricane.”
Jordan chuckled. “She’s adorable.”
I exhaled, sinking into the couch. “She’s chaos with lip gloss.”
Jordan laughed and leaned back beside Liam. “So… what sport do you play?”
“Me?” he said, glancing up from the decor. “Used to play basketball in high school. Got into college through debate instead.”
Her eyes widened. “You debate too?”
He nodded. “Yup. You think I followed y'all there for fun?”
“Me too.” She grinned. “And basketball.”
Liam’s eyebrows shot up. “You follow any teams?”
“Don’t even get me started,” Jordan said, eyes lighting up. “I’m obsessed with the Lakers—”
“Same,” he said immediately, sitting up straighter.
“No way,” she said, laughing. “You’re lying.”
“I swear. Been watching since I was thirteen.”
They started talking like they’d known each other for years—stats, players, old matches, team drama. I sat there watching, half-smiling.
Maya burst in ten minutes later, hair flying, carrying three large bags like she was running a fashion boutique.
“Okay!” she yelled dramatically, dropping everything on the bed. “Outfits secured. Time to transform you mortals.”
Jordan eyed the bags. “That’s a lot of glitter.”
Maya ignored her, pulling out clothes like a magician. “Okay, Jordan—this.” She held up a black mini dress with mesh sleeves. “And Yael—this.” She grinned and lifted something red and silky.
I blinked. “That’s not a dress. That’s a crime.”
Maya gasped. “It’s stunning!”
“It’s barely there.”
Jordan snorted. “Oh hell no.”
“Exactly,” I said, folding my arms.
Maya frowned. “You two have no taste.”
Liam laughed from the couch. “I agree with them. That red thing looks dangerous.”
Maya pointed at him. “No opinions from you, Mr. Hoodie and Jeans.”
He raised his hands in surrender. “Fine. I’ll go get dressed.”
When he left, Maya turned to Jordan. “Alright, come here.”
Jordan sighed but obeyed, sitting in front of her.
Within minutes, Maya had whipped out her mini makeup kit like she was on a mission. “Your bone structure? Sick. We’re doing bronzed queen energy.”
Jordan rolled her eyes but smiled. “You’re scarily good at this.”
“I know,” Maya said proudly, blending foundation like an artist.
I watched, trying not to grin. Jordan’s short hair framed her face perfectly, and when Maya was done, she looked effortlessly hot.
Then Maya turned to me. “Your turn.”
“Do I have a choice?”
“No.”
I groaned and sat down. She started with concealer, eyeshadow, and a lip tint that made me look alive.
“Wow,” Jordan muttered. “You clean up good.”
I laughed. “Thanks, I guess.”
When Maya was done, she clapped once. “Okay! Outfit change. Jordan, go!”
Jordan changed first behind the folding screen. When she came out, Maya gasped. “Girl, you look so good!”
Jordan laughed, tugging at the hem. “I feel naked.”
“You’re hot naked,” Maya said bluntly.
“Not helping,” Jordan said, but she was smiling.
Then it was my turn.
I stared at the red dress like it was plotting something. “If I die, it’s on you,” I told Maya.
“Worth it,” she chirped.
When I came out, Jordan froze. Maya’s jaw dropped.
“Holy—” Jordan said softly.
“Hell,” Maya finished for her. “Yael.”
“What?” I frowned.
“You—look—insane.”
I looked down at myself. The dress hugged every curve—tight at the waist, soft at the neckline, and the color made my skin glow. My hair fell loose over my shoulders, and for a second, even I was speechless.
“This is illegal,” I muttered.
Jordan nodded. “Arrest-worthy.”
Maya squealed. “I’m gonna cry. My girls look too hot.”
We ended up laughing, posing, and taking selfies even though I kept groaning. Maya made us do heart signs, peace signs, mirror shots—she was unstoppable.
“Please stop,” I said, laughing so hard I almost dropped my phone.
“Never!” she said, snapping another photo.
The door opened just then, and Liam walked in.
He stopped dead.
His jaw actually dropped.
Maya smirked. “Well?”
He blinked, eyes flicking from me to Jordan—and then just… stayed on Jordan.
Jordan shifted, awkward. “What?”
“Nothing,” he said quickly, scratching the back of his neck. “You just—uh—look different.”
Maya grinned. “He means hot.”
Liam glared at her. “Didn’t say that.”
“Didn’t have to,” she sing-songed.
I tried not to laugh.
Maya twirled once. “Okay! Squad ready?”
“Wait,” Jordan said. “We’re actually doing this?”
“Yes,” Maya said. “You’re not backing out now.”
I sighed, glancing at the mirror one last time. I looked… good. Scary good. And somewhere deep down, I wondered what Knox would say if he saw me like this.
I pushed the thought away immediately.
“Let’s just go,” I muttered, grabbing my purse.
Maya linked her arm through mine. “Oh, we’re gonna slay tonight.”
Jordan rolled her eyes but smiled. “God help us.”