Chapter 65 Chapter 65
CHAPTER 65
YAEL
The morning light slipped through my blinds, soft and golden, pulling me out of a deep, dreamless sleep. Liam and Jordan had left.
My phone buzzed on the nightstand.
Knox: morning princess. thinking about that dimple already. class later?
Me: yes. miss you already.
I rolled out of bed, threw on leggings and an oversized hoodie—his hoodie, actually—and headed to the bathroom to brush my teeth. When I came back, Mia was already up, sitting cross-legged on her bed, doing her makeup in a little mirror.
And wow. She looked good.
Like, really good. Her curls were bouncy, makeup on point with that glossy lip she only wore when she felt cute, and she was wearing a cropped sweater that showed just a sliver of skin.
“Someone’s glowing,” I said, raising an eyebrow.
Mia glanced up and grinned. “What can I say? Good sleep does wonders.”
“Or good thoughts,” I teased, flopping onto my bed. “Spill. Who’s got you all shiny and new?”
She laughed, capping her lip gloss. “Nobody. Just feeling myself today.”
“Liar,” I said, throwing a pillow at her. “You’ve got that flirty energy. Like you’re about to drop heart eyes on someone.”
She caught the pillow and hugged it to her chest. “Maybe I’m just practicing for when Mr. Right walks in.”
“Mr. Right better be tall, dark, and not an asshole,” I said.
Mia smirked. “Tall and dark sounds good. Asshole is negotiable.”
We both cracked up. It was nice hearing her laugh like that again. After last night’s breakdown, I’d been worried. But this morning? She seemed lighter.
Jordan and Liam met us outside the political science building, coffee cups in hand.
“Looking hot, Mi,” Jordan said, whistling.
Mia twirled dramatically. “Thank you, thank you.”
Liam rolled his eyes but smiled. “Don’t let it go to your head.”
“Too late,” Mia said, linking arms with me. “I’m unstoppable today.”
We filed into class and grabbed our usual seats in the middle row. Professor Harlan was already at the front, setting up slides about global trade policy or something equally thrilling.
I was halfway through doodling in my notebook when the door opened again.
Aaron walked in.
My brother. In our class. Looking like he belonged there.
He scanned the room, spotted us, and headed straight for the empty seats a row ahead.
Mia froze beside me.
Her cheeks went pink. Actual pink.
I turned to her slowly. “Mia.”
“What?” she whispered, eyes fixed on her notebook like it was the most interesting thing ever.
“You’re blushing.”
“I’m not.”
“You so are.”
She kicked my foot under the desk. “Shut up.”
Aaron dropped into a seat, nodded at a couple guys he knew, then glanced back at us. His eyes lingered on Mia for half a second longer than normal.
I smirked so hard my face hurt.
Class started, but I barely heard a word. I kept glancing between Aaron and Mia. She was pretending to take notes, but her pen hadn’t moved in five minutes. Aaron kept shifting in his seat, looking back once or twice.
By the time Professor Harlan wrapped up, I was dying.
Everyone started packing up. Aaron stood, slung his bag over his shoulder, and walked straight to us.
“Hey,” he said, pulling me into a quick hug. “Good to see you, kid.”
“Hey yourself,” I said, hugging back.
He fist-bumped Liam. “What’s up, man?”
“Living the dream,” Liam said dryly.
Jordan got a nod and a “Hey, Jordan.”
Then he turned to Mia.
“How you doing?” he asked, voice softer.
Mia looked up, cheeks still pink. “Good. Thanks.”
There was this moment—this weird, charged moment—where they just looked at each other. Like they shared a secret the rest of us weren’t in on.
I raised an eyebrow. “Okay, what’s this vibe?”
“Nothing,” Mia said quickly.
Aaron cleared his throat. “Just checking in.”
One of his football buddies called from the door. “Yo, Aaron! You coming?”
“Yeah, hold up!” Aaron called back. He looked at us. “Wait for me? Gotta ask you guys something quick.”
He jogged over to his friend.
The second he was gone, I turned to Mia.
“Spill. Now.”
“There’s nothing to spill,” she hissed.
“You’re blushing again.”
“Am not.”
Jordan leaned in. “You totally are.”
Liam grinned. “This is interesting.”
Mia groaned, hiding her face in her hands. “You guys suck.”
Before I could press more, some guy walked past our row—tall, backwards cap, typical frat energy. As he squeezed by Mia, his hand swung out and smacked her butt. Hard.
The crack echoed.
Mia went still.
Then she saw red.
She spun around and slapped him across the face so fast I barely saw it.
“Don’t you ever touch me again,” she said, voice low and deadly.
The guy stumbled back, hand to his cheek. “Whoa—chill—it was an accident!”
“Accident?” Mia stepped forward. “You think I’m stupid?”
People were staring now. Phones coming out.
I stood up, ready to back her, but then Aaron was there.
He’d jogged back the second he heard the noise. He stepped right in front of Mia, blocking the guy completely.
“Say that again,” Aaron said, voice ice cold. “Say it was an accident one more time. I dare you.”
The guy’s face went pale. Like, ghost pale.
“I—I didn’t mean—”
“You didn’t mean what?” Aaron asked, stepping closer. “To touch her without permission? To lie about it now?”
The guy’s mouth opened and closed like a fish.
“I’m sorry,” he finally stammered. “Really. It won’t happen again. I swear.”
Aaron didn’t move. Just stared him down until the guy was practically shaking.
“Apologize to her,” Aaron said.
The guy turned to Mia. “I’m sorry. Truly. It was stupid.”
Mia crossed her arms, chin high. “Don’t let it happen again.”
He nodded fast and basically ran out of the room.
Aaron turned to Mia, eyes scanning her face. “You okay?”
She nodded, but her hands were shaking a little. “Yeah. Thanks.”
He looked like he wanted to say more, but his friend called again.
“I gotta go,” he said. “Text me if you need anything.”
Mia gave a small smile. “I will.”
He glanced at me, nodded once, then left.
The second he was gone, I turned to Mia.
“Okay,” I said. “You are telling me everything. Right now.”
She laughed, shaky but real. “There’s nothing to tell.”
“Liar,” Jordan said.
“Big fat liar,” Liam added.
Mia rolled her eyes, but she was smiling.
And just like that, the drama wasn’t about me anymore.
It was about whatever was going on between my best friend and my brother.
And honestly? I was here for it.