Chapter 20 CHAPTER 20

Chapter 20 CHAPTER 20
ZARA

I woke up to the soft morning light filtering through the thin curtains of my dorm room, and for a split second, I was surprised to find myself here. My own bed, my own messy desk piled with textbooks and half-empty notebooks, the faint scent of Kate’s vanilla body spray lingering in the air. How did I get back?

The events of last night crashed over me like a wave. I sat up slowly, rubbing my eyes, a small smile tugging at my lips despite the chaos still swirling in my head.

It was Tuesday, and we had lectures in the afternoon, which meant I had the whole morning to talk to Kate. Kate was already up, humming to herself as she brushed her hair in front of the mirror. Her dark curls bounced with each stroke, and she caught my eye in the reflection, grinning like she always did when she sensed gossip brewing.

“Morning, sleepyhead,” she said, turning around. “You came in super late last night. I hope you are okay now?” she asked and I laughed nervously and patted the space beside me on the bed.

“Come sit, Kate. You’re not going to believe what happened with Dylan. Let me tell you everything”

She dropped her brush and practically bounced over, crossing her legs under her as she settled in. “Dylan? Oh my God, Zara, start from the beginning. Don’t leave anything out because I have been waiting for you to actually say something about it” Kate said and I smiled

I took a deep breath, pulling my knees up to my chest. The memories felt so fresh, like they’d happened minutes ago instead of hours.

“Okay, so last night I went over to his place as we planned but to babysit him but something happened,” I said and Kate’s eyes sparkled with excitement.

I continued, my voice dropping a little as I recounted every detail. “I was in his sitting room, arguing that I wanted to go home, when suddenly we heard his friends coming back early. They were loud, joking around outside, and I panicked. I mean, I wasn’t supposed to be there like that. Dylan just looked at me with that calm smirk of his hand and told me to stay but I couldn't.” I said and paused

“So I had to hide in the wardrobe.” I finished andKate burst out laughing, covering her mouth. “You hid in the wardrobe? Like actual hide-and-seek? Zara, you’re kidding!”

“I’m dead serious!” I said, giggling along with her. It actually sounds funny now, talking about it.

“It was so tight in there, all dark and smelling like his clothes, fresh laundry and that woody cologne he wears. I could hear everything through the slats. His friends barged in, asking where he’d been, cracking jokes about girls. I was holding my breath the whole time, thinking that if they opened the door I’d literally die of embarrassment.

Dylan played it cool, though. Told them he was tired and needed to crash early but they were there for hours. Eventually, they left, but by then it was too late to sneak out without running into someone else in the hall.”

I paused, feeling my cheeks warm at the next part. Kate leaned in closer, sensing there was more.

“So what happened after they left?” she asked.

I bit my lip. “I came out of the wardrobe, and I decided to go home because it was already dark,” I said and continued.

I was actually going to leave but then I suddenly felt weak and collapsed while he helped me up. Next thing I know, I actually slept in his room. On his bed, while he took the couch. Nothing happened, I swear, but… I slept there.”

Kate’s eyes widened like saucers. She squealed so loudly I had to shush her, laughing as she grabbed my arm and shook it

. “You slept in Dylan’s room? Zara! That’s huge! He doesn’t let anyone close like that. The guy’s like a fortress. And you spent the night? Oh my God, this is next-level.”

Her reaction made my stomach flip with a mix of thrill and nerves. I told her everything else, how Dylan had driven me back to the bustop making sure no one saw, the way he actually looked at me under the streetlight with something soft in his eyes that I couldn’t quite name.

The conversation flowed easily between us, with Kate interrupting every few sentences with gasps or questions.

By the time I finished, the morning sun had climbed higher, casting warm rectangles across our room floor. I glanced at the clock; we still had a couple of hours before the afternoon lecture on economic theories, plenty of time to overthink.

Kate leaned back against the headboard, studying me with that knowing smile of hers.

“You know, I wouldn’t be surprised if Dylan fell for you, Zara. Like, actually fell. The way you said he actually cared for you, I don't think he was faking it. I'm afraid he is going to keep acting nice to you now. That guy doesn't allow girls to sleep in his place.” Kate said and I swallowed.

Her words hung in the air, sweet and dangerous at the same time. I felt a flutter in my chest, but I quickly shook my head, pulling the blanket tighter around my shoulders. “No, Kate. Don’t even go there. Dylan warned me. I'm serious.”

“Dylan warned you?” She raised an eyebrow.

“Yeah,” I said, my voice quieter now. “He told me I should keep things strictly professional. ‘Don’t fall in love with him, Zara,’ he said and I quite

Kate frowned slightly, though the excitement didn’t fully leave her face. “I don't believe that shit because that actually made him more suspicious,” Kate said.

I sighed, staring at the ceiling where a small crack snaked across the paint like a reminder that nothing was perfect.

“Maybe. But I can’t ignore the warning. Last night felt somehow like him taking me home? What if I read too much into the way he smiled at me or how he made sure I was comfortable? I have a crush on him, Kate. More than I should after one night. But falling? That’s a risk I’m not sure I can take.”

We sat in comfortable silence for a moment, the kind only best friends can share. Kate reached over and squeezed my hand.

“Whatever happens, I’ve got your back. Just be careful with your heart, okay? And tell me every single update from now on. No hiding in wardrobes without full reports.” she said and I laughed again, the tension easing a bit.

“Deal,” I said and we actually bet.

Hmm, Kate.

As we got ready for the day, I brushed my teeth and picked out the outfit for the lecture. Kate grabbed some snacks and put them in our bag..

By the time we headed out for class, the campus paths were filling with students chatting and rushing between buildings. We head in before the lecturer comes in.