Page 13 of Only When We Fall

Because if Kai didn’t go to Uni. Then who the hell did I see last night? Am I going mad?

Kai

I wake up to a dry mouth, a headache, and someone breathing against my shoulder.

For a second, I don’t move. I just stare up at the unfamiliar ceiling, trying to piece together where the hell I am. The smell of weed still clings to the air, mixing with stale whiskey and the faint trace of someone’s coconut shampoo.Alex.

I glance down. Her blonde hair is a tangled mess on the pillow next to me, her arm draped lazily across my stomach. One leg’s half over mine, and the duvet’s kicked down around our ankles.

Right.

Bits of the night drift back. The music, the bottle, the dares, the kiss. The way she climbed onto my lap like she belonged there. I didn’t stop her. I didn’t even hesitate. And now, I’m in one of the spare bedrooms. Which means even in my subconscious, I knew I didn’t want her in my bed.

I gently lift Alex’s arm and slide out from under her, careful not to wake her. She stirs but doesn’t open her eyes. I grab my hoodie off the back of a chair and tug it over my head, then slip my shorts on as I head for the kitchen.

The flat is a mess with plastic cups on every surface, a bottle of Jack Daniels tipped over on the counter, a half-eaten pizza box on the floor. Someone’s passed out on the sofa, snoring softly.

I pour myself a glass of water and lean against the counter, trying to shake the haze.

It’s not guilt. Not really. Alex is hot. Fun. She doesn’t ask questions. Doesn’t look at me like she expects anything deeper.

And yet, that one moment last night, that weird flash – a girl in the middle of the room. Dancing. Spinning. Laughing like she meant it.

Emmie.

It couldn’t have been. No way. Wrong city. Wrong crowd.

But I’d have sworn –

I press the cool glass to my forehead and close my eyes. I don’t need this. I don’t need her in my head again.

I drain the water and grab my phone, scrolling through until I find her name.Little Rebel.My thumb hovers over the call button, my heart hammering in my chest. And then I shove it away again, groaning in irritation.

It wasn’t her. Emmie is gone. Done. And I’m here, surrounded by girls that want me. Why the fuck am I even wasting my time thinking about her?

She made her choice. And I’m making mine.

I make it to my first class with a minute to spare, sliding into a seat near the back like I’ve done this a hundred times before. My head’s still a little foggy, but I can fake alertness well enough.

The room fills up slowly with hungover students dragging themselves in, coffee cups in hand, backpacks hanging off one shoulder. I scroll idly through my phone until someone drops into the seat beside me.

She’s got long dark hair, gold hoops, and a notebook already open, pen tapping against the page impatiently. She glances over, catching me watching her, and lifts an eyebrow.

“What?” she asks, amused.

I grin. “Nothing. Just wondering how you’re already more organised than me and it’s barely ten.”

She shrugs one shoulder. “Some of us came here to study.”

“Ouch,” I say, pressing a hand to my chest like she’s wounded me. “You always this savage before coffee?”

She cracks a smile despite herself. “Only with people who stare.”

I offer my hand. “Kai.”

She takes it, firm handshake. “Rhea.”

“Nice to meet you, Rhea-who-came-here-to-study.”

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