Page 14 of Only When We Fall

She huffs a quiet laugh, flipping open her laptop. “Nice to meet you, Kai-who-clearly-did-not.”

I lean back in my seat, arms folded. I’m not trying hard. I don’t have to. The conversation just happens. It always does.

The lecturer finally starts speaking, and Rhea’s already typing like a machine, focused and efficient. I glance sideways, smirk still on my lips.

After class, I stretch and sling my backpack over one shoulder. Rhea has already packed up, with her earbuds in. She gives me a nod and a half-smile on her way out. We haven’t exchanged numbers, at least, not yet. I figure I’ll see her again.

The hallway is buzzing. Students spilling out of classrooms, lounging against lockers like we’re back in college. I cut through a group gathered around the vending machine, heading for the courtyard. I need food and caffeine, in that order.

I’m halfway through my sandwich on the campus green when it starts again.

“Hey, you’re Kai, right?”

I glance up. Blonde, oversized hoodie, knee-high socks. The kind of girl who always has someone carrying her books. She’s smiling, already sitting before I invite her to.

“Yeah,” I say, chewing. “And you are?”

“Lana. You live with Seb, don’t you? He’s in my art seminar.”

I give a vague nod. “Flatmate, yeah.”

She twirls a strand of hair around her finger and leans in like we’ve been friends for years. “He said you’re from London. Bet there’s way more going on there than there is here.”

I smirk. “Depends on what you’re into.”

Her laugh is too loud. “Well, if I ever want a tour, maybe you could –”

“Lana, right?” Another voice cuts in, a brunette, short bob, high cheekbones. “We’ve got the group meeting in ten.”

Lana rolls her eyes but stands. “Catch you later, Kai.”

I nod again, lips twitching. “Looking forward to it.”

They disappear, and no sooner do I lean back, soaking in a rare bit of sun, than two more girls approach. This time they’re holding coffees. One hands me an extra. “In case you didn’t have one.”

I raise my brows. “Thanks. Do I know you?”

“Nope,” she grins, already turning away. “You just looked like you needed one.”

They’re gone before I can answer, leaving me holding a flat white I didn’t ask for and honestly, kind of appreciate.

I take a sip and close my eyes. If it’s always gonna be like this, I’m never leaving. Yet, every time I close my eyes, I seeher. Twisting under flashing lights, laughing in that carefree way she’s got. I groan dramatically and a few girls sitting nearby giggle as I flop back.

Damn Emmie Carter.

Chapter Five

Emmie

I’m not sure what I expected from university. Maybe lots of work and pressure. But it’s nothing like that. I hardly have any lectures, and so I get to spend a lot of my day reading from the list they provided. And so, after a full week here, I’m relaxed and enjoying every second.

So when Landon suggests we head out on campus and hand our resumes out to coffee shops and bars, I’m fully on board. With the way we’re partying, I’m gonna need the extra cash flow.

Zara falls into step beside me, “I think every bar we go in to hand these out, we get a shot.”

I roll my eyes. “And when we’re three bars in, we’ll be shit faced and no one will employ us.”

Zara grins, “That’s a risk I’m willing to take.”

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