The drive back to the dorm was quiet, city lights blurring past the Bentley's windows. Chloe leaned back, arms folded, eyes closed—forcing herself to calm down.
"You okay now?" Samantha asked softly.
Chloe exhaled. "Yeah. Cars can be fixed. My temper? Not so easy."
Adejo parked near the dorm. "Rest first. Today's been enough already."
Inside the room, Chloe collapsed onto the bed. "Okay, I officially love this place."
Samantha smiled. "You've been here less than an hour."
"We're roommates. It's allowed." Chloe suddenly sat up. "Oh—did I tell you about the Freshman Party?"
Samantha blinked. "Already?"
"This weekend. Big one. You're coming."
Sam hesitated. "I don't really do parties."
"You do now," Chloe grinned.
It's Weekend the party was already loud when they arrived music thumping, lights flashing, freshmen everywhere. Samantha scanned the crowd, uneasy.
"This is… a lot."
"Relax," Chloe said. "Just noise."
A few steps behind them, Adejo blended in perfectly hoodie, jeans, watchful eyes. Samantha glanced back once. He gave a subtle nod.
I'm here.
She felt safer instantly.
Then Chloe froze.
"…No way."
A guy named Nathan who she met few days ago stood nearby, laughing. When he saw Chloe, his smile sharpened.
"Well, well," he said, walking over. "Looks like we meet again."
Chloe's fists clenched.
"Did you like the present I left you?" Nathan added smugly.
Samantha narrowed her eyes. "So it was you."
"Obviously."
Chloe stepped forward, anger flashing dangerous and controlled.
Nathan chuckled. "Easy"
Chloe lunged.
Samantha grabbed her arm instantly. "Chloe. Don't."
"Let me go," Chloe growled. "I'll end him."
Samantha leaned in, calm but firm. "You know what happens when you lose control."
Chloe froze.
Only few people knew this but Samantha and Chloe were trained since when they were five.
Karate. Taekwondo. Wing Chun.
Black belts.
And Chloe angry was not something to joke about.
Across the room, Adejo subtly shifted ready.
Alex suddenly stepped in. "Nathan. Stop."
Nathan scoffed. "What? It was a prank."
"You're pushing too far," Alex said flatly, then turned to the girls. "I'm sorry. He doesn't know when to quit."
Nathan's grin faded just a little. "You're trained," he muttered.
Chloe smiled coldly. "Very."
"This ends here," Samantha said.
Nathan raised his hands. "Truce. For now."
Alex nodded apologetically. "I promise it won't happen again."
That was when Samantha really looked at him.
Very Handsome. Calm. Kind. Steady.
Her heart skipped.
"Oh," Chloe muttered, noticing instantly.
"I'm Alex," he said, smiling. "By the way."
"Samantha," she replied too softly.
Nathan rolled his eyes. "This is getting interesting."
Later, the tension faded. The three of them talked in a quieter corner. Alex was easy to talk to smart, funny, genuine. Samantha laughed more than she expected.
Chloe noticed something important.
Sam wasn't just relaxed.
She was glowing.
Across the party, Nathan stood alone, staring at the stars with a bottle of Alcohol in hand silent for once.
Back in the dorm, Chloe locked the door and turned slowly.
"So," she said, grinning. "How long were you planning to stare at him like that?"
"I wasn't," Samantha said quickly.
Chloe mimicked wide eyes. "Sam, you had googly eyes with sparkles."
Samantha buried her face in a pillow. "Stop."
"You're in love."
"I'm not."
"You are."
"…I might like him," Samantha admitted softly.
Chloe smiled warmly. "Good. You deserve that."
Samantha lay back, staring at the ceiling, Alex's smile replaying in her mind.
Outside, the night was quiet.
But for Samantha Valentine
something new had begun.