2
A few days later, Chloe was begging me again.
Liam had organized another gathering, specifically inviting Chloe and telling her to bring her roommates.
“Sarah, please, please, just come with me!”
Annoyed, I called out from my bunk, “Liam said you could bring your roommates, right? So everyone in the dorm can go. Why don’t you ask them? Whoever wants to go out with Liam can go.”
My words instantly piqued everyone else’s interest. Sure enough, Chloe had kept this a secret from them. Now that everyone knew, they were all buzzing. In the end, everyone in the dorm agreed to go – except for me.
Lucy even came over to try and convince me. “Everyone else is going, Sarah. Why don’t you just come along? We’re in college now, it’s time to experience some of that college life!”
Chapter 1
Lucy’s words made me hesitate. It had been almost a month since I’d come back, and I felt my feelings for Liam had settled, like still water. Maybe a calm approach would help me demythologize him.
Besides, this time, without the ring’s magical aura, and with my roommates all being gorgeous, no one would bother me. I could just go for a free meal.
Once I agreed, that day I didn’t even bother with makeup. I threw on a hoodie and jeans, pulled my hair into a ponytail, and headed out looking fresh and simple. Liam and his friends had already arrived. It was his buddies who came to pick us up. Just as I’d hoped, I went unnoticed. No one tried to strike up a conversation. I just quietly slipped into the restaurant.
Liam was seated in a corner. His clothes were simple, but his handsome face elevated even the most casual attire, making it look like haute couture. He was unden- iably good–looking, came from a wealthy family, and there wasn’t a single girl who saw him whose heart wouldn’t quicken.
Once I settled into my seat, I heard Chloe’s excited whisper. “Sarah, is Liam looking at us?”
I glanced up. My eyes met Liam’s. He was frowning, his gaze sharp and complex, as if trying to bore right through me. My stomach fluttered with an unfamiliar une- ase. “Yeah,” I mumbled, nodding. “He’s looking at you.”
I wasn’t much of a talker to begin with, and once the food arrived, I buried myself in my plate, tuning out all the chatter, utterly detached from the table’s social dan-
- ce.
That was until Lucy nudged me, an awkward flush creeping up her neck. “Sarah…”
I looked up. Everyone at the table was staring at me. Liam’s face was dark, a rigid sneer twisting his lips.
“Sarah,” Lucy whispered, “Liam just tried to say hello…”
Liam chuckled, a hint of mockery glinting in his eyes. “Chloe, is your friend starving? How long has it been since she ate?”
A hush fell over the table. Jake Hayes, one of Liam’s friends, was the first to react, quickly jumping in to ease the tension. “What are you talking about, Liam? You just worried there wasn’t enough food, right? Waiter, let’s get a few more dishes.”
Liam didn’t respond. I wiped my mouth, then stood up, offering a bland smile to everyone. “My apologies. I skipped lunch and was ravenous. I’ll take a penalty drink. You all just enjoy yourselves, don’t mind me.”
I grabbed a soda and chugged it. But Liam’s scowl only deepened. He pressed on, his voice dripping with condescension. “Drinking soda to toast us? That’s not
much commitment.”
