“I care… because we’re both students of the same institution.”

His voice was quiet but firm, carrying just enough weight to hold Maria’s fragile and shattered heart together. She looked up, startled.

He didn’t look back as he stood, brushing his palms on his trousers and walking away through the empty garden. His shoulders were broad and confident, his pace steady, almost regal.

Maria sat fazed; her hands balled into fists on her lap. She didn’t know if she wanted to cry or laugh. In her chest, a strange and foreign warmth bloomed.

***

Maria pushed open the door to her dorm room, her heart still fluttering. Her roommates’ giggles barely registered in her ears this time.

She walked straight to her narrow bed, flung herself down, and hugged her pillow as if it were the last thing in the world she could cling to. Her heart was pounding so loud she was sure they could hear it.

"But… what just happened to me?" she whispered, half in disbelief.

And then she laughed. Quietly at first, then louder, her laugh growing into strange, manic bursts.

“Hahaha… ha-ha… ha…” Her body shook as she pressed her face into the pillow. Tears pooled in her eyes, but her smile wouldn’t leave as she recalled what happened after the young man walked away.

Flashback

“He hates me too, doesn’t he? They all do…”

And then… She heard it.

“Well, I don’t!”

Maria jolted.

She sat bolt upright just in time to see the same young man. Blake. Standing at a distance, his two palms resting on his cheeks with his mouth in between — making him audible, his expression calm but serious.

“My name is Blake. And I’d like to be your friend,” he said, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallowed. “If you can’t tell me what’s bugging you now… that’s fine. Decide later. I mean, tomorrow. I’ll wait.”

Then, as quickly as he appeared, he turned and walked away again, without turning back.

Present

Maria stayed perfectly still for a moment before collapsing back on the bed, hugging her pillow to her chest as the blush rose uncontrollably to her cheeks.

She started giggling again. Softer this time, the sound thick with disbelief and something else… perhaps, hope.

“Yeah… a friend,” she whispered. Then louder: “Finally, a friend!”

“Keep it down! Are you the only occupant of this room?” Lilian snapped from her corner, glaring at her over a book.

“You don’t need that. Told you, she’s nothing but an animal,” Tia muttered under her breath, smirking as she ran a brush through her long hair.

Maria sat up slowly and looked at them. She really looked this time. Something in her broke loose.

“Who cares?!” she shot back, her voice sharper than she meant.

The room went dead quiet. Lilian blinked, stunned. Even Tia’s smirk faltered for just a second before she snapped back:

“And who are you barking at?”

Maria glared at her, fire flashing in her dark eyes. “Pft. Ask your demented friends,” she spat, her lip curling before she stood and walked calmly into the bathroom.

The door slammed behind her.

Minutes later came the knocking.

“Hey! You guys better open me up this minute before you land in trouble!”

The knocking turned to pleading.

“All right, I’m sorry… please. Open this damn door. I’m cold!”

But no one moved.

The laughter outside was muffled but unmistakable.

Maria’s fists pounded against the door until her knuckles ached. Her voice grew hoarse. Then faint.

Until finally… silence.

***

The unending wail of an ambulance siren disturbed the night.

“Wooooow—wow wow wow—wooooow…” it sang before it came to a screeching stop outside Queen Ashley’s Block.

A team of medics rushed in, wheeling a stretcher through the hallway. Moments later, Maria was carried out — pale, limp, and unresponsive, her dark hair plastered to her forehead.

Her roommates stood to the side, feigning concern, but their smirks betrayed them.

***

“What happened to that young lady? Why was she found locked in the bathroom, past midnight?” The student affairs director’s voice was low and firm as he looked across the table at Tia, Lilian, and Annet.

Lilian hesitated, her hands wringing in her lap.

“We….”

“Continue!” the director barked, his eyes narrowing.

“…don’t know anything about it,” Tia cut in, her tone cold and composed.

The director’s gaze lingered on her before he said quietly, “Really?”

Then he turned to the others. “All can stay except you… You can leave.” His gaze returning to Tia.

Tia’s stomach twisted as she stared at the director, Lilian and Annet. She rose, casting them uneasy looks as she left.

The door shut behind her with a soft click.

***

Later, Maria woke to a sterile white ceiling. The sharp smell of disinfectant filled her nostrils. Tubes snaked into her arms; a faint beep of a monitor sounded nearby.

She couldn’t move. Her body felt like lead.

A nurse in pink-and-black scrubs scribbled something on a chart before glancing down at her.

“You’re awake,” the nurse said softly before walking off.

Moments later, a doctor appeared. He examined her with professional detachment before meeting her gaze.

“You were brought in last night under suspicion of an asthma attack,” he said. “But there’s no sign of inflammation. You were conscious but barely responsive when we found you. Before we discharge you, you’ll need to give a statement. The circumstances were… unusual. Is that okay?”

Maria didn’t answer. Her mind played the scene over and over. Her fists against the door, her screams, the laughter outside.

The doctor watched her silently for a moment before sighing. “Get some rest,” he said at last, and moved on to the next patient.

***

Back at the dorm, the girls gathered.

“So, what are we going to do about that dirty thing?” Annet asked, lowering her voice. “She can’t expose us.”

Tia smirked, her arms crossed as she leaned in.

“How about…” she began.

The three heads huddled, whispering in conspiratorial tones, and when they pulled back, all of them were smiling darkly.

***

That afternoon, Blake sat in the garden where he’d seen her two days in a row. He actually had the boldness to show her his face yesterday.

But today, she didn’t come.

He stayed for hours, his hands shoved into his pockets, eyes scanning the path.

Nothing.

He finally rose, muttering under his breath.

“Guess she doesn’t want a friend after all…”

“Blake?!”

He turned to see Ted jogging up, his curly hair damp with sweat.

“I’ve been looking everywhere for you!” Ted gasped. “Your father’s here. He’s demanding to see you. Now.”

Blake’s jaw tightened. “What does he want now?” he growled, storming off toward his father’s usual spot.

***

Sir Cade stood like a king in the center of the quad, flanked by two tall bodyguards. His suit was immaculate, his expression unreadable.

“Hey hey hey! My boy!” he called out, spreading his arms theatrically.

Blake stopped a few paces away, his chest heaving.

“What do you want?” he snapped. “I just got back here. Why can’t I live normally like other kids?”

Sir Cade chuckled, low and humorless. “Other kids?” He shook his head. “You are living your best life, son. As a super kid. I only came to see how you’re doing. But it seems my boy doesn’t even want his father around.”

Blake’s hands curled into fists.

“Stop it. Enough of your manipulative games. Next time you come here uninvited, I won’t even answer your call.” His voice was sharp with rage, shaking slightly with fear. “Bye, Dad. I love you. But stop getting on my nerves.”

He turned, walking backwards away from his father, his glare unwavering.

Then…

Pain was felt.

Blake stumbled, clutching his ankle as a sharp sting shot up his leg.

“Ouch!”