Ayla

I grumbled all the way to the girls’ restroom. Rhett thinks he’s some kind of campus overlord, always warning everyone to stay away from me. Like, if a guy so much as stands within a yard of me, he goes full malfunctioning alarm—loud and annoying as hell.

I shoved the bathroom door open. “Ugh!” I groaned, slamming into the stall and pulling for some toilet paper. Of course. Empty. Perfect. Out of all the crap that could’ve gone wrong today, this has to be it?

Normally, I wouldn't care. Broken flush? Whatever. No soap? Cool. But today? Today, the tiniest thing could blow up my mood.

This stall is supposed to be my little escape pod, where I zone out for half an hour and breathe. But now? My head’s spinning because of him. River. That guy. His smile and the way he looked at me—it’s still burned into my brain. For a second, I actually felt alive.

But Rhett—my personal bodyguard slash walking buzzkill—had to show up with his suffocating “I’m doing this for your own good” routine.

“This is for your safety, Ayla. I made a promise to your father,” he said. Ugh. That’s his go-to line whenever I call him out. Like being the oldest cousin gives him the right to control every second of my life.

My phone buzzed—probably Rhett or his two Beta clones, Reese and Reid, who think they’re part of some elite family SWAT team. I ignored it. That thing could explode and I still wouldn’t pick up.

I sighed and fired off a quick text to Yuna.

Out of toilet paper. Girls’ bathroom, west wing.

Less than ten seconds later:

On it.

Yuna’s got some kind of psychic-speedy-wifi combo in her brain. It’s honestly scary sometimes. Pietro Maximoff speed but way more chill.

The door creaked open.

“Ayla?”

I answered softly, my voice echoing in the nearly empty restroom—no surprise, the place reeked of expired disinfectant.

“Your savior’s here,” Yuna said, knocking gently on my stall. She waved some tissues like a literal angel.

I opened the door and grabbed them, mumbling a tired “Thanks.”

At the sink, I splashed cold water on my face. It helped, kinda. But the redness in my eyes wasn’t from the water.

Yuna caught my reflection in the mirror. “Is there any logical reason why Ayla Monroe would be crying?”

I shrugged, playing it off. “Just pissed.”

“Rhett again? Doesn’t that guy have a life?”

I nodded. “He blew up a convo I was having in class—with a guy. River. I don’t know, I felt like he was… different.”

“River who?” Yuna perked up, instantly alert. “Dark brown-ish long hair? Architecture guy? Has the same mystery-vibe popularity level as Reid?”

I turned fast. “River Callahan. You know him?”

“Everybody knows River Callahan. Mysterious, barely talks to anyone, but girls still drool over him.”

I bit my lip. “Yeah, well, guess he’s definitely not talking to me now.”

We headed out of the bathroom toward the cafeteria—and of course, because the universe hates me, there he was. River, sitting with some friends, laughing at something. He looked totally relaxed.

Our eyes met.

I almost smiled. But he looked away—fast.

“Ouch,” I muttered.

We sat at a table across from him. I kept my eyes on his back, trying not to spiral into overthinking. Maybe I was just imagining it, but it felt like he was avoiding me on purpose. And honestly? I didn’t blame him.

Yuna gave my shoulder a little nudge. “Come on, he has to know you’re not part of Rhett’s psychotic guard dog package.”

I wasn’t so sure.

And just when I thought things couldn’t get worse—bam. In walks Rhett with Reese and Reid, all serious like they’re walking into a hostage situation.

Rhett didn’t even ask. He just dropped into the seat next to me.

“You didn’t answer my calls,” he said.

“I’m eating,” I shot back flatly.

“Stay away from that guy,” he snapped. “I saw him getting close to you, Ayla.”

I rolled my eyes. “Can you not ruin my appetite, please? And River… he’s none of your business.”

“This is my business. It’s family—your father—”

“Enough.” I slammed my fork down. I stood, done with this conversation and their macho bullshit.

Yuna grabbed her tray and followed me out, leaving everything behind.

“Where are we going?” she asked, trying to keep up.

“Skipping class. I need a drink.”

“You mean... like, a club?” She raised an eyebrow. “Ayla, don’t get wasted.”

“I just need to forget tonight happened,” I muttered.

So that’s how we ended up in this lowkey club not far from campus. Bass thumping, lights flashing, bodies swaying. I ordered two shots. Then three. Maybe four. Screw it.

“Okay, that’s enough,” Yuna said, gripping my arm. Her voice sounded warped, her face kind of blurry. I laughed—too loud.

My phone rang. Rhett. I answered but his voice came through like static.

“I’m fine, Rhett,” I slurred. “Just... chillin’.”

And then, through the haze and chaos, I saw him. Dark hair. Those same intense eyes from earlier.

“River?”

My steps were wobbly, but I moved toward him.

“Hey... that’s really you, right?” I grinned like an idiot, barely able to focus.

He didn’t say anything. Just looked at me—gentle but kind of intense. I don’t remember if I pulled him in or if he moved closer first. But our lips met.

It wasn’t a kiss full of clarity. It was wild, messy, fueled by booze and whatever weird, magnetic pull he had on me. But one thing was for sure—River kissed me back.

“Ayla, you’re drunk. You need to go home,” he whispered against my lips before pulling back.

“No,” I pouted. “Home’s a damn cage. Let’s just stay here.”

I sank into him, clinging to the warmth of his body, the smell of his hoodie.

Then... blackout.

Everything blurred—sounds, lights, even the taste in my mouth.

When I opened my eyes, I wasn’t in the club anymore. I was in a bed. A clean, unfamiliar one. Someone had tucked me in.

I heard a voice—soft and familiar, like something from a dream.

“I found you, Ayla.”