Panic, that’s all I felt as I rushed down the stairs of my building. Izan’s voice, and the address he gave me repeating itself in my head over and over again. My nerves were everywhere as I started running down the street. He was hurt, and he needed help. All I could think was that he was hurt and every rational thinking escaped me. All I knew was that I had to get to him, as fast as possible. I was scared, I was afraid that something really bad might have happened to me. My heart was wrenching in my chest, tears building in my eyes as I ran to the end of the street and stopped in front of the road sign, he had told me about. I frantically looked around, it was dark, empty, only a few people passing by at that late hour of the night.I needed to find him, as soon as possible or it might get too late. I felt utterly helpless, I didn’t know what to do, I couldn’t find him. Just as tears was about to fall from my eyes, a sudden movement at a distant dark ally caught my attention. I could

She laughed, smiled and glowed right before my very eyes. At that moment, without even lifting a finger, she made me feel things I didn’t think I was capable of feeling. Jealousy being one of them. I was so overcome with jealousy that before I could think of something better, I bumped into her, the mug of coffee flew out of her grip and I was quick to make sure it fell on him, that guy.The level of satisfaction and comfort I got seeing him running to the washroom later made me question everything but I got to talk to her. And for that, I will bump into anyone, drench anyone in burning hot coffee. Needless to say, after getting her coffee, I slept a lot better.But my peaceful days were short-numbered. I heard them talk and what I heard made my blood boil.“Invested? In what” Mira asked. And her obnoxious friend spoke again.“Come on, don’t tell me I’m the only one who noticed how he was eyeing you,”I guess someone needs a little eye plucking! I barely kept myself from growling aloud

I watched as the words slipped from my lips, and carried on a fragile breath of hope. “But I’m glad you did. I’m glad you thought of me,” I murmured, my voice barely louder than the whisper of the wind through the trees.His eyes, deep and endless like the night sky, widened ever so slightly. I saw the subtle shift in his expression, the flicker of something stirring within him. His breath, once steady and calm, now quickened, each inhale heavy with unspoken emotion.And then it hit me like a sudden gust of wind, the weight of my confession crashing down upon me like a wave against the shore. “Oh my God. Forget I said anything,” I blurted out, my words tumbling over each other in a desperate attempt to backtrack.Scrambling to my feet, I gathered my things, trying to escape. But as I turned to leave, I felt his touch, warm and gentle against my skin, wrapping around my wrist like a lifeline.Electricity coursed through my veins at his touch, sending sparks flying in every direction. I

At the last minute, I hesitated, cold feet creeping in as doubts flooded my mind. Was using him as a distraction really a good idea? But before I could think of an escape, my phone rang, and Luca’s name flashed across the screen. With a shaky firmness, I answered and agreed to meet him by the campus in ten minutes.As I hung up, nerves fluttered in my stomach. What had I gotten myself into? But I had said yes, and now there was no turning back.With a deep breath, I pushed open the door and stepped outside into the crisp afternoon air. The cool breeze offered little comfort as I made my way toward our meeting spot.Conversation flowed around me, students laughing and chatting as they made their way home. But my mind was elsewhere, consumed by thoughts of distraction and rebellion against my own heartache.With each step, my resolve wavered, but I pushed on, determined to prove to myself that I could do better, that I wasn’t going to wallow in self-pity over a guy who had left me behin