Just as I stepped out of the lecture, I spotted Lily ahead.
Jessie and Mark had come up behind me at some point after I noticed her, close enough to follow along but not interrupt.
"What is it about?" Jessie asked, glancing between me and Lily, while a few curious stares from others made it obvious—everyone knew her.
Lily walked closer, tilting her head slightly as her blonde hair swayed gently over her shoulder, her expression carrying that same soft, pleasant smile.
"Could I have a moment with her?" she asked sweetly, glancing at Jessie and Mark.
After a brief hesitation, they nodded and stepped aside, leaving the two of us alone.
As they walked away, I exhaled quietly.
why do they all keep involving themselves with me… when I'm trying my best to stay out of the story… I rambled inwardly, pressing my lips into a polite line.
She turned to me.
"You seemed close to him."
And somehow, it already sounds like my fault.
Even though he was the one who approached me first.
"It wasn't like that," I said evenly. "It was just a misunderstanding."
Then—
"Samuel loves me."
I stilled for a fraction of a second.
My thoughts halted.
…What?
That wasn't right.
The Lily I knew ...I read about...wouldn't say something like that so plainly… not like this.
So this isn't just a misunderstanding… she's asserting something.
Before I could stop myself—
"So you know you're the female lead?" I said before I could stop myself—
The moment it left my mouth, I exhaled quietly.
Lily blinked, her brows knitting slightly.
"What?" she asked, her confusion looking… real.
I watched her for a second longer than necessary.
No shift.
No crack.
Just that same expression.
....So not that.
"Nothing," I said, shaking my head lightly. "Forget it."
Her gaze lingered, but she didn't push.About Samuel," I added, keeping my tone calm, "you don't need to worry. It really was just a misunderstanding. You can confirm it with him if you want."
I stepped aside, intending to leave.
"Wait."
My steps slowed.
"He said you were the one who approached him first,"
she said, her voice still soft, "and I did see you pass him a note the other day."
Of course.
For a moment, I considered correcting her.
Explaining it.
Clearing it up.
Then I stopped.
No.
It wouldn't change anything.
"Alright," I said simply.
And walked past her.
___________________
The door clicked shut behind me as I stepped into my dorm.
Silence.
Finally.
I dropped my bag onto the chair and sank into it, pulling my notebook closer without really looking at the page.
For a few seconds, I just stared.
Then—
"Screw them… screw all the leads," I muttered, leaning back slightly, fingers tightening around the pen. "I don't care if the story escalates any further—it's their own fault."
My gaze dropped to the page full of ramblings.
"The only reason I was even worried about it going off track was because I didn't want to get tangled in it," I continued under my breath.
"If I get more involved in the story…"
I paused.
"…it might decrease my chances of going back."
The words lingered in the quiet room.