The walk to the campus gate was brisk, but not brisk enough for Joren's nerves.
His mind raced with every step.
*It's already past ten. What if Zuri left? What if she's pissed?*
He glanced at his phone again. 10:04 a.m.
*Shit! we're dead.*
Beside him, Lana strolled like they were on a casual morning date. Her arms swung gently at her sides, her eyes half-lidded as she breathed in the crisp air. The sun filtered through the trees, casting soft rays across her face. She looked… serene.
Joren, meanwhile, was sweating bullets.
They rounded the corner, and the campus gate came into view.
Joren's heart eased.
Zuri was still there.
But then he noticed something else.
She wasn't alone.
Two other people stood beside her — one tall and broad-shouldered, the other shorter, with a pair of glasses and braided hair like Zuri's. And behind them, parked like it owned the pavement, was a sleek, black car that looked like it belonged in a music video. Polished, expensive, high-class.
Lana's eyes locked onto the car. Her brows lifted slightly, and her lips parted in curiosity.
Joren, still eyeing the strangers, muttered, "Man. Everyone's already here."
As they reached the group, Joren stepped forward first, a sheepish smile tugging at his lips. "Sorry we're late."
Zuri turned to him, her expression softening just a little. "It's okay."
But then her eyes shifted — and landed on Lana, who had just come to stand beside him.
The softness vanished.
"What's she doing here?" Zuri asked, her tone sharp.
Joren rubbed the back of his neck. "Well… I wanted to bring her along."
Zuri's voice hardened. "I invited you, Joren. Not her."
"She won't be a problem," he said quickly. "And I'll cover any expenses that concern her."
Zuri's frown deepened. "Why would you go through that trouble?"
Joren hesitated, words caught in his throat.
Lana answered for him, her voice calm but firm. "Because this outing is also our date. He doesn't want to mess it up."
Zuri's face twitched — just for a second. A flicker of something raw passed through her eyes, but she masked it with a deeper scowl.
"She's not coming," she said flatly.
"Zuri, come on," Joren said, stepping closer. "Please. Lana won't cause any trouble, I promise."
Beside him, Lana's expression tightened. She didn't say anything, but the slight downturn of her lips said enough — she didn't love that he had to beg for her.
Zuri looked at Joren for a long moment, her eyes unreadable. Then, with a sigh, she looked away.
"You're so stupid," she muttered — but there was no bite in it.
"Fine. She can come. I don't care."
But the way she turned her back on them said otherwise.
She turned to the other two — the tall guy with broad shoulders and the girl with glasses, braids and a phone glued to her hand.
"Alright," Zuri said, brushing her hair back. "Everyone's here. Let's go."
She turned toward the car, but the guy — Leon — tilted his head and asked, voice laced with playful mockery, "Weren't you gonna ask someone out first?"
Zuri froze.
Her face turned a deep shade of red. "Shut up and get in the car," she snapped.
Everyone noticed the blush.
Joren blinked but didn't think much of it.
Lana, however, narrowed her eyes slightly and pouted — just a little — like she knew exactly who that "someone" was.
Zuri grabbed Leon by the collar and yanked him close. She whispered something low and sharp into his ear — something that made his smirk falter — then shoved him away with a glare.
She turned to the car without another word.
Up close, Joren finally got a good look at it. Sleek and black, like it had just rolled out of a luxury showroom.
A Mercedes-Benz AMG GT 4-Door Coupe.
He let out a low whistle. "Who owns this beast?"
He turned to Leon. "Is it yours?"
Before Leon could answer, the girl beside him — Lucy — burst out laughing. "Fuck no! This loser can't afford a car like this."
Leon frowned. "You didn't have to say it like that. You can't afford it either."
Joren raised an eyebrow. "Then…?"
Zuri, already unlocking the car with a click, glanced over her shoulder. "It's mine."
Joren blinked. "Wait—what?"
But Zuri was already sliding into the driver's seat like she hadn't just dropped a bomb.