They chatted, not really watching the clock, and before they knew it, more than ten minutes had slipped by. Emily was talking with Rose when she suddenly brightened up. She'd just spotted a BMW gliding toward us, looking all sleek and sporty in the sunlight—skyscraper gray, the kind of car that just catches your eye.
Rose dabbed the sweat off her forehead and glanced at Emily. "Emily, it's been over ten minutes. Where's your boyfriend? Didn't he say he'd pick us up?" She sounded a little impatient, and honestly, I got it—it was still muggy for September, and even standing under the tree didn't help much.
Isabella looked over at Emily too. She didn't say anything, but you could tell she was getting hot and restless.
Emily just smiled. "He's here already."
Rose perked up right away, eyes searching the parking lot. "Already? Which one's his? Where's he parked?" Even Jasmine, who'd been quiet, straightened up and started looking around.
Emily pointed at the BMW, her finger small and pale. "That one, right there."
Rose's jaw dropped. "No way, a BMW!" She didn't know much about cars, but everyone knows the big three: Mercedes, BMW, Audi.
Jasmine just stared. She recognized that car—she'd seen it at school two days ago. Nathan had told her it was a top-of-the-line BMW, over $200,000 after taxes. That number had floored her. She'd even joked about finding out who owned it, maybe even chasing after the owner if they were a student. But then Emily showed up to the dorm with her fancy LV bag, and Jasmine got distracted by Evan instead. Funny how things work out.
Now, looking at the BMW rolling up, Jasmine's mind was racing. Wait, Evan drives that car? She just stared, stunned.
Isabella, as usual, stayed cool. But her eyes followed Emily's finger, and when she saw the BMW, even she looked a little surprised. She glanced at the license plate—999. That got her attention. She shot Emily a look, like, "Wow, not bad."
All of this happened in a blink. Evan pulled up, and the BMW stopped right in front of us. A guy nearby, waiting for his girlfriend, looked over and started whispering to his friends about the car's price, eyes wide with envy. You didn't have to strain to hear the numbers—over $200,000. Rose's eyes nearly popped out of her head.
Jasmine kept her face calm, but her eyes betrayed her. She hadn't forgotten Nathan's words. She tried to act cool, yet there was a sharp, calculating look in her gaze. It was clear she was seeing Emily's boyfriend in a completely different light.
Evan didn't notice the gossip. He got out of the car, grinning at Emily. "How long have you guys been waiting?" He glanced at her, obviously proud.
Emily smiled back, picking up on his mood. She straightened her shoulders, a little proud herself. "Not long at all," she said.
Then she gestured to us. "Let me introduce my roommates. This is Rose—she's super sweet. That's Isabella—she's the cool, quiet one. And you already know Jasmine, Nathan's girlfriend."
Evan nodded, smiling, but I caught his eyes lingering on Isabella. I don't think he'd expected to find a roommate that beautiful.
She's every bit as impressive as Emily—no question about it.
Evan glanced at Isabella, lingering for a moment on her striking features, and let out a quiet sigh. That's saying a lot, honestly, because Emily sets the bar high when it comes to looks, style, and that effortless charm she carries. Take Lena, for example. She's got a great figure, sure, but next to Emily? Not quite on the same level.
But Isabella? She's different. She really does hold her own against Emily, face to face. What sets her apart isn't just her beauty—it's that cool, almost distant vibe she gives off. And you know what? That makes her even more magnetic. Even Evan couldn't help but take another look.
"Hey there, Evan." Rose's greeting was short and sweet, her hand lifted in a casual wave as she studied Evan with open curiosity.
She'd never met him before, but she'd heard Jasmine talk about him in the dorm—said he looked average, came from a regular family. But then again, the guy just handed out a expensive bag like it was nothing. So Rose figured maybe the money was real, but the looks? Probably not. Now, seeing him up close, she realized she'd gotten it wrong.
This is supposed to be 'average'?
Not even close. There was something easygoing about Evan, something in his calm, steady presence that drew you in. Rose glanced over at Jasmine, almost wanting to ask what she'd been thinking, calling Evan ordinary.
Jasmine didn't notice. She was too busy staring at Evan herself—completely caught off guard. He looked nothing like the guy she'd seen in the cafeteria: back then, he'd had messy hair, boring clothes, just… bland. Now? He looked sharp, fresh haircut, relaxed but stylish outfit, and that quiet confidence. It was like he'd switched on a light inside himself.
If it weren't for his face, Jasmine might've thought she was looking at someone else entirely.
She managed to snap out of it, forcing down the surprise that threatened to show.
"We've met before," Jasmine said, managing a smile. She shot a quick look at Emily and then winked at Evan.
Evan said nothing Just smile.
Honestly, Jasmine looked gorgeous today—makeup just right, white dress that managed to be both innocent and a little flirty. But standing next to Emily and Isabella? She faded into the background, just another pretty face in the crowd.
Evan even glance her way.
She ready to say something, but Isabella spoke first.
"Hello." Isabella's greeting matched her personality—cool, restrained. She met Evan's eyes for a second or two before looking away, but that brief moment was enough to make her heart skip. She liked his look, his taste, but above all, his calmness. He didn't have that restless energy most guys did. That caught her off guard, maybe even made her a little interested, though she quickly put those feelings aside. He was Emily's boyfriend, after all.
"Hello," Evan replied, his gaze lingering on Isabella's face for a moment before he turned away.
"Alright, let's get in the car," Evan said, flashing a smile.
"Sure," Emily replied, and nodded at Rose and Isabella. "Rose, Isabella, Jasmine,you all take the back."
Isabella just nodded and slid into the back seat.
Rose hung back for a second, grinning at Emily. "Wow, Emily, I've never ridden in such a fancy car—thanks!"
Emily rolled her eyes, half amused, half exasperated. That was just Rose being Rose.
"Jasmine, get in!" Rose called out, already inside.
"Coming," Jasmine answered, but shot Emily a look before climbing in. She knew Emily would grab the front seat, and that stung a little. Still, she wasn't ready to give up. There was still a game to play, and she wasn't out of it yet. Determination flashed in her eyes as she got in.
Even with three crammed in the back, nobody felt crowded.
"Come on, let's get in too." Emily tugged Evan along as the others settled inside.
Evan nodded, about to climb into the car, when Emily suddenly grabbed his arm. He glanced down, ready to ask what was up, but Emily leaned in and kissed his cheek.
"I saw that," Rose piped up from the back seat.
Emily just grinned. "So what? I'm kissing my boyfriend." No hint of embarrassment—she said it with a smile, then hopped into the passenger seat.
Evan shook his head, trying not to smile, and slid behind the wheel. Emily buckled her seatbelt and shot him a quick look, quiet for a moment.
Truth is, there was a reason she kissed him out of nowhere. Emily had caught Evan sneaking glances at Isabella. She got it—Isabella was beautiful, just as much as she was. Still, it made her a little uneasy. So she kissed him. Call it staking her claim.
She couldn't help glancing at Isabella in the back seat, just for a second.
Rose, meanwhile, was busy running her hands over the car's interior, eyes wide. "This car is massive. And it's so fancy inside."
Evan pulled away from the girls' dorm and headed for the college gate.
"Hey Evan, Emily said we're going to Silver Oak Dining for dinner later. Is that for real?" Rose leaned forward, her eyes shining.
"It's real." Evan nodded.
Rose lit up instantly. "Oh wow, when we get there, I'm taking a ton of pictures."
"Knock yourself out," Evan said, grinning. He hadn't known Rose for long, but already had her pegged—outspoken, says what's on her mind. Honestly, it was a good trait. She wasn't a knockout, but a lot of guys liked that kind of energy.
"Hehe, thanks, Evan." Rose giggled and shot a grateful look at Emily. "Emily, you too. Thanks."
Jasmine, sitting quietly beside them, pressed her lips together. She glanced at Emily in the front seat, then at Evan. Before, she just wanted Evan for his money. Now, she was drawn to him for more than that—he was rich, sure, but he was also good-looking, had great taste, dressed well, carried himself with confidence, and was still so young. Honestly, she couldn't spot a single flaw.
Just thinking about dating a guy like Evan made her heart race. If he were her boyfriend, she'd walk around with her head held high, proud as anything. Who wouldn't be? He was just that impressive.
Her thoughts drifted and then—buzz. Her phone vibrated inside her bag. She wore a white dress today, so she'd tossed her phone and other stuff into her purse. As she rummaged for her phone, her eyes landed on the cheap bag, and she couldn't help thinking of the bag Evan had given Emily. Envy and jealousy crept in, but she shook it off, pulled out her phone, and saw it was a call from Nathan.
Jasmine frowned, annoyed. She didn't even hesitate—just hung up.
"Huh? Jasmine, why'd you do that? Wasn't that your boyfriend? Why not answer?" Rose blinked at her, confused.
Jasmine's heart skipped. She glanced at Evan—luckily, he was focused on driving and hadn't noticed. She hesitated, then blurted out, "I just don't want to. Nathan and I aren't a good match, you know? We just… don't click. I'm planning to break up with him."
She didn't exactly whisper, either; she wanted Evan to hear her. Lately, she felt like Evan avoided her because she was still dating Nathan. So she figured, why not let it slip that a breakup was coming?
"Break up? Really? But I think you and Nathan are pretty good together. He treats you well, —he's doing alright! Jasmine, maybe think it over?" Rose looked genuinely surprised and a little concerned. She clearly thought Jasmine was making a rash decision.
Jasmine just pursed her lips. If she didn't know better, she'd think Rose was being sarcastic. Sure, Nathan was decent—local guy,not bad. But compared to Evan? Not even in the same league.
Evan had handed out an bag worth nearly more than $10,000 like it was nothing, and he drove a BMW. He seemed impressive on the surface, and Jasmine was pretty sure there was even more behind the scenes.
"I'm done thinking about it. Nathan and I just aren't right for each other. I've made up my mind," Jasmine said, her voice steady.
Rose opened her mouth, ready to argue, but Jasmine cut her off. "Don't bother. I've decided."
Rose fell silent, not sure what to say next.
Isabella, who'd been glued to her phone the whole ride, finally looked up and glanced at Jasmine. She just shook her head and went back to whatever she was doing.
*******