The night air lingered heavily around them, carrying a faint scent of damp earth and distant streetlights, as Seraphina shut the door with a soft but firm click, keeping Thaddeus from stepping inside. They stood in the hallway, framed by the muted glow of the porch light spilling through the frosted glass. Shadows stretched across the walls, their shapes shifting as the wind whispered through the cracks of the old wooden windows. The silence was palpable, punctuated only by the distant hum of the city and the faint creak of the floorboards beneath their feet.
Thaddeus leaned slightly against the doorframe, the light catching the angles of his face—the sharp line of his jaw, the faint shadow beneath his cheekbones, the moisture glinting in his eyes. His expression was unreadable at first, but there was something raw, almost fragile, beneath the usual arrogance. Seraphina's own heart hammered in her chest, her hands clasped tightly in front of her as though holding herself together could shield her from what was about to unfold.
"What… what are you doing here?" Her voice trembled slightly, though she tried to steady it, the words cutting through the tension like a knife.
He hesitated, the familiar sharpness in his eyes softening into something else—something that made her stomach twist. His voice, when it came, was low and calm, carrying an unexpected vulnerability. "Sera… I—I'm sorry. I'm sorry for everything. For how I acted, for how I left things… for the nights you've cried, the days you've felt alone. I didn't… I didn't realize the weight of all I've done until just now, until I saw the hurt etched into your every glance, the storm of emotions you've been carrying… it's been dawning on me, Sera. Every little thing, every small tear you've shed, every sleepless night I wasn't there for—you deserve better, and I… I failed you. I made a mistake, the kind I regret so deeply it feels like it's clawing at my chest, tearing at every part of me that still loves you."
Seraphina stood frozen, words lodged somewhere behind the tight knot in her throat. Her gaze flickered, caught in the intensity of his eyes, the faint sheen of moisture, the sincerity that dripped through every syllable. Part of her wanted to rush forward, to believe, to forgive—but another part, the part sharpened by the betrayal, screamed for caution. And yet… and yet, she couldn't deny the pull, the way he looked tonight, the way he had always looked when he held her in that dangerous balance between love and exasperation.
After what felt like an eternity, she forced herself to speak. "Thaddeus… how are you… sorry?"
He interrupted her, voice firm but trembling slightly, eyes glinting with unshed tears. "Because I love you, Sera. Because everything we've shared, everything we've built—it isn't something you can just throw away. Not without leaving pieces of ourselves shattered behind."
Her heart clenched. "You knew this, Thaddeus. You knew, and you still decided to throw it all away. Everything we built, all the trust, the moments, the… everything."
"Yes," he admitted, the tension in his shoulders sagging. "Yes, I know. But Sera, I felt trapped. I felt… caged in my own mistakes, and I panicked. I made choices that were selfish… that I thought I could control. But now I see, now I understand what I've lost… and what I can't lose again."
Their tense exchange was suddenly cut off by the soft but firm voice of Elowen at the door. She stood there, calm but alert, the halo of her hair catching the porch light as she surveyed the scene. Her eyes flicked to Seraphina, instantly reading her friend's near-vulnerability—the hint that Sera was teetering dangerously close to believing Thaddeus's words without question. Elowen extended a hand, subtle but insistent, signaling Sera to step back inside.
Seraphina hesitated for barely a second, then, with a calm collectedness that contrasted the storm outside, she followed, leaving Thaddeus framed in the doorway. He remained there for a moment, the night air brushing against him, the shadows casting him as a figure both striking and vulnerable. His hands fell to his sides, the faint quiver in his lips betraying the cracks in his usual composure.
Elowen stepped forward, speaking softly but firmly, her voice carrying warmth, concern, and an almost ethereal protectiveness. "Thaddeus… I know you think you can fix this with words, but Sera isn't yours to play with. Take care, and remember, actions speak louder than apologies."
He smirked, the familiar sarcasm curling across his face, yet his eyes remained wet, clearing the last traces of emotion. "Always the angel, aren't you?" he murmured, before turning and walking into the night.
Elowen closed the door gently behind him, exhaling deeply as she turned toward Seraphina. "That didn't look good, Sera."
Sera lifted her head, a slow smirk forming across her lips, mischievous and confident. Elowen blinked, confused. "What… what's that look on your face?"
Sera said nothing, her eyes gleaming with scheming determination. Elowen reached for her phone to set off toward bed, shaking her head slightly as she climbed the stairs. "He didn't look good, Sera… but you…" Her voice trailed off, uncertain.
The next morning arrived with a golden haze that filtered softly through the campus corridors. The rhythm of their day was otherwise ordinary—lectures, note-taking, casual chatter—but something in the air felt charged, anticipatory. Elowen made her usual rounds, stepping into the courtyard with a light hum on her lips, only to find Seraphina waiting outside her department, leaning lightly against the column with her arms crossed and a faint, almost imperceptible smile twisting her lips.
Elowen paused, brow arched. "What… what are you doing here?"
"Waiting for my Prince Charming," Sera replied with a sly, scheming grin, her tone teasing yet purposeful.
Elowen cut through immediately, exasperated, "Don't start, Sera."
But Seraphina's eyes glimmered with mischief as she straightened, following her friend subtly as she tried to move past her into the building. "You really are doing this," Elowen muttered under her breath, exasperation and disbelief woven into every syllable.
Sera went quiet, glancing around the busy courtyard, observing the students passing by, the sunlight catching the edges of the building, the gentle flutter of leaves along the walkway. Her expression was unreadable to outsiders, but inwardly, she felt the surge of thrill—this was a game, a strategy, and every second counted.
Just then, a voice called out, clear and deliberate. "Elowen… Seraphina?"
She turned to see Alden and Callum approaching, the morning sun catching in Alden's hair, making his features sharper, more deliberate, more enticing than ever. Their steps were casual but deliberate, betraying a confidence that sent a flutter through Sera's chest.
"Morning," Alden greeted, his tone warm, almost teasing. Seraphina and Elowen exchanged polite smiles. Pleasantries were exchanged, light, careful words meant to mask the tension that rippled beneath. The air felt taut, every glance measured, every word deliberate, especially with Seraphina's presence in their department—something Alden's sharp eyes seemed to note keenly, and Callum tried, gently, to keep the small talk flowing.
Callum's efforts to engage Elowen in casual banter were met with polite nods and faint smiles, but her gaze rarely left Seraphina. He thought to himself, half-amused, half-exasperated, I bet things have shifted back to how they were before.
After a few careful exchanges, the two groups parted ways.
As they walked, Alden turned to Callum, a small smirk lifting the corners of his lips. "You know… Seraphina looks different today. Confident. Strong. Her smile… it's contagious. And the way she handles herself, her presence… it's… remarkable."
Callum chuckled, nodding. "You've noticed. She's… Seraphina Vale. And, just in case you forgot, Thaddeus's ex. Keep that in mind while you're navigating this."
Alden paused, considering, then continued. "I never realized Elowen and Seraphina were that close."
"They're practically sisters," Callum replied, emphasizing the bond with a faint smile.
Later, at their favorite café, Elowen had finally relaxed, the shadow of her earlier upset dissipating. She and Seraphina shared laughter over campus gossip, their phones flipping between updates, memes, and funny social posts. Between chuckles, they discussed campus events, professors, and casual observations about their classmates, the café filled with their voices blending into the warm hum of background chatter.
Sera leaned across the table suddenly, her eyes gleaming. "El… can you please… tell me everything you know about Alden?"
Elowen looked up from her phone, brow furrowed in exasperation. After a long pause, she spoke cautiously. "He's quiet. We only have one course together, but from what I know, he's private… very private. Most girls say he doesn't do relationships or give attention easily, so this… what he's doing with you… might just be platonic."
Seraphina's smile deepened, a slow, dangerous curve that promised beginnings, plans, and possibilities yet to unfold. This is just the start…
Elowen interrupted her thoughts, sighing. "Sera… please. I've had a stressful day with classes. Can we… just skip the Alden plot for now? I have this assignment, and I need to clear my head before I start it."
Sera chuckled softly, eyes twinkling with mischief. "Fine, fine… but soon, El. Soon."