"Ring, Ring!"

The alarm jolted me awake. Morning had come too soon.

I dressed, grabbed my bag, and headed for campus. The lectures dragged on. I barely paid attention. My mind was... elsewhere.

After class, I got a call from Jess.

"Hey Dad, I didn't go to lectures today. I'm bored. Can you come over?"

Without thinking, I agreed.

When I arrived, she had popcorn and a movie ready. We watched, played board games, and laughed like old times. It felt normal again. Warm.

I helped her tidy up her room since we run out of what to do. Jeez cleaning wasn't easy I exclaimed.. " I guess I've finally found your weakness "she replied" and we both laughed and continued our cleaning by the time we were done it was already past 6pm.

But as I got up to leave, something inside me snapped.

"Thanks for today," I said, standing close to her.

"You're welcome," she smiled.

I brushed a strand of hair from her face. My fingers lingered.

Then... I pecked her lightly on the lips.

She froze..eyes wide, lips still. Stunned.

I saw the fear. The confusion.

Guilt flashed across my chest. I slowly removed my hand from her cheek.

But then, something reckless took over.

I leaned in and kissed her again, more deeply this time. Brief, but intense. Then I pulled back, not saying a word. Picked up my bag and left her standing there, staring into nothing.

I didn't know what came over me.

Later that night, I went to a bar.

I sat there, drinking. Trying to forget the look on her face.

My phone buzzed.

"What's wrong with you? Are you becoming a pervert now? If you've started sexualizing me, I'll avoid you. I'm scared of you, Andre. I hate you."

I didn't respond. I just kept drinking.

"Bro. You still there? I'm coming back with something wild 😏"

Then again a minute later

I got a text from Geoffrey .

"Just landed. I've got gist. And a surprise. Where are you??"

I stared at the texts, debating if I should respond. Geoffrey had traveled to Brisbane earlier in the week for a family thing. Said he'd only be gone for three days.

I'd forgotten he was coming back today.

My fingers hovered over the screen.

Me:

"Still around. At that bar across from The Galleria."

His reply came fast.

"Say less. On my way. Be there at 15."

Great.

I wasn't in the mood for company, but Geoffrey didn't care about things like "moods." He was a carefree soul. Loud, shameless, always full of gist. And somehow, still one of the few people I tolerated.

I leaned back, finishing the rest of my drink slowly. My head was getting heavy, and I could already feel the dull ache of an oncoming hangover crawling behind my eyes.

Fifteen minutes later, I saw him enter the bar, spotting me almost instantly.

"There you are!" Geoffrey grinned, dragging a chair beside me like we were meeting for brunch. "I thought you ghosted me, you idiot."

I offered a weak smile. "Didn't realize you were back today."

"Yeah, yeah. The flight got delayed, and then my sister wouldn't stop talking about her wedding plans like I'm not the broke sibling. Anyway," He sat down, dropping his phone and wallet on the table. "You look like hell. What happened to you?"

"Long week."

He squinted at me. "Long week like assignment long or long week like heartbreak long?"

I shrugged. "Something like that."

He eyed me suspiciously, then leaned in. "Is this about that girl?"

I tensed slightly. "What girl?"

"Jessica or whatever her name is. The one you've been lowkey obsessed with since the semester started. I've seen the way you look at her. Don't play me."

I looked away, jaw tightening.

He raised a brow. "Damn. That bad, huh?"

"I don't want to talk about it."

Geoffrey held up his hands. "Alright. No therapy session tonight. Just vibes. And speaking of vibes..." He leaned in with a sly grin. "You're coming out with me tonight."

"Not in the mood."

"That's exactly why you're coming. You need a distraction. A drink. A girl who won't make you question your sanity."

I gave him a look. "I already drank."

"Then keep going."

He pulled out his phone and showed me a screenshot of an event flyer.

"A new club just opened in Southport. Velvet Room. Members-only, but I know a guy who knows the bouncer. Clean aesthetics, fine girls, crazy music. You're coming alright. End of story."

I wanted to say no. I wanted to go home, take a hot shower, and maybe sleep until I stopped feeling like a human trash fire.

But instead, I nodded.

Maybe Geoffrey was right.

Maybe I needed to feel something else. Anything else.

"Fine," I muttered. "Let's go."

Geoffrey clapped his hands once and stood. "My man. Let's get you out of this emotional coma."

I stood too, tossing a few bills onto the table without really counting and calling the waiter's attention to them. My head was spinning, not from the alcohol, but from everything else.

The guilt. Jess's message. The way her words were still echoing in my head.

As we walked toward the exit, something in me hesitated. My steps slowed.

By the time we reached the door, I had stopped completely.

Geoffrey noticed. "What?"

I ran a hand through my hair and shook my head. "I can't tonight."

He blinked. "What do you mean? We just"

"I'm exhausted, man. Mentally. Physically. All of it," I muttered. "Let's do it tomorrow. Saturday night. I'll be more alive by then."

Geoffrey raised a brow, studying my face like he didn't recognize me. "You sure?"

"Yeah. I just need rest."

He exhaled dramatically but nodded. "Alright. I'll let you off the hook for tonight."

I managed a faint smile. "Text me the time and location."

"Done. And bro, whatever this is you're going through? Sleep it off. You're not even acting like yourself." I'll come pick you up tomorrow.

I didn't respond. Because I wasn't sure who I was acting like anymore.

We split up at the lot. Geoffrey headed off to catch a ride. I walked home alone, hands in my pockets, the chill evening breeze doing nothing to cool the fire in my chest.

As I pushed open the door to my room and collapsed on the bed, my phone vibrated one more time.

Jess.

"You scared me, Andre."

I locked the screen without opening it.

Tomorrow, I told myself. Tomorrow I'll feel better.

It was the weekend. My guy, Geoffrey showed up at my lodge.

"Bro, how do you feel now?. You good?"

"Yeah, I feel better" I replied

"Good, get dressed, let's hit the club."

I didn't argue. After all, I needed the escape.

At the club, music pounded, and lights flickered. I was drowning in the noise, the movement, the drinks.

Geoffrey and I went to the bartender's counter, he paid for some shots then stood up and told me he would be right back and left me there

My phone buzzed again.

"I'm sorry about what I said ... I'm just worried. You scared me. Say something, please. Tell me what's going on with you. I'm afraid for your mental health."

It was Jess

I stared at it for a long time. After hours, I replied simply:

"OK."

Then I had more drinks. Geoffrey returned with two girls.

"Pick one," he said. One of them-tall, caramel skin, curvy body, sat on my lap. I didn't ask her name.

Then Geoffrey disappeared again with the other girl.

She started grinding on me. I touched her thighs. She turned around, facing me. Her eyes, her lips, she was stunning.

"What's your name beautiful?"I asked curiously

"You just said it" she giggled

"When?" I asked

"When you called me beautiful " she smirked

I grinned a little.

I was tipsy, I pulled her closer and kissed her passionately, and she didn't resist, it became intense. My hands moved towards her boobs caressing them softly then she paused, stood up, and said "Follow me". I followed without thinking

We ended up in the male's bathroom. I placed her on the sink unit and kissed her passionately while slowly moving my hands to her b**bs, I unzipped her dress and placed my mouth on her n**ples I sucked her while she moaned slightly, I moved my other hand down her laps underneath her dress, she was dripping already I pushed my hand deeper in her and thrusted while sucking her, she was moaning uncontrollably, I stopped then pulled out my d*ck and rubbed it at the tips of her vagina then pushed it in slightly.

I thrust her gently then harder while she filled the air with her horny voices... "aahaan mmm" she let out as I kept thrusting her, I stopped for a few seconds I could see the hunger in her eyes. I moved my focus to her boobs twisting her left nipple tightly with one hand while fingering her cl*t with the other and placed my tongue on her right boobs sucking her like a hungry infant that was starved for days tilted my head sideways according to the momentum. I twisted my tongue in a circular motion around her nip*les and used my teeth interchangeably slightly biting them..

" Ahh-ah babe uhmm" At this moment my other hand was filled with p*ssy juice, I didn't mind I kept thrusting while adding an extra finger making it three.

"Put it in already " she said impatiently.. "Beg me" I responded

"Please baby, hmmm" she moaned. I took my mouth off her boobs and moved forward to kiss her while rubbing my dick and caressing her boobs with the other hand. I teased her by rubbing my cap on the surface before actually putting it in and continued.. She moaned loudly.. I didn't stop till we were both exhausted...

The moment it was over, Andre leaned against the cool wall of the bathroom, chest rising and falling as if he'd just run a marathon. The girl still half-dressed, reapplied her lip gloss in the mirror like it was just another night. Her body language was confident, casual, and practiced.

"That was fun," she said, zipping up her dress. "You look like you needed it."

Andre didn't reply. But in truth... he did like it.

He had enjoyed it. Maybe more than he was willing to admit. Her body had been soft, willing. Her kiss was fierce. Her hands had explored him like she knew exactly where he needed to be touched. There was something comforting in how unapologetic she was, how little she expected from him emotionally.

But his heart was still racing, but not from pleasure. His mind was a blur of thoughts jumping back to Jess, to her message.

The girl turned to him, smoothing down her top. "You okay?"

"Yeah," he said, too quickly. "I'm fine."

"You're quiet."

He nodded once. "I just... needed to get out of my head."

"Well, mission accomplished." She gave him a playful wink and grabbed her clutch. "I'll be at the bar if you feel like round two."

Andre didn't move. He waited until she left before finally straightening up and walking out, the pulsing club lights stinging his eyes like sunlight.

The music was louder now. The crowd had thickened. He weaved through bodies and strobe lights, numb to the beat.

At their booth, Geoffrey was already back with his shirt half-unbuttoned, a drink in one hand, and a girl on his lap.

"There he is!" Geoffrey beamed. "My guy! How was it?"

Andre gave a half-shrug, dropping into his seat. "Fine."

Geoffrey laughed. "Fine? You disappear with a goddess for thirty minutes and come back looking like someone just shot your childhood dog. What happened? She bites?"

"She talked a lot."

"That's a good thing, right?"

Andre didn't answer. His eyes drifted around the club. He watched people laugh, dance, make out, spill drinks, all tangled in moments that didn't feel real to him anymore.

Geoffrey leaned closer, lowering his voice. "Okay, serious talk, what's going on with you?"

"I told you. Long week."

"Don't give me that textbook answer. You're off, man. Like... scary off."

Andre looked at his drink. "I just needed a release."

"And?"

"It didn't help."

Geoffrey frowned. "So it's that girl?"

Andre didn't respond.

Geoffrey exhaled, finishing his drink and setting it down with a thud. "Man, you're in too deep. You need to let her go."

"Maybe I can't."

"Then drink until you do," he said, handing him another shot. "Forget her. Forget everything. Just for tonight."

Andre took the shot. It burned, but it didn't bring clarity. Just silence.

He leaned back in his seat, letting the music swallow him whole.

Somewhere across the room, the girl from the bathroom had already moved on dancing with someone else, smiling as if nothing had happened.

And Andre?

He liked the sex.

He enjoyed it.

The softness of her skin. The way she held eye contact. How she took control and didn't ask for permission or apologies. It wasn't romantic, but it was real. Physical. Free.

For the first time in weeks, he'd felt something other than guilt.

And he wanted to keep that going.

He went back on the club floor, where everything pulsed. The music had gotten louder, faster. The room was thick with sweat, perfume, and electricity.

Geoffrey handed him another drink the moment he reappeared.

"You good now?" he shouted.

Andre nodded, and for once, it wasn't a lie.

They joined a circle of dancers near the DJ booth. Someone had opened a bottle of champagne and was spraying it wildly. A girl in silver heels slipped and laughed like she didn't care. Her friends helped her up, screaming over the beat.

It was chaos.

Beautiful, drunken chaos.

Andre found himself dancing again, this time with a different girl. She wore glitter eyeliner and smelled like vanilla. Her hands wrapped around his waist like she already knew him.

He leaned into it.

He wasn't thinking about Jess right now. He was just enjoying the moment

Just bodies, bass, and blinding lights.

Across the room, Geoffrey was making a scene, hyping the DJ, taking selfies with strangers, even trying to dance and battle a guy twice his size.

Andre laughed harder than he had in weeks.

At one point, someone started a chant. A group gathered around the VIP booth shouting lyrics to a song they all knew by heart. The floor shook. A security guard tried to calm things down, but no one listened.

It was a mess.

A beautiful, blurry mess.

By the time the club lights dimmed in that unmistakable "we're closing soon" kind of way, it was past 4 a.m. Andre had lost count of his drinks. His throat was dry. His shirt was wrinkled from dancing. He couldn't even remember the last time he'd checked his phone.

He didn't want to.

"Bro," Geoffrey slurred, draping an arm around Andre's shoulders. "Tell me this wasn't the reset you needed."

Andre nodded, a tired grin tugging at his lips. "It was."

"See? I told you. Trust the process."

They stumbled outside together, laughter trailing behind them like perfume.

The air was cooler now. Quiet. The city is winding down.

They waited for their ride in silence, watching a couple argue on the sidewalk, then kiss as if nothing happened. Life was strange like that.

In the back of the cab, Geoffrey passed out with his mouth open. Andre stared out the window, watching the streetlights smear across the glass.

His head buzzed, but not just from alcohol.

He felt... good.

Not whole. Not clean. But lighter. Like the weight of everything had loosened its grip, if only it would stay longer than one night.

Back at the lodge, they stumbled into their room like dying zombies. Geoffrey mumbled something about a sandwich before face-planting into his mattress.

Andre took off his clothes one layer at a time. Kicked off his sneakers. Didn't bother with the lights.

He collapsed onto his bed, the world still spinning.

Somewhere in the dark, his phone buzzed again.

He ignored it.

For the first time in days... he let himself forget.

The conference hall at Central Bay Hall buzzed with soft chatter and the clinking of coffee cups. Sunlight filtered through wide windows, casting long beams across folding chairs and colorful banners that read:

"She Speaks: Building Boundaries, Finding Power."

Jessica Harts sat somewhere in the middle of the room, arms folded across her chest, eyes low beneath the subtle tint of her glasses. She wasn't supposed to be here today. She had told Ann, her coursemate that she was staying in her hostel because she was "bored."

That was a lie.

She had needed space.

Mental space. Emotional space.

She needed to breathe.

The speaker onstage was tall, with short platinum-blonde hair and a voice that carried across the hall like silk cutting glass. "No one-no matter how close they are-has the right to touch your body without your permission. Not a boyfriend. Not a friend. Not even someone you call 'family.'"

Jess's chest tightened.

She knew the speaker wasn't talking to her specifically. But somehow, it felt personal. Like the woman's eyes were trained directly on her.

She blinked away the burning in her eyes.

Earlier That Morning...

Jess had woken up early. Her roommate, Claire, was already in the shower, humming off-key to a pop song Jess couldn't quite recognize.

"Morning," Claire said brightly, stepping out moments later with a towel around her head. She looked radiant as always, with peach-toned skin, naturally arched brows, and a head full of soft red curls. Everything about Claire screamed Pinterest-ready.

Jess nodded, forcing a smile.

"You sure you're okay?" Claire asked, drying her arms as she noticed Jess hadn't moved much from where she sat on her bed.

"Just tired," Jess mumbled.

"You've been tired for three days, Jess."

She didn't respond.

Claire sat next to her, not pressing too hard. That was Claire's way, always gentle, but never unaware.

Back at the event...

After the main talk, Jess found herself seated beside two girls from her faculty, Zoe and Mallory.

"I'm so glad we came," Mallory whispered. "That last speaker? Whew. Gave me chills."

Zoe nodded. "Especially the part about trauma responses. Like... how your body freezes even if your brain's screaming 'run.'"

Jess swallowed.

She turned to her notebook and scribbled a line just to keep her hands busy.

"Don't ignore what your body remembers, even if your mind wants to forget."

She drew a small heart next to it. Then furiously scratched it out.

Flashback: The Lighter Days

She remembered when Andre first walked her to her lecture hall, how he had shielded her from the afternoon sun with his notebook. He joked that he'd always be her umbrella if she ever needed one.

She had laughed so hard her cheeks hurt.

That was the Andre she had trusted. The one she'd shared secrets with, like how she hated her smile because one of her teeth was crooked. He had told her it was her best feature.

She had believed him.

They studied in the library together. Walked through the park near Eastwood Hall eating ice cream. She had once fallen asleep on his shoulder while reading To Kill A Mockingbird on the lawn behind the engineering block.

Now?

That shoulder no longer felt safe to rest on.

Back at Campus

Jess returned to campus just before sundown, tired but mentally revived. The empowerment seminar had been exactly what she needed, words of strength, stories of resilience, women clapping for each other's growth. For a while, it made her forget the strange weight she'd been carrying. The silence. Andre's eyes. That kiss.

But as she walked through the campus gates, reality tiptoed back into her chest like a whisper she couldn't ignore.

Claire was waiting for her in the room, cross-legged on the bed with her hair wrapped in a messy scarf and snacks scattered all around. Scrolling through Pinterest boards for their dorm decor revamp.

"Finally," she said, springing to her feet. "I was about to report you missing."

Jess dropped her tote bag and smiled faintly. "I told you where I was going."

"You also told me you'd be back by three. It's almost seven."

"I stayed for a panel. It was worth it."

Claire looked at her, really looked. "Are you okay, though?"

Jess blinked. "Why wouldn't I be?"

Claire raised a brow. "You've been off all week. Even when you smile, your eyes don't. I know when you're pretending."

Jess sank onto her bed, suddenly too tired to lie. "I've just been overwhelmed."

"With school or... something else?"

Jess hesitated. "Both."

Claire didn't push. Instead, she grabbed her purse and said, "Good. Because I already made plans. We're going out."

Jess blinked. "Out where?"

"Mini girl's night out". I'm treating you don't have to worry. Food, drink, and if you behave, maybe ice cream too."

Jess let out a soft laugh. "You're bribing me with ice cream?"

"Absolutely. Because you're my roommate and my emotional support bestie, and I don't like seeing you this... dimmed."

Jess felt a lump rise in her throat. "Claire, you don't have to"

"But I want to," Claire cut in, already pulling her into a hug. "Now get changed, Queen. We're going to have fun."

They ended up at a cozy rooftop café not far from campus. The sun had just dipped below the skyline, bathing the sky in dusky pink and gold. String lights twinkled overhead, and the scent of grilled chicken, cinnamon, and melting cheese filled the air.

They ordered mocktails, cheesy fries, chicken wraps, and Claire paid every bill without flinching.

Jess found herself laughing, for the first time in days. They talked about their classes, their annoying course reps, boys they both pretended not to like, and what kind of weddings they'd have if they ever married billionaires.

It felt normal. Safe.

Until, for a split second, Andre's face flashed through her mind again. That look in his eyes. The way he left that day after kissing her without saying a word.

She swallowed her smile and looked down at her drink.

Claire noticed. "You went quiet again."

Jess forced a smile. "Just tired."

Claire nodded slowly, as if deciding not to push. "Then let's end the night with ice cream. Happiness on a cone."

Jess laughed softly and followed her to the walk-in parlor nearby. And for a little while longer, she let herself forget.

Forget how fast things had changed.

Forget how quickly safety had started to feel like an illusion.

They left the ice cream stand with laughter still buzzing in their chests and sticky sweetness on their fingers. The walk back to the hostel was slow and lazy, the kind of pace that only came with full bellies and tired legs.

Claire was already yawning before they reached the stairwell.

"I'm so full and feel so heavy," she groaned, dragging her feet like a zombie. "That food knocked me out."

"You were the one who insisted on extra toppings," Jess teased.

"It was for you," Claire whined dramatically. "Healing-through-gluttony therapy. Now I've sacrificed my whole stomach for your emotional well-being."

Jess chuckled. "You're so dramatic."

They reached the room, and Claire tossed her tote bag onto the floor before collapsing straight onto her bed like a sack of laundry.

"Off to dreamland," she mumbled,

"Oh wait" she stood up like she almost forgot something, reaching into her bag and blindly tossing something toward Jess. It landed on her lap with a soft thud.

Jess looked down.

A chocolate bar.

"Thanks," she said with a small smile.

Claire waved her off sleepily. "Eat it, don't cry over it. G'night."

She went back to bed, wore her headset, and buried herself under her blanket, and within minutes, her breathing slowed into a soft, rhythmic hum. Out cold.

Jess sat at the edge of her bed, chocolate still unopened in her hand. The quiet settled around her like a second skin. Outside, the night was humming, distant traffic, a dog barking, wind rustling the trees. Normal sounds. But her mind wasn't quiet.

Jess dropped onto her bed with a sigh.

Her phone buzzed.

A text from her older sister, Jasmine.

"Hey baby bird. You've been quiet lately. How's school?"

Jess didn't reply right away. She stared at the screen, heart aching with a heaviness she couldn't name.

She considered typing:

"I kissed someone and I think he's dangerous now."

But deleted it.

Instead, she wrote:

"Been busy. You?"

Jasmine replied instantly.

"Still working crazy hours. Can't wait to fly over soon. Maybe next weekend?"

Jess bit her lip.

Maybe she should tell Jasmine something was bothering her. She always knew what to say.

But that was the thing about Jasmine, she didn't hold back. If Jess told her... something serious might happen.

Nighttime

The stars outside Jess's window blinked faintly through the dusty glass.

Claire had long fallen asleep, soft music playing from her headphones.

Jess sat up, with her back against the wall, knees drawn to her chest, clutching her phone.

She opened her chat with Andre.

Typed something.

Deleted it.

Typed again.

"I'm afraid of you."

She deleted it.

Typed once more.

"What happened to you?"

Sent.

Seconds passed. No reply.

She waited.

Eventually, she locked her phone, placed it face-down on the desk, and whispered into the silence:

"What if I fall in love with him?"