Craig swallowed, his throat tight, but he didn't move. For a moment, it felt like gravity pulling them together — their faces so close, breaths tangling —a fragile line neither dared to cross. Then, his phone buzzed sharply against his pocket, jolting them back to reality.
Craig pulled back, fumbling for his phone, his eyes flashing with something unreadable as he glanced at the screen.
"Adriana," he muttered under his breath.
Merlina straightened, crossing her arms across her chest, masking the sting with a polite smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. Craig hesitated, the phone still buzzing in his hand, before finally answering and turning slightly away from her.
"Hey… yeah, I'm fine. I'll be there in a bit," he said, voice low and casual.
Merlina stared out at the street, trying to gather herself. She pressed her fingers lightly to the spot on her waist where his hand had been, still feeling the heat of his touch lingering like a brand. Her heart hammered steadily against her ribs, even though she forced her breathing to stay calm.
Craig lowered the phone and sighed. "I'll have to go soon," he said quietly.
She nodded, a small gesture that said nothing and everything.
They stood there silent for a split second, the weight of what earlier happened pressing heavy between them.
"Everything okay?" Merlina asked, her voice hesitant.
Craig looked at her, something complicated flickering behind his eyes. "Yeah. Just… my girlfriend."
He said it casually, but the words hung in the air like smoke, thick and suffocating. His gaze lingered on her longer than it should have.
"But really," he added softly, "are you okay?"
Merlina swallowed the lump in her throat. She didn't want to be vulnerable — not now, not in front of him. She drew a deep breath and forced a light laugh. "Yeah. I'm fine. Thanks to you."
Craig's lips tilted into a faint smile.
"I think I can see my car." He said.
There was a beat of silence. Then he softened, voice dipping into something almost tender.
"Need a ride?"
She shook her head quickly, offering a smile she didn't feel. "I'm good, thanks. My dorm's just around the corner."
He nodded slowly, like he wasn't quite ready to walk away either. "Alright."
For a second, neither of them moved. Neither of them spoke. The space between them was filled with everything they weren't saying.
"Goodnight, Merlina," he said finally, voice low and sincere.
"Goodnight, Craig," she answered, her chest tight.
They turned away from each other, walking in opposite directions. The city lights blurred at the edges of her vision, the night air cold against her skin. Merlina's heart thudded painfully, the memory of him clinging to her like a second skin.
Later, in her dorm, moonlight spilled across the floor, casting silver shapes on the walls. Merlina lay on her bed, phone forgotten on her chest, staring blankly at the ceiling.
He's with her.
Her mind whispered cruelly.
She rolled onto her side, squeezing her eyes shut, trying to outrun the thoughts clawing at her. But the memories poured in anyway — the brush of Craig's fingers, the way he had looked at her like she was the only person who existed.
She pressed her palms to her face, desperate to hold herself together.
"Don't do this," she whispered into the darkness. "Just stop."
But it was too late.
Miles away, in the stillness of his room, Craig lay shirtless on his bed. Adriana was curled against him, her breath steady against his chest. His arm was slung loosely around her, more out of habit than affection.
Craig stared blankly at his phone in his other hand — not scrolling, not texting — just… stuck.
Trapped between memory and regret.
He closed his eyes, but it didn't help. In the darkness, he only saw Merlina — the way her eyes had shimmered, the way her body had leaned instinctively into his.
The way it had felt right.
He exhaled long and slow.
Adriana mumbled something in her sleep and snuggled closer. Craig hugged her back absently, then carefully shifted away, turning onto his side, his back to her.
Eyes open. Mind racing.
Different rooms. Same silence.
Same ache neither of them could shake.
One trying desperately to forget.
The other not ready to.
A loud bang jolted Merlina awake. The door burst open and Phoebe tumbled in, wild energy lighting up the room. She flung herself onto Megan's bed, grinning like a kid at Christmas.
"Morning, Merlina!" Phoebe chirped brightly.
She grabbed Megan's feet and tugged playfully, trying to rouse her. Megan groaned under her blanket, her voice muffled and thick with sleep.
"What now?" Megan grumbled.
Merlina, still bleary-eyed, smirked. "What happened this time?"
Phoebe beamed like she couldn't hold it in. "You won't believe it! I had the best night ever! Guess what?"
Megan groaned louder, pulling the covers tighter around her. "Later, Phoebe," she mumbled, half hiding from the world and Phoebe's energy.
"No, listen!" Phoebe insisted, practically bouncing. "Keith and I might be a thing!"
"What?!" Merlina and Megan blurted at the same time, equally stunned.
Phoebe nodded eagerly. "Yeah! He asked me out last night, and obviously, I said yes!"
"You barely know him," Megan said carefully, frowning.
Phoebe just shrugged. "Love at first sight. Why wait?"
Megan raised a skeptical brow. "Tell me you didn't sleep with him."
Phoebe hesitated — then grinned, unapologetic. "It wasn't planned. But trust me, it felt…so right. Like we were meant to be."
Megan groaned again, this time in exasperation. "Just be careful, okay?"
"I'm not judging," Merlina added gently. "But maybe… slow down a little?"
Phoebe waved off their concern. "I know what I'm doing. Keith's boyfriend material 101"
They all laughed — a little uneasy but relieved the tension was breaking — until Phoebe's gaze sharpened, mischievous.
"So, Merlina," she teased, "how'd things end with Craig Lesnar?"
Merlina stiffened for half a second, but forced a casual shrug. "It was chill. Nothing special."
Phoebe wanted to hear more, but let it go.
"He looked pissed when he saw me with Keith this morning," Phoebe said with a laugh. "Totally hilarious."
Merlina smiled faintly, but inside, her mind was already slipping back — to Craig, to the way his eyes had softened at her, to all the things neither of them had dared to say.
I can't be distracted, she reminded herself firmly.
She pushed the memory away and cleared her throat.
"Did you guys hear about the female professor who died here at Belview?" she asked, steering the conversation into darker waters.
The room immediately sobered, all laughter dying away.