MALE DORM

5TH FLOOR HALLWAY

B5BA

"This door is his room and I would be in the other room"

"Hmm"

Her eyes focused on the big B5BA written boldly on the door, feet rooted to the ground. Confusion swirled in her mind, and she was determined to piece together the fragments of last night's memories. Knocking hesitantly on Trent's door, she waited, her heart beating faster with each passing second.

"Who is it?"

The door opened, revealing Trent's bewildered expression. "Elise," he greeted, surprise in his voice.

Composing his expression, he leaned against the doorframe, his arms folded across his chest.

"Elise, Why are you here?", his voice guarded

She met his gaze, her determination wavering slightly. "Your jacket. You left it at my place last night"

She stretched forth the black coat in a arms towards him. Shifting his gaze to the jacket, he snatched it out of her grasp,

"Thanks. Bye then"

The end of his words were followed by a slamming sound.

"Trent Lee! Did you just shut the door in my face!?", Elise's voice rose in disbelief, "I came all the way and you won't even invite me in!"

Opening the door a second time, he sighed, clearly exasperated, "I got the jacket and said thanks"

Elise's frustration was palpable as she crossed her arms. "You realise that I am standing on the hall way, in a boy's dorm hall"

Taking a moment to weigh his odds, he let out a defeated sigh, "Fine... come in"

Trent stepped back, allowing her to enter his room. It was dimly lit, the sunlight filtering in through dark closed curtains. The room was tidier than she expected, books neatly arranged on shelves, two large computer screens showing codes running and a hint of his presence in every corner.

Elise stepped into the room, looking around briefly.

"Nice decor. I'm not surprised by the aesthetics though. Very dark and moody like your soul"

Maintaining a generous distance between them, Trent raised an eyebrow, an hint of sarcasm in his voice.

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"Are you here to make fun of me, Ice princess?"

Elise smirked, her tone playful. "Fortunately for you, Fire-user, not today. I wanted to ask you about something. About last night"

Trent's expression remained guarded. "Last night?"

"I remember waiting for you at the table and I think we danced... or you ditched me. I'm not so sure. Then I woke up this morning and surprise surprise, I found your jacket. Max also told me you were there last night and maybe, just maybe I might have had something to drink. So can you help me fill in the blanks? Did I do anything stupid?"

He cut her off before she could finish, his gaze flickering away from hers. "You don't have to worry about it, Elise."

Elise frowned, frustration building within her. "But I want to remember. All I know is that we danced, and then everything's a blur."

Trent's jaw tightened, his patience wearing thin. He knew she was referring to the confession he made, the kiss they shared. But he didn't want to burden her with those memories, especially if she didn't recall them. He believed it was better this way, that it would save her from unnecessary emotional turmoil.

"Trent?"

Trent hesitated for a moment before responding, his voice cold and distant. "Nothing important. Don't worry about it"

"No, Trent," Elise insisted, her eyes narrowing. "I want to know. I deserve to know."

Trent's frustration began to show, his patience finally snapping. "It doesn't matter. You danced, had fun. You were tipsy and I took you to your room. That's all you need to remember. That's all"

Elise's voice quivered slightly. "That's all? It matters to me, Trent. Don't dismiss it like it's nothing." She could tell from his tone and body language that there was more to the story.

He clenched his fists, his voice growing more sarcastic. "You're right, Elise. It's the most important thing in the world."

Trent's voice escalated, his patience wearing thin. "Oh, congratulations. You've got it all figured out."

Her voice breaking, Elise's frustration turned into hurt. "Why won't you tell me? Why won't you trust me with the truth?"

Finally snapping out of frustration, "Elise, Nothing happened last night. If that is all you want to ask, you can go now"

Trent's chest heaved as he struggled to control his anger. He realized he had raised his voice at her, something he rarely did. Guilt mixed with his frustration, and he looked away from her tear-filled gaze.

Taking a moment to calm himself down, the tension in the room increased his guilt.

Seeing his turmoil, Elise wiped her tears away, her voice wavering but resolute. "Fine then, I'll leave."

Without waiting for his response, she turned and stormed out of the room, the door closing loudly behind her.

********************

Her sobs echoed down the hallway, reaching Samuel's ears in his nearby room.

Concern etched across his face, Samuel hesitated for a moment before stepping out into the hallway. He followed the sound of her cries until he found her sitting alone, her shoulders shaking with each sob.

"Elise?" Samuel's voice was gentle as he approached her.

Startled, Elise looked up, her teary eyes meeting his concerned gaze. Samuel offered her a kind smile. "Do you want to talk about it?"

She shook her head, unable to speak as fresh tears spilled over. Samuel didn't press her, instead offering a comforting presence. "If you ever need someone to listen, my door is always open."

His words broke down the walls around her heart, and she nodded gratefully. Samuel extended his hand, and after a moment of hesitation, Elise took it. He helped her to her feet, her touch warm in his palms.

"Come on," Samuel said softly, "let's get you out of the hallway. Let me take you to your hall."

Elise nodded, allowing him to lead her down the corridor.

******************

Trent, alone in his room, replayed the argument in his mind. He had wanted to protect her, to spare her any potential pain. But now, all he felt was regret for the way he had handled it.

Disappointment weighed heavily on his chest, and he buried his face in his hands, his heart aching with the realization that he might have pushed her away.

*********************