FEMALE DORM

ROOM G5AB

As I returned to our dorm room, the echoes of the argument with Trent still reverberated in my mind, like a never-ending chorus of tension. It was as if the room itself held onto the remnants of our heated exchange, and I couldn't shake off the whirlwind of emotions that had left me feeling completely drained.

I slumped onto my bed without realizing that Max, my ever-studious and analytical roommate, was sitting at her desk, engrossed in her books. Her hazel eyes, framed by her glasses, lent her an intellectual air, but she was also known for her humorous nature that always managed to shine through, even in the darkest of moments.

Her eyes bore into mine, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief knowing that my confidante was there to listen.

I couldn't hold back my frustration, crying into her shoulder, "Maxxxxx....He slammed the DOOR on my face!"

Max's eyes lifted from her reading, and she glanced at me, her brows furrowing with concern. "Rough day?"

I sighed, rubbing my temples into the groove of her neck to relieve the pounding headache that had been with me since my argument with Trent. "Yeah, you could say that."

There was an understanding in Max's eyes that always managed to comfort me. "Trent?"

My gaze flickered toward her, and I couldn't help but let out a bitter chuckle. "No, Senza. Of course, it was Trent. Who else would have the guts to?"

Max's reaction was a simple shrug, as if these occurrences were just another page in the book of our tumultuous lives. "Alright. You know where to find me if you want to talk."

I attempted a sarcastic smile, appreciating the fact that Max was always there, ready to lend a listening ear. "Jeez... Thanks, Max."

She laughed. "Okay, okay. I'll stop. Now tell me what he did."

I recounted the whole story to Max, not leaving out any detail, including Samuel's unexpected presence and the comfort he had provided me.

Max, in her typical Max-like fashion, didn't waste a second to voice her suspicions. "You know, it's a bit suspicious that Samuel showed up at that exact moment to console you."

I considered her words carefully, mulling over the possibility that maybe it wasn't just a coincidence. "Yeah, but maybe it was just a fluke."

Her fingers tapped impatiently against her book, the frustration evident. "Honestly, I don't understand him. He's acting like a complete enigma. One minute he's shutting the door in your face, the next he's leaving you hanging."

I bit my lip, the frustration that had been simmering all day now boiling over. "I know, Max. It's like he's deliberately keeping me in the dark."

Frustration in her own eyes, Max shook her head. "I don't get why he's being so cryptic. And Samuel, suddenly showing up like he's your knight in shining armor. It's all too convenient."

I shook my head emphatically. "I don't care. I don't care. I'm not thinking about him anymore."

Max shook her head as well, her glasses catching the light as she stared at me. "I don't trust him. Be careful around Samuel."

I remained determined, my expression unwavering. "He just wants to be friends, Max. That's all."

Max's gaze held a mixture of concern and skepticism. "I hope you're right, but I have a feeling there's more to him than meets the eye."

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I nodded, my brows furrowing with uncertainty. "You think there's more to it?"

Max's determination shone through her eyes. "I'm going to find out. This whole situation doesn't sit right with me."

I offered her a grateful smile. "Detective Maxine to the rescue." I shot a mock salute towards her direction, making my way to my bed area.

Her lips curled into a small smile, but she issued a playful threat. "Call me that one more time, Elise Redfox, and I will write all your embarrassing stories into a book and sell them. Don't forget... I have an amazing memory."

I couldn't help but zip my mouth and giggle into my blanket, grateful for the unwavering support of my closest friend and confidante, even in the most bewildering and complex moments of our lives.

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DINING HALL

DINNER

As dinner time arrived, the dining hall was abuzz with chatter, and the clinking of utensils filled the air. Everyone was still sharing stories about the prom ball, and I tried to force a smile as I joined the lively conversation, recounting the parts I could remember from that night.

Trent, his platinum white hair glinting under the warm lights, approached our table with Awesome and Senza trailing behind. Trent had his tray of food in hand, but there was a noticeable hesitation as he glanced from me to the empty seat beside me and back again. Max, always perceptive, sensed the tension that surrounded him, narrowing her hazel eyes as she observed the unspoken interaction.

Our eyes briefly locked, and there was a silent exchange, words unspoken but feelings lingering in the air. I quickly looked away, pushing my food around my plate as I tried to hide the unease gnawing at me. Max shared a knowing look with Bri, her friend's curiosity mirroring her own.

Suddenly, a presence approached from behind Trent, and I couldn't help but stiffen as Samuel, with his calm demeanor reflected in his sky blue eyes, walked toward the seat beside me. Our smiles met, but mine felt strained, an attempt to conceal the inner turmoil. Max, as ever, seemed to capture every detail of this scene, her eidetic memory recording each nuance.

A flicker of realization passed across Max's face, and I could sense her silent decision to have a private conversation with me later. Bri, perceptive as always, shot a quizzical look at Max, who responded with a raised eyebrow, silently conveying that there was more to the situation than met the eye.

At the head of the table, Fancy called out to Trent, beckoning him to join their group. Trent's gaze remained fixated on the empty seat beside me. With a subtle shake of his head, he turned away from Fancy, clearly frustrated, and headed to another table.

His presence was replaced by a noticeable silence, a quiet void where unspoken emotions lingered. Arms crossed and eyes shut, Trent fumed quietly. Max continued to watch the interactions unfold, her thoughts racing as she attempted to piece together the puzzle of emotions and sentiments left unsaid.

As the dinner continued, the atmosphere remained charged with unspoken tension, a resonance of emotions that hung in the air. The aftermath of the prom ball still had its grip on all of us, leaving an indelible mark.

Samuel, taking his seat, reached into his bag and pulled out a container of banana-flavored yogurt. "Eli, I got this for you. I remember that it was your favorite."

Bri, sharp and observant, chimed in with a curious remark, "Isn't Elise allergic to bananas?"

I quickly interjected, forcing a polite smile despite the conflicting emotions. "It's not a problem, really."

Samuel's apologetic expression revealed his unawareness of my allergy. "I'm sorry, I didn't know."

Bri, barely above a whisper, muttered, "That's strange. Even I always knew that."

During our group's conversation, Samuel's attempts to be close continued. He brushed a strand of my hair away from my face, but I couldn't help but feel awkward, brushing it away myself with a forced smile. Max observed the interaction closely, her suspicions growing with each passing moment.

Unbeknownst to me, Max was determined to uncover the truth behind the arguments, the strained smiles, and the fleeting glances. She knew there was something beneath the surface, and she was ready to dive deeper to unravel the mysteries of our complex relationships.

As the conversation continued, Max decided to leave early with Bri, using the excuse of returning a book to the library. Samuel offered to walk me back to the dorm, and I agreed, not fully aware of the undercurrent of tension that surrounded us.

He walked me to the door of our room, and there was an unspoken tension that lingered in the air. Samuel hesitated for a moment before prodding gently, inquiring about my encounter with Trent and the state of our relationship. But hidden behind his calm exterior, I detected a flicker of possessiveness in his eyes, a hint of jealousy that was anything but subtle.

I sighed softly. "Samuel, it's been a confusing day, and I'm still trying to sort things out with Trent. Let's just take things one step at a time, okay?"

Understanding washed over Samuel's features, but a trace of frustration remained. He nodded gently. "You're right, Eli. I'm here for you, as a friend."

However, my guarded expression didn't provide the answers Samuel was seeking, leaving him dissatisfied. We exchanged goodbyes, and I entered our room, feeling the weight of uncertainty hanging over me.

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