# Chapter 7:

Melinda's POV

After leaving the stadium, I practically jogged back to Oak Apartments, glancing over my shoulder repeatedly as if something was following me. When I finally closed the apartment door and leaned against it, breathing heavily, I felt ridiculous. What was I afraid of? Michael still had the second half of the game to play—how could he possibly abandon everything to chase after me?

"You're being paranoid, Melinda," I whispered to myself.

I kicked off my shoes and headed to the bathroom for a hot shower, letting the water wash away the lingering tension on my skin. After changing into loose loungewear, I collapsed onto the sofa, picked up my anatomy textbook, and tried to focus on next week's lab practical. But those golden-brown eyes kept appearing in my mind, making concentration impossible.

"It was just a one-night stand," I quietly reminded myself. "Everyone at Pine Ridge knows Michael never dates the same girl twice."

My fingers unconsciously traced the talisman on my neck, which felt warmer than usual, as if responding to my memories of that night.

I attempted to force myself to read the chapter on cranial nerves, but vivid memories kept invading my thoughts—how his strong arms had lifted me, how his lips had hungrily sucked on my neck. The unprecedented fullness and slight pain when he entered me. I remembered how I'd moaned with his thrusts, how I'd trembled with each deep penetration...

My eyes snapped open as heat rushed to my cheeks and lower abdomen. My heart pounded, my breathing quickened. God, what was I thinking about here? I slammed the book shut and buried my face in my hands.

The sound of the apartment door suddenly opening interrupted my thoughts. Olivia was back, an annoyed expression on her face.

"Where did you go?" she asked, carelessly tossing her backpack on the floor.

I kept my head down, hoping she wouldn't notice my flushed cheeks. "My stomach started hurting, probably from all that vodka last night. There were too many people, I couldn't get back to you, so I decided to head back to the dorm."

Olivia sighed, flipping her thick black curls. "Well, I hope you're feeling better now, because there's a celebration party tonight in the protected forest area for the basketball team's win. Don't even think about refusing!" She pointed at me, raising an eyebrow. "And wear something sexy, let Jason see what he's missing."

Before I could respond, she was already heading to her room, clearly getting ready for the party. I grabbed my phone and texted Zoe:

"Where are you? Are you going to the forest party later?"

A few minutes later, Zoe replied: "Yeah. Promised Olivia."

I walked into my bedroom and stood in front of my closet, unsure what to wear. My fingers slid across various outfits before settling on a black skirt paired with leggings and boots. Standing before the mirror, I wondered why I suddenly cared so much about my appearance. I told myself it was to make Jason regret his actions, but deep down, I knew this had nothing to do with Jason.

I wanted to look good... for Michael. This realization sent a shiver through me. I undid my ponytail and redid it, making sure every strand was in place. I even added some eyeliner and lipstick, something almost unimaginable for my usual self.

Ready, I left my room to find Olivia and Zoe waiting. Olivia wore a red dress, while Zoe was dressed in her typical all-black with her purple short hair.

"Wow, Mel!" Olivia exclaimed, nudging me with her elbow. "You look great tonight!"

"Thanks," I smiled back. "So do you."

"If you two are done admiring each other," Zoe interrupted impatiently, "can we go? The sooner we get there, the sooner we can leave."

We left the apartment and walked along the path toward the protected forest area. The night air was fresh and cool, the full moon hanging high in the sky, casting silver light. I felt my talisman growing warm against my neck.

"Is that necklace new?" Olivia noticed my constant touching of it.

"No," I answered. "My foster parents gave it to me on my sixteenth birthday. It's supposedly the only thing left by my birth parents."

"It looks ancient," Zoe suddenly took interest, leaning closer to examine it. "Has an odd energy about it."

Before I could respond, the sounds of the party reached our ears. A bonfire blazed in the center of the old wooden cabin clearing, music blared, and students danced, drank, and laughed around the flames.

"Like a bunch of primates," Zoe muttered, pulling her hoodie over her head. She took out a hand-rolled cigarette and walked off to a shadowy spot. We were used to her solitary nature and didn't mind.

"I'll get us something to drink," Olivia said. "Beer?"

I nodded, watching her navigate through the crowd toward the large coolers filled with ice and beer. I stood alone at the edge of the bonfire, feeling somewhat awkward. Despite the lively party, I felt strangely bored. I accepted the beer Olivia brought back, looking around for somewhere to pass the time. Jason didn't seem to be present, which was a relief.

The music was too loud, giving me a headache. Olivia quickly melded into the crowd, dancing with some basketball team members. Holding my beer, I decided to explore the surroundings. The cabin area looked quieter than the bonfire zone.

I wandered aimlessly between the cabins, my thoughts drifting. As I passed a slightly secluded cabin, the sound of an argument caught my attention. Curious, I approached, straining to hear.

"Listen, I thought I made it clear that I was just having fun!"

I immediately recognized that voice: Caitlin Brown. And arguing with her was none other than...

"I broke up with my girlfriend for you!" Jason's voice was filled with anger and disappointment. "You said we'd be together!"

My heart raced. Had he and Caitlin started before me? Or after that night at my birthday party? Disgusting.

Caitlin scoffed dismissively. "Don't be such a child, you knew what you were doing. Why would I commit to you when I can have any guy I want?"

"Really? Any guy?" Jason said sarcastically. "What about Michael? The whole campus knows he dumped you. Why don't you go ask him to dance?"

I heard footsteps on the wooden boards and quickly lowered my head, pretending to focus on my phone. The door was yanked open, and Caitlin appeared in the doorway, looking down at me, her blonde hair gleaming in the moonlight.

She glared at me without saying a word, then flipped her hair and sauntered down the steps.

I watched as she walked straight to the bonfire, where a familiar tall figure stood—Michael. He was alone, drinking beer, surrounded by a group of girls—including Olivia—all trying to get his attention. My heart skipped a beat. So he did come.

"Hey, Michael," Caitlin said in a sweet voice, her golden ponytail swinging with her movements.

"Hey," Michael responded briefly. To my surprise, his gaze moved past Caitlin's shoulder and locked directly onto me. I felt his golden-brown eyes seemed to stare into my soul, rendering me immobile. The moment ended quickly as his attention returned to Caitlin.

Caitlin leaned forward, revealing her cleavage. "Want to dance?" she asked softly. "It's been a long time since we danced together."

I held my breath, feeling strangely tense. Michael frowned, taking a sip of his beer.

"Caitlin, we broke up a long time ago," Michael said calmly, his voice filled with obvious impatience.

Caitlin tugged at her cheerleader skirt. "Oh, come on!" she raised her voice. "You can't tell me you don't miss this."

Michael simply shrugged and turned back to continue chatting with the other girls, as if Caitlin didn't exist.

After Caitlin left, rebuffed, Michael's gaze suddenly turned to me again, so focused, so intense. In the firelight, his eyes seemed to flicker with a golden glow. Meeting his stare for a moment, I felt breathless.

This was too much. I needed space, needed to think. I put down my barely-touched beer and quickly walked away, hiding behind an empty cabin. I just needed a few minutes alone, then I could go back... hopefully by then Michael would have found a new focus for his attention.

"Hi, Melinda."

His voice behind me, deep and magnetic, almost made me jump. I spun around to see Michael's tall figure blocking the firelight. How did he move so quickly?

And when we met at the bar on the edge of the forest, we never exchanged names. How did he know I was Melinda?

"How... how do you know my name?" I asked, my voice shakier than I expected.

Michael seemed to pause for a moment, then smiled slightly. "Everyone on campus knows Melinda Clarke from the medical school."

Really? But I just wanted to leave. I tried to walk past him back to the bonfire. However, Michael blocked my path, arms crossed over his broad chest.

"Why are you avoiding me?" he asked, with a hint of hurt in his voice that surprised me.

I stopped, biting my lip. "I'm not avoiding you."

"Seems like it," he replied.

"Everyone on campus knows you never date the same girl twice," I said quietly, struggling to control my emotions. "I'm doing you a favor, making things simple."

"Is that what you really think of me?" Michael asked, not bothering to lower his voice.

I didn't speak, trying again to move past him.

This time he didn't block me, but turned to follow, his brow furrowed. "You're different," he said, his voice becoming low and serious.

I stopped walking.

Michael moved closer to me, close enough that I could feel the heat from his body.

"I want a second time with you."