She stumbled, right as he was walking past.
Dora crashed into his chest and the crowd gasped.
But he was fast.
His hand shot out and caught her waist, steadying her before she could hit the ground.
Silence.
The whole school froze.
Dora lifted her head slowly.
Ocean-blue eyes met dark, cold ones.
For a second, the world stopped.
His grip on her waist tightened slightly, like he wasn’t ready to let go.
He looked at her like he was seeing something no one else could.
Then his lips curved into the faintest smirk.
“…Mine,” he muttered, so low only she heard it.
Claiming her right there.
For a second, she froze.
Her brows slowly pulled together.
Mine?
What the hell did that even mean?
Her confusion lasted only a heartbeat before it turned into irritation.
Dora quickly straightened herself, stepping back from him and adjusting her balance.
The warmth of his hand left her skin, but not the strange tension it brought with it.
She looked up at him properly now.
He towered over her, his expression unchanged, as though none of this bothered him.
“What did you just say?” she asked sharply.
There was nothing hesitant about her tone.
Jericho didn’t answer immediately.
His eyes stayed on her like he was studying something only he could see.
That alone annoyed her more.
Dora scoffed.
“Excuse me?
Are you deaf or do you just like talking nonsense?”
A few students nearby gasped softly, already sensing she had no idea who she was speaking to.
But Dora didn’t care.
Not after what Mikel did to her.
Not after everything.
Jericho tilted his head slightly, the faintest trace of amusement crossing his face.
But Dora stepped forward once more, her anger building.
“Don’t stand there looking at me like that,” she snapped.
“And don’t ever say weird things like that again.
I don’t know you.” Her words were clear and final.
She brushed past him immediately, her shoulder slightly hitting his as she moved away, refusing to look back.
The crowd parted for her, but this time the air felt heavier.
Behind her, whispers erupted.
“That’s Jericho VolVok”
“Did she just yell at Jericho VolVok?”
Behind her, Jericho remained still.
But his eyes followed her.
Unmoved.
Unshaken.
And now, even more interested.
Dora walked toward the parking lot to meet Desire, but Jericho’s voice still echoed in her head.
Mine.
She scoffed under her breath.
“Is he insane?” she muttered, shaking her head like she could erase the thought.
“Dora!” Desire called out.
“I thought something happened.
I was about to come looking for you,” Desire said quickly, stepping closer and brushing Dora’s hair back with concern, pulling a cute but funny face.
On a normal day, Dora would have laughed at that.
But today, she didn’t.
She only forced a small smile.
And Desire noticed immediately.
Desire knew Dora too well.
She knew how deeply Dora loved Mikel, how she gave him everything without hesitation – time, attention, trust… all of it.
And now, he had broken her.
Desire’s jaw tightened.
“I’m fine, okay,” Dora said softly, trying to sound normal.
“Come on, I’ve got class at 10:20.”
“Wifeys!” a voice suddenly called.
Olesya Ivanova ran toward them with excitement.
She was their third friend, third year like them, and one of Crestwood University’s top swimmers.
“Gurl!” Desire laughed.
Olesya stopped right in front of Dora, her eyes wide.
“You’re trending… oh my God,” she gasped.
“I want to be like you.”
Before Dora could respond, Olesya leaned in and sniffed her clothes dramatically.
“Oh my gawd… his scent is all over you,” she said, stunned.
She sniffed again.
“Cinnamon…”
Another inhale.
“Peppermint…”
Then one more.
“Dark wood… holy fuck.”
Olesya clutched her chest like she was overwhelmed, letting out an excited squeal.
Dora’s eyes widened slightly.
She had been so angry she hadn’t even noticed.
Desire stepped in immediately, gently pulling Olesya back.
“What are you talking about?” Confused, she leaned in and sniffed Dora’s clothes herself.
Then she paused.
Olesya was right.
Cinnamon.
Peppermint.
Dark wood.
An oddly expensive scent that lingered longer than it should have.
“Wait…” Desire frowned.
“What is going on?” Dora sighed, irritation flashing across her face.
“I have a class,” she said quickly, then walked off.
Desire turned sharply to Olesya.
“What happened?” she demanded.
Olesya grinned like she’d been waiting for this moment.
“Did you hear about the two transferred students?”
“Yes,” Desire replied instantly.
“Why?”
“I swear they are hot,” Olesya said.
“Especially the red guy.
I heard his name is Jericho or whatever.
He’s my man.” Desire rolled her eyes.
“Everyone is your man.”
They both laughed.
“You don’t expect ugly guys in Crestwood?
We don’t do that here,” Desire grinned.
She shook her head, smiling despite herself, then turned to leave.
But she paused.
Slowly, she turned back.
“And how exactly is this connected to Dora?” she asked.
Olesya’s grin widened.
“Well…”