All the students were gradually settling into the new building, with council presidents guiding their departments to their designated sectors while also enforcing departmental rules.
Classes would not officially begin until after the Gallor, so most students spent their time either lazing around or exploring the perks of the new building.
That was exactly what Persha was doing.
He and Baylee were currently at the cafeteria, specifically the food court section.
The cafeteria itself was massive, clearly designed to accommodate the entire university population.
Persha stood with a cup of juice in hand while Baylee passionately ranted about how much he loved the new general library.
Persha, however, was barely listening.
His mind kept drifting elsewhere.
To Zabi.
It had only been two days since their encounter in the sculpture studio, yet somehow she had managed to stay stuck in his head ever since.
And just as expected, fate decided to make his day worse.
Marcel.
And hanging possessively on his arm was Katrina Vouge, looking just as bitchy as ever.
Persha immediately attempted to walk past them, but Marcel stepped into his path.
“You shouldn’t avoid me, Persha.
We’re not enemies.”
Persha inhaled deeply, mentally preparing himself to face his cheating ex boyfriend and his equally irritating girlfriend.
Katrina’s grip around Marcel’s arm tightened almost possessively.
Persha rolled his eyes internally.
“Yeah, we’re not enemies,” he replied dryly.
“I’m just not interested in being your friend.
I prefer not associating myself with you.”
Marcel laughed softly.
“No need to end things on a bad note, Persha.
We just weren’t made for each other, like Katrina and I are.”
He glanced affectionately at her.
“Right, babe?”
Persha locked eyes with Baylee.
The both of them immediately burst into laughter.
“Well, whatever floats your boat,” Persha replied between giggles.
Still laughing, he turned to walk away with his juice still in hand.
Only to slam directly into someone.
The drink spilled all over their shirt.
“Oh my God.
Oh my God, I’m sorry.
I’m so sorry,” Persha rambled frantically, immediately using his sleeves to wipe at the stained fabric in hopes of reducing the damage.
At first, the person said nothing.
They simply stood there while Persha panicked. You are reading on g.com, the official source.
Then Zabi’s eyes slowly drifted toward Marcel.
Oddly enough, Marcel was not looking at her.
Nor was he looking at Katrina.
His gaze was fixed entirely on Persha.
And as someone who had mastered reading emotions through years of sculpting expressions into stone, Zabi pieced things together almost instantly.
A small smirk stretched across her face.
She grabbed Persha’s wrists gently.
Persha still had not properly looked up yet, too busy blurting out apologies every three seconds.
Then he finally looked at her.
A gasp escaped him.
“It’s you.”
“It’s me?” Zabi repeated calmly, still holding his hands.
“No, no, I mean…
I’m sorry.
I’m really sorry.
I can buy you a new shirt or dry clean this one if you want.”
“Don’t bother.
I’ll handle it,” she replied smoothly, finally letting go of him.
She reached into her pocket and brought out a napkin, casually wiping at the stain on her shirt.
Before Persha could apologize again, Katrina suddenly shoved herself between them.
“Hello, you’re the Council President for Art’s Department right?,” Katrina said with an overly sweet smile.
“I’m guessing you know who I am.
I’m Katrina Vouge.
Nice to meet you.”
She stretched her hand forward expectantly.
Zabi paused.
Her gaze slowly traveled from Katrina’s face to her outstretched hand.
“Do you want a cookie?” she asked flatly.
Katrina’s face twisted in confusion.
“I don’t know you.
Why are you speaking to me?”
Silence.
Katrina visibly stiffened.
Zabi did not even spare her another glance.
Instead, she turned back toward Persha.
“Come get it after lunch.”
“What?” Persha blinked.
“You said you’d dry clean it, right?
I’ll be in my studio.”
Then she walked away.
“Oh…
okay.
Sorry,” Persha called after her, apologizing again even though she probably could not hear him anymore.
Before leaving, he locked eyes with Katrina briefly.
Then he grabbed Baylee and hurried away.
Lunch came faster than expected.
The cafeteria buzzed with energy as students happily interacted with people from other departments for the first time.
Persha and his friends sat together at a table eating lunch, though Persha barely touched his food.
His attention kept drifting between his untouched meal and the time displayed on his phone.
The faster he got Zabi’s shirt cleaned, the faster he could escape the mess he had accidentally created for himself.
“Pretty boy?”
Persha blinked and looked up.
“What are you thinking about?
Did you even hear what Dash said?” Baylee asked.
“No, sorry.
What did you say?” Persha replied with a quick smile to ease their concern.
“Elena announced the dress code for our department,” Dash explained.
“Commercial Department students are supposed to wear a touch of blue.
Art Department gets red, and Science gets purple.”
“Oh really?” Persha asked absentmindedly.
“Yes.
And apparently we’re not supposed to wear another department’s color,” Dash continued.
“So since we’re Commercial, we can’t wear red or purple.”
“That’s so complicated,” Victoria groaned dramatically.
“Yeah.
I guess I’ll have to go shopping after school.
Are you coming with us, Persha?” Baylee asked.
“Uh…
yeah.
But I need to get something first.
I’ll meet you guys at the gate.”
Persha stood up immediately.
His friends watched him leave.
“Gosh, he didn’t even touch his food,” Victoria pointed out.
“And it’s his favorite today.”
Still, the group quickly returned to their conversation, excitement for tomorrow’s Gallor flowing through.