Danna entered the university wearing a purple peplum top and blue jeans, books in her hand, her hair tied in a ponytail. Natalia was waiting for her in the cafeteria. As soon as she saw her, she hugged her tightly. Natalia was dressed casually in a pink dress; her hair tied in a bun.
"I missed you, Bestie! It feels like years have passed," said Natalia, smiling warmly.
Danna smiled back. "I missed you too."
Then, she heard a familiar deep voice from behind.
"Miss Coffee, finally you're back to cause trouble."
Danna turned around to find the same sharp gaze, a black jacket, the forever bracelet on his hand, and a smirk playing on his lips. It was Garson.
Danna smirked, lifting an eyebrow. "Look who's finally decided to show up. I was starting to think you only exist in my nightmares."
Garson chuckled, stepping closer. "Nightmares? Please, I'm more like your daily caffeine fix—you can't live without me."
Danna shook her head, grinning. "Funny, because last time I checked, you're the one always needing a pep talk."
Garson's eyes twinkled. "Jealous? I'm just giving you a chance to keep up."
Natalia rolled her eyes, but Danna shot her a warning look. "Nat, don't encourage him."
Garson winked. "Careful, Miss Coffee, or I'll start thinking you like my company."
Danna laughed, a little breathless. "Don't flatter yourself."
"Whatever," Danna said with a smirk, locking eyes with Garson. "We're still enemies, Mr. Monroe."
Garson's grin widened, eyes sparkling with mischief. "Enemies, huh? That just makes the game more interesting."
Danna raised an eyebrow. "Careful what you wish for."
Danna turned on her heel, her ponytail swaying as she walked past him with Natalia. "Come on, Nat. Let's not waste time with background characters."
Garson let out a low chuckle, eyes trailing after her. "Still as dramatic as ever, Miss Coffee."
Danna didn't stop walking, but she tossed a grin over her shoulder. "And you're still clinging to my spotlight."
Natalia giggled quietly as they disappeared into the hallway.
Garson stood there, hands in his jacket pockets, smirk tugging at the corner of his lips as he watched her go.
"Whatever. Enemies don't need goodbyes," he muttered, shaking his head.
And with that, he turned and walked the other way.
Natalia and Danna were sitting together in class, their books open, mid-giggle about something when a familiar voice cut through.
"Ahem ahem… Miss Natalia, that's my seat," Garson said, standing beside them with that signature smirk.
Danna rolled her eyes instantly. "Seriously? This isn't kindergarten, Garson."
She reached for Natalia's hand. "Come on, Nat, let's move—some people are allergic to growing up."
But just as she stood, Garson stepped in, placing a hand on the desk, eyes locked on hers.
"Chich chich… You're not going anywhere," he said with a grin. "You're sitting with me."
Danna narrowed her eyes. "And if I don't?"
Garson shrugged casually. "Then I'll just make the whole class think you're too shy to sit next to your favorite enemy."
Natalia blinked between them. "Should I… leave you two to continue your rom-com in peace?"
"Shut up," Danna and Garson said at the same time—then both paused and looked away, annoyed.
Natalia awkwardly stood, giving Danna a good luck surviving look before slipping away to another seat.
Garson dropped into the chair beside Danna, way too pleased with himself.
"I think you forgot what Miss Loren said," he said smoothly, turning just enough to face her.
Danna blinked, then groaned under her breath as the memory hit. "You and Garson will be seat partners for the rest of the semester as i have to discuss tasks with you," Miss Loren had said with that teacher-knows-best tone.
Danna cursed under her breath. "Of course she did," she muttered, flipping open her notebook with more force than necessary.
Garson leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, the smirk never leaving. "Don't worry, Miss Coffee. I don't bite."
Danna side-eyed him. "Too bad. I do."
Garson leaned in slightly, voice low and playful. "Mmm... figures. I always knew you had a dangerous side."
His smirk deepened. "Just try not to leave bite marks, Miss Coffee—this is still a classroom."
"You're crazy," Danna muttered, her heartbeat thudding louder than she'd like to admit as she looked the other way, refusing to meet his eyes.
Garson leaned in just a little, voice dripping with amusement.
"I'm waiting," he said, smirking like he already knew the effect he had on her.
Danna didn't respond. She couldn't—not without giving him the satisfaction.
Instead, she stared straight ahead, jaw clenched, trying to ignore the smug presence beside her and the blush threatening to creep up her neck.
Garson chuckled under his breath.
This was going to be a fun semester.
Before Danna could even mentally recover, the classroom door swung open and in walked Miss Loren, holding a stack of papers and a look that meant business.
"Alright, everyone," she said, setting the papers on her desk. "Let's begin with a little warm-up. Since our semester project involves teamwork, I want you to start presenting your topic ideas—right now. In front of the class."
A few students groaned. Danna stared ahead, silently praying not to be called.
"Let's start with... Danna and Garson."
Danna's head snapped up. "What?"
Garson grinned like he'd just won a lottery. "Looks like the universe loves me today."
"Come on," Miss Loren said without looking up. "Both of you. Front and center."
Danna stood slowly, every step feeling like a betrayal to her pride. Garson, on the other hand, looked way too pleased, casually strolling beside her like he owned the room.
As they reached the front, Danna whispered out of the side of her mouth, "You better not say anything stupid."
Garson whispered back, "Define stupid. Because if I mention how fast your heart's beating, does that count?"
She shot him a warning glare as the class watched expectantly.
Garson stepped forward, all confidence and charm. "So," he began, "our project explores how people with completely opposite personalities can still manage to function—barely—when stuck together."
Danna raised an eyebrow. "What he means is, we'll be focusing on communication breakdowns and how conflict affects productivity."
Garson grinned. "Told you. Total opposites."
Miss Loren nodded. "Interesting. Let's see if your team survives long enough to finish it."
The class chuckled. Danna folded her arms. Garson winked.
They returned to their seats as the next group nervously took the stage. Danna sat stiffly, arms crossed, eyes fixed forward like nothing had happened.
Garson, for once, was quiet.
He slouched in his chair, pretending to listen to the presentation, but his gaze drifted—slowly—until it landed on her.
Her ponytail had loosened slightly, a few strands brushing against her cheek. Her brows furrowed in concentration, lips pursed as she took notes. But it was her eyes—those sharp, hazel eyes—that caught him off guard.
Something about her… the way she sat like she was constantly ready to fight, the way she challenged every word he said—
It pulled him in.
Garson blinked and looked away, annoyed with himself.
No. She's annoying. Dramatic. Infuriating.
And yet…
His gaze drifted back.
Danna must've felt it, because she turned slightly, eyes narrowing. "Do you mind?"
Garson smirked, covering up the flicker of something deeper.
"Just admiring my competition."
Danna scoffed. "Keep staring and you'll go blind."
He chuckled low under his breath, turning his attention back to the front—barely.
Garson's eyes stayed fixed on Danna a moment longer than he meant to.
That's when Grace noticed.
Her eyes flickered, sharp and green with nothing but pure jealousy, burning quietly beneath her calm exterior.
Across the room, Aiden sat beside Natalia, watching the scene unfold with a knowing smile. He caught the tension in Garson's gaze, the way it lingered just a little too long.
But Garson shook it off, pretending to focus on the presentation like nothing was going on.
It's nothing, he told himself, but inside, something twisted.
The lecture ended, and students started gathering their things.
Danna was about to stand when Garson's voice stopped her.
"Ahem, hold up. We have to discuss the presentation—can't exactly leave the classroom yet."
He smirked, folding his arms like the self-appointed project boss.
Danna shot him a glare. "You're kidding, right?"
Garson shook his head, eyes gleaming. "Not a chance. Teamwork, remember?"
Danna sighed, grabbing her notebook reluctantly. "Great. Just what I needed."
As Danna reluctantly opened her notebook, Aiden and Natalia casually walked over.
Aiden grinned, nudging Garson. "Danna, someone really wants you to stick around… so you better just stay."
He gave Garson a teasing look, while Natalia smiled softly beside him.
Garson rolled his eyes, crossing his arms. "Shut up, Aiden," he said in a sharp, annoyed tone—but the slight twitch of a smile betrayed him.
Danna looked at Garson confused while Aiden and Natalia left the classroom.