Chapter 2 Walking Red Flag Dipped in Good Cologne!

I threw off my blanket and jumped out of bed, a bright grin spreading across my face.

"Third year, baby," I whispered to myself, my voice full of excitement.

I grabbed my notepad and books, tossing them into my bag without a second thought. Sliding into a peach-colored fitted top and my dark skinny jeans, I paused only to lace up my white sneakers. They were still spotless, and I wasn't about to ruin that.

I clipped on my sparkling earrings and sprayed a bit of vanilla perfume onto my neck. The mirror caught my attention. I stopped in front of it, standing tall.

My room wasn't anything fancy-just a small wooden bed, a reading table always messy with novels and half-used pens, shelves full of my favorite books, and a flower-patterned curtain swaying in the breeze.

Around the mirror's edges were sticky notes with reminders like "Ace that test!" and "Be kind to yourself."

I stared at my reflection. My curls spilled down to my waist, and my blue eyes sparkled like they had their own light. The scar just above my brow was faint, but always there.

Somehow, it never made me feel less pretty.

"One more year to go," I whispered. "I'm going to make the most of it."

With that, I grabbed my phone and stepped out.

Lectures passed in a blur. When it ended, I called Raven.

"Where are you at?" I asked, already heading toward our usual meeting spot under the tree.

"Still stuck in Econ," she groaned. "Wait for me?"

"Sure."

I wandered around campus, trying to kill time. That's when it happened.

I took a wrong turn, ended up in the garden behind the arts faculty-students called it Devil's Corner. I shouldn't have gone there. The moment I turned the corner, I stopped.

There he was. Noah. Locked in a very intense kiss with some girl.

I gasped.

They pulled apart at the sound.

"Oh my God! I'm sorry!" I blurted, immediately turning around and covering my eyes. "I didn't mean to-"

Wait.

Noah?

Noah Noah?

The same Noah I couldn't stand?

I turned back, narrowed my eyes, and walked toward them. I dragged a plastic chair over and sat down, folding my arms like I had all the time in the world.

Noah shot daggers at me, gesturing for me to leave. I just smirked and looked away.

The girl finally stormed off, muttering something about crazy people.

Noah marched toward me, fuming.

"What is your problem, Mia?"

"You."

"What did I do to you?"

"You exist," I replied, shrugging. "Honestly, I don't get why girls keep falling for you. You're not even that cute."

He raised an eyebrow. "Oh really?"

"Yes. You think you're God's gift to women. But trust me, you're just a walking red flag dipped in good cologne."

He said nothing. Just stared.

I continued anyway. "Sure, maybe your abs are decent-if you like guys who basically live at the gym. But that's it. You're not even close to the kind of man I admire. You're not a tenth of my father."

"Are you done?"

"Not quite," I said, leaning forward. "I used to think maybe there was something charming about you. But after this... yuck."

He stepped closer, his smile shifting into something mischievous.

"Anything else?"

His face was so close I could see the birthmark at the side of his neck. And his eyes-golden brown with an odd glow. There was a dimple. Of course he had a dimple. Stupid dimple.

I blinked, realizing my eyes had dropped to his lips.

"Mia..." he whispered, leaning in.

I held my breath.

Then he started laughing.

Loud, unbothered laughter.

"You're all talk," he said. "You call me a flirt, but look at you. I've heard you ranting with my sister. You talk about me nonstop. And now? You were ready."

"I was not!" I snapped.

"Oh, please. You were waiting for the kiss."

"Ew!"

He crossed his arms. "Let's be honest. I could have any girl I want. The most beautiful girl in the world would beg for me."

"Except me," I hissed, getting to my feet.

He scoffed. "You? You're a nerd. Not even my type."

"You're delusional," I growled, grabbing his arm. "If you were the last man on earth, I'd rather die single."

I spat-meant for the ground, but it landed too close to his shoe. Oops.

I gave him one last smirk.

"By the way, your spoiled little girlfriend Ava's been looking all over campus for you."

Then I turned and stormed off.

By the time I reached the parking lot, Raven was already in the car, texting furiously.

I got in and slammed the door shut.

"What happened?" she asked.

I stared out the windshield.

"Mia?"

"Nothing," I muttered, biting my lip.

Raven drove off.

Under my breath, I whispered, "Stupid, annoying, irresistible-"

"What was that?"

"Nothing."

She glanced at me, then gasped. "Wait. Was that... about my brother?!"

I didn't say a word.

But silence can be louder than any scream.

From that day until the end of third year, I avoided Noah like he was infected. Then came the final project.

Final-year students had to work with a junior partner-anyone from 300 level. The junior would present on their behalf. I thought I was safe.

Noah arrived late. Other juniors had been picked.

Except a few of us.

The coordinator sighed. "We'll do a random pick."

Names were placed in a basket. Noah stepped forward and pulled one out.

"Mia."

I almost fainted.

Everyone turned.

Noah grinned.

I muttered, "God, why me?"

Then I stormed out.

We had six weeks to work together. Three passed. I ignored him like my life depended on it. He chased me around campus like a lost puppy.

Then he came to my apartment.

The argument was... wild.

"You're ruining the whole project," he yelled.

"You're just scared because I'm smarter than you!" I fired back.

"You? Smarter? You're just loud."

"I'm loud? You're the one who thinks with his abs!"

Raven came bursting out of her room.

"Will you both shut up? You sound like married clowns!"

She slammed her door.

We stood there in silence.

Noah sighed. "Let's just finish the project."

"Fine," I said. "But I'm not sitting next to you."

We worked during and after lectures. Sometimes in my apartment, sometimes his. The tension shifted.

From tension to teasing.

From teasing to awkward silences.

One night, I fell asleep on his shoulder.

Another night, he brushed my hair behind my ear.

We both panicked.

Feelings were forming.

And I hated it.

So did he.