Ezra’s eyes locked onto Eva as she walked across the campus quad, her long blonde hair fluttering in the breeze. It had been months since they last spoke, and the memory of their brief fling still lingered in his mind. He couldn’t help but feel a pang of regret and curiosity.
Without thinking, Ezra found himself walking towards her, his long strides closing the distance between them. Eva looked up, startled, as he approached. Her eyes narrowed slightly, her expression cautious.
“Eva,” he said, his deep voice low and smooth. “Long time no talk.”
Eva’s gaze faltered, her eyes darting away before returning to his face. She hesitated, her voice measured. “Ezra. What do you want?”
Ezra’s smile faltered, sensing her wariness. He had expected it, given how things ended between them. “I just wanted to catch up, see how you’re doing,” he said, trying to sound nonchalant.
Eva raised an eyebrow, her skepticism evident. “You suddenly care about my well-being after months of silence?”
Ezra’s face flushed, knowing he deserved her skepticism. “I know I messed up, Eva. I was a jerk, and I hurt you. But I’m trying to make amends, in my own way.”
Eva’s expression remained guarded, her voice firm. “Amends? You dumped me without explanation, Ezra. You ghosted me. What makes you think I’d want to talk to you now?”
Ezra’s eyes dropped, his jaw clenched in regret. He knew he had hurt her, and he didn’t blame her for her hesitation. But he wanted to make things right, somehow. “I know I can’t undo what’s done, Eva. But I want to try to make it right, in some small way. Can we just talk, please?”
The tension between them was palpable, Eva’s hesitation evident
She looked at him before sighing deeply, her expression a mix of disappointment and resignation.
“Just when Lena is finally talking to me, do you really think I would trade our friendship for anything?” she asked, her eyes locking with Ezra’s in a moment of earnest sincerity.
“I know, I know, but…” Ezra paused, his shoulders slumping with a sigh of his own.
“I really did like you,” he admitted quietly, hoping she would understand his conflicted feelings. However, her response was blunt and cutting.
“Fuck you,” she retorted sharply, rolling her eyes before turning on her heel and walking away, leaving Ezra standing there with a pang of regret gnawing at him.
~~
“She hates me more than a cat hates a mouse,” Ezra remarked later, his fingers deftly maneuvering the buttons on a game controller.
“Why did you talk to her then?” Cyrus asked, his focus unwavering on their video game session.
“Well… The time I spent with her was really nice. I enjoyed it, and I actually wanted to explore that more,” Ezra explained, glancing briefly at Cyrus who raised an eyebrow in curiosity.
“Are you saying you’re settling down now?” Cyrus teased lightly, his lips quirking into a small smile.
“Not… exactly. I mean, I’m still interested in other girls, obviously, but right now, I want her,” Ezra clarified with a chuckle, a hint of self-awareness in his tone.
“Commitment isn’t our thing, huh?” Cyrus remarked knowingly, sharing a knowing look with Ezra.
“True,” Ezra agreed, a sense of camaraderie evident in his voice as they continued their gaming session.
“Two down, four more,” Cyrus remarked casually, referring to their progress in the game.
“So… who’s your new fling?” Ezra inquired playfully, his attention divided between the screen and Cyrus.
“I’m just keeping it low-key as usual,” Cyrus replied nonchalantly, his focus still on their virtual competition.
“Hmm… Brittany?” Ezra suggested with a grin, trying to provoke a reaction.
“Brittany? Who’s Brittany?” Cyrus asked, genuinely puzzled.
“The blonde girl you were with,” Ezra reminded him, laughing softly at Cyrus’s forgetfulness.
“Oh… I thought her name was Bianca,” Cyrus said, realizing his mistake with a sheepish grin.
“Yeah… it’s Brittany, actually,” Ezra clarified with amusement, enjoying their banter as they immersed themselves in the game.
“Oh yeah, did Lena tell you about the tutorial I’m giving her in the library tomorrow?” Cyrus asked Ezra, who shook his head.
“No, she didn’t mention it,” Ezra replied, his attention momentarily diverted from the game they were playing.
“Yeah, she said she’s been struggling with Chemistry, so I offered to help,” Cyrus explained, glancing over at Ezra to gauge his reaction before refocusing on the screen.
“You guys talk now?” Ezra asked, his tone laced with curiosity.
“Yeah, a bit. Just small talk, nothing major,” Cyrus replied casually, his fingers deftly manipulating the controls.
“Just take care of her,” Ezra advised, a note of protectiveness in his voice.
“Anything for her,” Cyrus responded sincerely, a hint of warmth in his eyes
—
“So, what exactly do you and Cyrus do when you’re alone, probably at his house?” Gwen asked Selena, her expression a mix of curiosity and concern.
“We kiss,” Selena replied with a smile, her cheeks tinted pink.
“Just kissing?” Gwen probed further, raising an eyebrow.
“Yeah, Mom, nothing more than that. We haven’t taken things further,” Selena clarified, hoping to ease any worries her mother might have.
“I know, sweetheart. Just remember to take things slow and make sure he’s the right guy for you,” Gwen advised, her voice gentle yet firm.
“Thanks, Mom. You always know what to say,” Selena said gratefully, feeling fortunate to have such a supportive mother.
“You know,, Your father was actually my first, and it turned out well for us. Just make sure you’re ready and that Cyrus respects you,” Gwen added, imparting wisdom from her own experience.
“I appreciate that, Mom. I love you,” Selena said sincerely, her admiration and love for her mother shining through.
“I love you too, sweetheart,” Gwen replied warmly, a proud smile on her face as she embraced her daughter’s heartfelt words.
~~
The next day unfolded gently, like the petals of a wildflower, and Selena got ready, gathering her books before heading downstairs. In the dining area, Grey and Ezra were already seated and eating.
“Good morning, blood suckers,” Selena greeted with a playful giggle as she settled beside Grey.
“Good morning, beautiful,” Grey responded warmly, making Selena smile.
“Morning,” Ezra muttered with a sigh, focusing on his food.
“Breakfast,” Selena announced cheerfully, helping herself to the food laid out on the table.
“Damn, this tastes so good,” she remarked after a few bites.
“Yeah,” Grey agreed with a smile.
“Cyrus will come pick you up. Just wait,” Ezra informed her, and Selena nodded in acknowledgment.
“He’s really good at Chemistry,” Selena commented.
“I’m good too,” Grey interjected, earning an eye roll from Selena.
“I’d rather pass,” she teased back, prompting a chuckle from Grey.
The door opened, revealing Cyrus who, as always, looked effortlessly attractive. Selena couldn’t help but notice how he managed to look so good all the time.
Her brothers greeted Cyrus, and he joined them at the dining table.
“Good morning,” Selena greeted Cyrus warmly, flashing him a smile.
“Morning,” Cyrus replied, his attention momentarily on the food in front of him.
Breakfast came to an end, and soon it was time for Selena and Cyrus to leave.
“Take care of her,” Selena overheard Ezra saying to Cyrus.
“I will,” Cyrus assured him.
~~
Selena settled into the car next to Cyrus, who was already seated.
“Where are we going?” she asked, her gaze fixed on Cyrus.
“My house,” he replied casually, causing her to almost stop breathing. They were actually going to his apartment. She nodded in response, then turned her attention to the passing scenery outside the window.
“Do you understand Chemistry, by the way?” he asked after a moment, his eyes briefly meeting hers.
“Not really,” Selena admitted with a small shrug, feeling a touch nervous but also curious.
“Did you bring your books?” he inquired further.
“Yes,” she murmured, confirming that she had them with her.
Cyrus hummed in acknowledgment, and the rest of the journey passed in relative silence. Selena had never been to his place before, so this was a first-time experience for her. When they arrived, she couldn’t help but notice how beautiful his house was, especially considering he lived there alone.
—
“Follow me,” Cyrus instructed once they entered his house, and Selena nodded silently.
She trailed behind him as he led the way, observing the surroundings. The interior seemed devoid of bright colors and had a somewhat dark ambiance.
“Come,” he murmured, breaking her reverie, and she hurried to catch up with him.
He opened a door, revealing a room with a simple wooden table and two chairs. The table was strewn with books, prompting Selena to wonder why he had brought her here.
“Go sit there,” he directed, and she complied, settling into one of the chairs.
“I’ll be back,” he informed her before stepping out briefly.
Alone in the room, Selena took in its plainness, realizing it was clearly a study room. She had initially assumed their visit to his house would be for something more intimate, not studying.
Cyrus returned moments later, taking a seat beside her with a large chemistry textbook in hand.
“Where exactly do you need help?” he asked, his tone gentle and attentive.
Selena sighed deeply, preparing to discuss her struggles with Chemistry with him.
This is not what she had expected though!!!!
TBC