In a situation like this, running away wasn’t something to be ashamed of.
I ran fast, so fast that the scenery around me blurred. My mind was a mess, and I had only one thought: run, don’t get caught. Every time I thought about Kael and Vivienne, my heart ached. I didn’t understand how things had come to this. Had I really become their plaything without even realizing it? Everything felt so out of control.
Maybe good girls shouldn’t have gotten involved with bad students in the first place. My life used to be so peaceful. But after Vivienne slept with Lucian, everything changed. I felt miserable, my eyes stinging, my nose tingling with the threat of tears. As I ran, I took in the sights around me-neon lights, towering buildings, cars speeding past. I felt like a stray dog, head down, afraid of being touched.
I was overwhelmed by how small and powerless I felt. I had tried to stand up for myself, but I still ended up as Kael and Vivienne’s toy. Kael’s constant harassment tormented me, and Vivienne’s outright bullying hurt me deeply. But I had always been strong. Years of emotional resilience had taught me how to regulate my feelings. I needed to be braver. If Kael and Vivienne wanted to hurt me, I could fight back more courageously.
Once I realized this, the sadness seemed to ease a little. But as I walked, something felt off. I turned to look behind me-only unfamiliar faces. Damn, had I really outrun Vivienne and her friends? God, my stamina had improved so much. Back in gym class, I was always one of the slowest runners. It seemed human potential was limitless; when pushed to the edge, you could surpass your limits.
Still, something felt strange. I looked around at the unfamiliar surroundings, feeling disoriented. Where had I ended up? I stopped to catch my breath, my heart pounding from the exertion. The cold air stung my nostrils, but soon, my breathing steadied, and the fatigue from running vanished. It was as if I had just gone for a casual stroll.
I looked down at my body. What was happening to me? I felt like I could run ten more laps. This was fucking bizarre. I hated sports, always ranked at the bottom in gym class, and had no interest in any physical activity. Yet now, my stamina was incredible. I touched my face, then looked at my body again. It was the same as before, yet different. Maybe the adrenaline from the pain and the desperate need to escape had pushed me to run so fast.
“Seraphina, is that you?” A gentle male voice called out from nearby.
I turned and saw Magnus. His kind face and blue eyes glimmered softly in the dim light, like the gentle waves of the sea.
“Magnus! What a coincidence! I didn’t expect to see you here,” I said, forcing a smile. For some reason, seeing him always calmed my restless emotions. Every time I met him, I felt at peace. From the first time we met, I noticed something unusual about his demeanor-he seemed to forgive everything, all conflicts.
“I’m heading back to my apartment. It’s just over there,” Magnus said, pointing to a building about 30 feet away.
So, I had accidentally run near Magnus’s apartment! I knew the medical school was far from the other departments, and students usually lived in this area. But damn, this was about four kilometers from the Eagle Club. How had I run this far?
“What about you? Why are you here? Wait, what happened to your face?” Magnus frowned, stepping closer. He cupped my face in his hands.
I hated being touched by strangers and tried to push his hand away. “No, it’s fine.”
“Shh,” he whispered softly, as if giving a command. My movements slowed, and before I knew it, he was examining the scratches on my cheek. I realized he was genuinely concerned. Though I didn’t think the wounds were serious, he treated them with such care, as if I might break.
Magnus leaned in close, his eyes filled with worry as he studied my face. For the first time, I took a good look at him up close. No wonder Evelyn had a crush on him. His face was flawless, except for a few freckles near his eyes, which gave him a boyish charm. His deep blue eyes held a gentle melancholy, unlike Kael’s sharp, cold demeanor. Magnus reminded me of a statue in a temple, dignified and serene.
His hands were warm against my face, and soon, my cheeks felt hot. I was sure I was blushing. My heart raced-was it nervousness or embarrassment? Probably both. I couldn’t help but look away, unable to meet his gaze.
Damn it, why was I reacting like this? Maybe it was because no one had ever been this gentle with me before, especially not a guy. Boys always teased me. Like my ex-boyfriend Lucian, who slept with Vivienne while we were together, then tried to win me back as if I were a fool. Kael was the same, surrounded by beautiful girls yet fixated on me. I knew he and Vivienne were close, and he probably wanted to make me fall for him just to dump me.
Oh, I wasn’t going to be that stupid again. With that thought, I decided to be cautious about Magnus’s kindness. We weren’t even friends-just acquaintances.
“Did you get into a fight? Why are there such deep scratches on your face?” Magnus asked, his voice full of concern.
It was Vivienne’s doing, but I didn’t tell him. “I just scratched myself by accident,” I said. “I didn’t even feel it until you mentioned it.”
That was the truth. I had barely noticed the wounds because they didn’t hurt.
“No, you need to take care of yourself. Scars aren’t good for a girl’s face,” Magnus said, placing a hand on my shoulder. “My apartment is right there. Let me get you some ointment.”
“I don’t think it’s necessary. It’s late, and I should head back,” I said, reluctant to enter a stranger’s apartment. Bad memories haunted me.
“No, the scratches need to be disinfected and treated properly. I’m a medical student-you can trust me.”
His expression was so sincere it was hard to refuse. I nodded. “Just for a moment.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll leave the door open, and you can leave anytime. I’ll even give you my baseball bat if it makes you feel safer.”
Did he just read my mind? His words made me laugh, easing my tension.
I followed Magnus to his apartment. He lived alone, and the place was small but tidy, much like him. The layout was standard-kitchen and bathroom near the entrance, a living room further in, and a bedroom at the end. The decor was simple, with white and gray tones accented by light blue. What stood out were the many plants-pothos, spider plants, cacti-that filled the space with life.
“Here, Seraphina, sit down,” Magnus said, gesturing to a white folding chair.