The university of Aarush was an imposing building of red brick and wide gardens. The air smelled of autumn and new beginnings.
"Looks like something out of a movie," Kali murmured, turning to look at Dahlia as they approached.
"Or a bad dream," Dahlia replied, crossing her arms. She still wasn't completely comfortable.
As they passed through the gate, the buzz of students swallowed them up. Amidst laughter, hurried footsteps, and swinging backpacks, Kali saw him.
"Niccolo!" she shouted, and without hesitation, ran toward him. Her backpack bounced against her back as her footsteps echoed on the pavement.
The guy waiting for her had that charming, distracted air that was so uniquely his, with a crooked smile and perfectly tousled hair.
Niccolo, Italian to the bone, with the accent and attitude to match.
If chaos had a sexy, laid-back version, it would be him.
He looked like he'd walked out of a movie — and he knew it.
She threw herself into his arms. He held her tightly, his arms smelling faintly of expensive, carefree cologne.
"Principessa..." he whispered in that accent that could melt anyone. It left her breathless.
"I thought you'd forgotten about me," Kali joked, still clinging to him.
"Impossible. Although... you're looking even more beautiful. Something changed. Did you do something to your hair? Or is it just that you want me staring at you longer?"
Kali laughed, pulling away slightly.
"You're insufferable."
"I just got here."
...
Meanwhile, Dahlia wandered alone through the halls of the Philology department.
In the classroom, she sat at the back. She always chose the least visible spot.
Until a girl plopped down beside her.
"Damn stairs! This university was designed by someone who hated legs," said the newcomer.
She had pastel pink hair, heavy eyeliner, and explosive energy.
"Mind if I sit here, or is this seat reserved for tortured souls only?" she added with a crooked smile.
Dahlia blinked, confused.
"It's free."
"Perfect. I'm Viki. I saw you with Kali this morning. Roommates? Or did you kidnap her already?"
"Roommates. We just met."
"That explains the 'who-are-you-and-why-are-you-talking-to-me' face. Don't worry, it happens to me all the time. But if you sit with me, I promise not to mention exams... at least for five minutes."
Dahlia smiled. She wasn't sure why, but she did.
...
After classes ended, Kali's group —Jake, Vero, Viki, Niccolo, and now Dahlia— gathered around one of the campus tables.
Their usual spot, under the biggest tree, right by the fountain.
"So you're Dahlia?" Jake asked warmly, adjusting his round, non-prescription glasses and his flamingo-print shirt.
"Yes."
"Welcome to the madhouse. I'm the loud gay guy, Vero is the perpetually angry one, and Viki is the one who'll probably steal something from you and return it covered in glitter."
"False!" Viki shouted. "I leave the glitter as my signature!"
"And what are you studying?" Vero asked bluntly.
"Philology," Dahlia answered, sipping her coffee.
"Same as Viki. Get ready to hate Borges and love Cortázar," Jake said.
Meanwhile, Kali sat cross-legged, her jacket hanging from the back of her chair, her eyes fixed on Niccolo.
"So, principessa, are you going to the gym today, or would you rather I take you running with... more pleasurable intentions?" he said, lowering his voice slightly.
"Are you suggesting you prefer watching me sweat rather than hearing me talk?" Kali replied with a sly smile.
"No. I prefer both at once. But if I have to choose..."
She laughed and threw a napkin at him.
"Idiot. I'm going because Baxter told me he trains there. I want him to see me and think I'm a goddess of strength."
"And you need weights for that?" Niccolo said.
"I swear if he doesn't realize what you are, he's blinder than Cupid with a hangover."
Kali stood up, stretching dramatically.
She touched her waist, then raised her arms as if deliberately showing off her curves.
"Well, I'm off to sweat a little. Maybe, between all that muscle and testosterone, I can forget about you for a while."
Niccolo watched her, a mix of a smile and barely contained desire.
"Tough luck, principessa. I don't let myself be forgotten so easily."
...
While Kali disappeared into the corridors heading to the gym, Dahlia stayed talking with Viki. Jake left for class, and Vero was reviewing notes.
"Are Kali and Niccolo...?" Dahlia asked discreetly.
"No. But they should be. They've got more tension than a badly edited erotic novel.
He's been in love with her forever.
She... well, she's scared. And Baxter is her way of running."
Dahlia watched from a distance as Kali disappeared into the sports building.
For some reason, it mattered to her more than she expected.
And what she didn't know yet was that everything was just beginning.