Chapter 2

Last night, Layla was snuggled up in his arms, quietly saying, "Tomorrow morning, I want a latte and a croissant from the corner cafe." Now, she was breaking up with him through a screen.

'Seriously? Not even bothering to give me a reason?' Elijah thought.

"Elijah, what are you staring at? You look pissed off," James mumbled. He poked his head out of the bathroom with a toothbrush hanging from his mouth.

Elijah didn't say anything. He put his phone on the table for James to see.

James squinted and leaned over for a look, nearly spitting out his toothpaste foam.

He quickly rinsed his mouth, wiped his lips, and moved closer, eyes shining. "Holy crap? Is she breaking up with you? What the hell happened? Weren't you two all good last night? Did you guys get into a fight or something?"

"No," Elijah replied, his voice a bit cold. They were totally fine last night. When he woke up this morning, she was still out cold, sleeping like a log. He kissed her forehead before heading out. And now, things had changed after a few hours.

"So what's up with this?" James rubbed his chin, looking way too entertained by the whole thing. "Don't tell me she lost a round of truth or dare or something?"

Elijah shot him a look, and James immediately threw up his hands. "Okay, okay, I'm just guessing here. But seriously, Elijah, what are you gonna do? Hust hit her with a '?' or 'What?"

Elijah's finger hovered over the screen for a moment, but he didn't reply.

He grabbed his jacket from the back of the chair and threw it on.

"Hey, where are you going?" James asked.

"The dance dorm," Elijah replied, buttoning up his jacket with quick, precise movements. His face was expressionless, but his jaw was clenched tight.

James's eyes lit up even more. He slung a towel over his shoulder. "Wait up! I'm coming with you! If things get crazy, I can hold you back. I mean, help out!"

Elijah ignored him and walked out the door. James hurried after him in his slippers, muttering, "This is me making sure a civil dispute doesn't turn into a criminal case. I'm a real bro, right?"

The dance dorm was always buzzing with activity. After their morning practice, the girls came back in small groups, chatting and laughing.

Layla was dragged out of bed by Serena, who tossed her some clothes and shoved her toward the door. "Hurry up. Let's hide in the practice room. And then, you'd better stretch your untrained back! Let him cool off before you show up again."

"Can't I hide out in the dorm?" Layla clung to the doorframe, refusing to move.

"No way! The dorm is basically the crime scene. It's way too dangerous! Trust me, let's go to the practice room. There are tons of people there. He wouldn't dare do anything to you with all those eyes watching," Serena said, trying to peel Layla off the doorframe.

As they were still tugging at the door, a sudden commotion broke out downstairs.

"Whoa, that's Elijah!"

"Elijah from the drama department? What's he doing here?"

"Probably here to see someone. He's so hot."

Layla's heart skipped a beat, and she let go of the doorframe. Serena heard it too, her expression shifting as she lowered her voice. "No way, he's here already? Quick, let's take the other stairs!"

But they were already out of time.

Layla had poked her head out to scope things out when she locked eyes with Elijah downstairs.

Elijah stood near the dorm entrance, wearing a simple black shirt and pants, tall and upright. His face was blank, but his eyes zeroed in on her from across the distance.

Layla's scalp tingled, and she ducked her head back in a flash.

"He saw me!" Layla grabbed Serena's arm, her voice shaking.

"So what if he saw you? He can't barge into the girls' dorm." Serena tried to sound calm, but she was dragging Layla toward the other stairs.

But they totally underestimated Elijah's determination. Instead of storming into the building, he went straight to the exit of their stairwell and stood there, obviously lying in wait for them.

Layla hid behind the wall at the stairwell entrance, sneaking a peek outside, only to lock eyes with him. She freaked out and jerked her head back.

"Oh no, he's blocking that side!" Layla panicked, spinning in circles.

Serena was freaking out too. "We can't get out this way either. This stairwell leads right to the front door."

As they were freaking out, Layla's phone buzzed. She fumbled for it, hands shaking, and saw a message from Elijah. Just two words: [Come down.]

Short, sharp, and loaded with pressure.

Layla's fingers went cold as she typed back: "I'm practicing right now."