Chapter21
Their eyes locked, and the tension hung heavy in the air.
“You better stop bothering Sierra,” Rowan said coldly. “If you don’t, I’ll report you for disrupting scientific research and request that the university expel you.”
With that, he turned and walked away.
He hadn’t planned on coming here. After dinner, he’d just been wandering aimlessly when he happened to end up outside the girls‘ dorm.
When he saw Chase harassing Sierra, he wanted to step in–but stopped himself.
This was their business, their emotional mess. He was an outsider.
Besides, Sierra probably wouldn’t want him witnessing it.
So he just stood in the shadows and watched–watched Sierra go upstairs, watched Chase walk
away.
Chase stared at Rowan’s back, then glanced up at the dorm windows.
His chest twisted with a thousand emotions.
“Sierra… please don’t fall for that asshole,” he whispered under his breath.
He wasn’t stupid. Of course he could see Rowan’s feelings for her.
What he didn’t know… was how Sierra felt about Rowan.
He dragged his feet back to his dorm, shoulders slumped.
Sierra, unaware of the entire scene, returned to her dorm and immediately saw a message from Professor Tyler:
[Sierra, you’ll take the team to South Ridge tomorrow. I’ll meet you in Cloudridge after flying out from D.C.]
She replied with a quick “Got it” and forwarded the notice to the freshmen group chat, reminding them to prepare.
Just as she was about to log off, a notification popped up–Chase Walker had sent a friend request.
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She didn’t hesitate.
Decline. Block.
The past belonged in the
past.
No one deserved to live shackled to it.
The next morning, Sierra gathered the freshmen and headed for South Ridge.
Just as they were getting ready to leave, Rowan showed up at the last minute, slightly out of breath.
Sierra stepped out of the car. “What’s up?” she asked.
“Not really,” Rowan replied. “I got permission from Professor Tyler to assist you guys on this trip. It’s the first off–campus field project, and I figured you might need help.”
Sierra didn’t argue.
Professor Tyler had messaged her just that morning to say his D.C. research was delayed and he wouldn’t be back for a while. She’d been worried about managing the trip solo, and now Rowan had stepped in.
But just as she was about to get into the driver’s seat, Rowan stopped her.
“There’s a bunch of guys in this car. Get in the passenger seat–I’ve got this.”
He slid into the driver’s seat without waiting for her response.
Sierra chuckled and got in beside him, then introduced him to the group. “This is Rowan. He’s joining us for the trip.”
The car rumbled to life.
In the back, the freshmen exchanged glances and smirks.
A few minutes in, one of them couldn’t help asking, “So, Rowan… do you like our dear Sierra? We’ve seen you two chatting and laughing plenty of times. Doesn’t look like a normal mentor–mentee relationship.”
“Yeah,” another chimed in. “Since we’re not allowed to date outsiders, is everyone’s love life getting resolved in–house now?”
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Their teasing filled the car.
Rowan didn’t deny it. “Yeah, I do like her,” he said easily. “But your Sierra hasn’t accepted me yet. She’s kind of a legend around here–there’s a whole line of guys who’d kill to date her, probably stretching all the way to France.‘
Sierra rolled her eyes and smacked his arm lightly. “Cut it out. Don’t exaggerate.”
From the backseat, Chase watched them.
To him, it didn’t look like harmless teasing.
It looked like flirting.
He sat in silence, his face darkening.
Then someone nudged him. “Hey Chase, why so quiet?”
“Didn’t you say you enrolled here to chase down a girl who ghosted you? Did you find her yet?”
“You better move fast, man. With the gender ratio in this school, she’ll be someone else’s girlfriend before you blink.”
Chase’s fists clenched in his lap.
His voice came out low and tight. “Yeah. I found her.”
Chapter21
