when the seasons turn

-- ♡ - Narrated by Halena - ♡ --

There are moments in life that define a person.

For some, it's winning an award. For others, it's falling in love.

For me?

It was spilling curry on Ethan.

I wish I could say this event faded into oblivion, a small hiccup in my otherwise smooth transition into college life.

But no.

By the next morning, I had become a legend and not in a good way.

-- The Aftermath --

Walking into class felt like stepping into a crime scene.

People stared. Some whispered. A few snickered.

I barely had time to sit down before John my self-proclaimed big brother figure plopped down next to me, grinning.

> "So," he said, drumming his fingers on the desk. "You've officially made history."

I groaned. "Please don't."

> "Oh, but I must." He cleared his throat dramatically. "You, Halena Arlo Lopez, are now the first person ever to publicly assault Ethan with food."

I buried my face in my hands. "It was an accident."

> "Sure." He smirked. "But you do realize this means war, right?"

I peeked at him through my fingers. "What?"

John leaned closer.

> "Ethan doesn't just let things go. He remembers. He plans."

I sat up straighter. "Are you saying he's going to get revenge?"

John nodded solemnly.

> "I'm saying you should start sleeping with one eye open."

Fantastic. Just fantastic....

-- Operation: Avoid Ethan --

The solution was simple: avoid Ethan at all costs.

I had an entire mental blueprint for dodging him.

If I saw him in the library? Exit immediately.

If he was walking in my direction? Change routes.

If he entered the cafeteria? Starve.

For three days, my plan worked flawlessly.

Then came day four.

-- Disaster Strikes Again --

I was running late to class. Like, very late.

I had slept through my alarm, rushed through my morning routine, and sprinted down the hall while attempting to stuff my feet into my shoes.

And in my panic, I turned a corner at full speed.....

And slammed into a human wall.

Everything happened in slow motion.

My bag flew. Papers scattered. I stumbled backward. And then.....

>Oh. No.

Ethan.

Of course.

Because the universe hates me.

He stared at me, completely unimpressed.

> "You again."

I forced out a laugh. "Haha... funny how that keeps happening, huh?"

Silence.

I cleared my throat. "Okay. I get that you're probably mad about the whole curry thing, and I swear I was going to apologize..."

> "I'm not mad."

I blinked. "You're... not?"

He shrugged. "It was just an accident."

I squinted at him. "So... you're not planning revenge?"

Now, he looked mildly offended.

>"What kind of person do you think I am?"

"...The silent but- deadly kind?"

Ethan sighed, stepping around me. "Relax. I don't care."

And just like that, he walked away.

No death glare. No sworn enemy energy.

Just... nothing.

Weird.

-- Back to the Dorm --

That night, I returned to Room 606, still mentally replaying my conversation with Ethan.

My roommates were deep in conversation, but the moment I walked in, Iris smirked.

> "So," she drawled, "how's your relationship with Ethan going?"

I groaned. "Not you guys too!"

Anna grinned. "We heard he spoke to you today."

> "So?" I threw my bag on my bed. "People talk to me all the time."

Sophia raised an eyebrow. "Ethan doesn't."

I opened my mouth....then closed it.

Okay..... Fair point.

> "Guys, he hates me," I said. "This is not a thing."

Nxy cracked her knuckles. "If he does decide to take revenge, let us know. We'll handle him."

I wasn't sure whether to be touched or terrified.

-- Library Wars --

The next day, I went to the library to escape the chaos of my dorm.

I had just settled into my seat when I spotted him.

Ethan.

Sitting two tables away.

Because, of course.

I decided to be mature and pretend he didn't exist.

I focused on my book. Totally absorbed. Completely unbothered.

Then, out of nowhere....

Thump.

A book landed on my table.

I looked up.

Ethan.

He slid into the chair across from me.

I blinked. "Uh. Hi?"

He held up his book.

> "You're in my seat."

I looked around. The library was half empty.

> "There are other seats..."

> "This one's mine."

I narrowed my eyes. "Oh, so you are getting revenge."

Ethan exhaled. "It's just a chair."

> "Tell that to my personal space."

We stared at each other.

Then, unexpectedly....

He smirked.

Not a normal smirk.

A dangerous one.

Oh, no.

Ethan wasn't planning revenge before.

But now?

I had challenged him.

And I had a feeling I was about to regret it.

-----

To be continued...