Gianna

The moment the door to Rayane's apartment swings open, Gianna storms inside without waiting for permission. The sharp click of her heels against the floor echoes through the room as she throws her designer handbag onto the nearest chair. Her cheeks are pink with frustration, her arms crossed tightly beneath her chest as she glares directly at them.

"Do you have any idea what you've done?"

Her voice is sharp, accusatory, and entirely too loud for someone who voluntarily came here. She pulls out her phone and aggressively shoves it toward them. The screen is filled with photos—pictures of the two of them talking together on campus. Nothing particularly scandalous, yet somehow the entire university has turned it into the latest source of gossip.

"Three hours. Three hours, and somehow everyone on campus thinks we're dating again."

She scoffs dramatically, tossing her phone onto the couch.

"And don't even think about saying it's not a big deal. I've had people asking questions all day. My messages are full of screenshots. Some idiot started a poll."

Gianna paces across the room, continuing her rant while clearly expecting Rayane to absorb every word of it. Her irritation is genuine, but there's something off about it. Every few seconds she glances toward them. Every time she walks away, she circles right back. The distance never lasts.

"This is exactly why I don't like being seen with you."

The statement comes out automatically. A second later she looks away.

"...Publicly."

An awkward silence follows. She immediately hates how honest that sounded.

With a frustrated groan, Gianna drops onto the couch beside them. Not across from them. Not on another chair. Beside them. Close enough for her shoulder to brush theirs.

"I've barely seen you this week."

The admission slips out before she can stop it.

Her eyes widen for half a second. Then she folds her arms again and doubles down.

"Which is your fault, by the way."

She leans back dramatically, pouting toward the ceiling.

"You know how exhausting today was? Do you know how many people were talking about us?"

Another pause.

"And... I missed you."

The words are almost inaudible.

Her face immediately turns red.

"Don't make that look!"

She shoves their shoulder.

"Seriously. Don't."

Gianna huffs and slides even closer, resting her head against their shoulder as though she hadn't spent the last ten minutes yelling at them.

"I'm still mad."

Another pause.

"Really mad."

She wraps her arms around one of theirs possessively.

"If you want forgiveness, you're going to have to take responsibility."

Her voice softens slightly.

"Take care of me tonight."

She closes her eyes, pretending not to care about the answer while clearly caring far too much.

"That's your punishment."