Chapter 3

[What is she playing at? Trying to make him fall for her over food?]

[Ugh, what about Elena? Someone comfort my girl!]

[She’s such a desperate simp. Simps deserve nothing.]

[Wait... does anyone else see Cole standing behind them?]

I caught the comment and glanced back. I didn't see Cole, but I did catch Elena staring from down the hall, tears still wet on her cheeks.

Except her gaze wasn't innocent or fragile anymore. It was chilling.

She was never as pure as the story claimed.

On my way back to the dorms, heavy footsteps followed behind me.

Three guys with dyed hair stepped out, blocking my path.

"Hey, pretty girl. You’ve got the face, so why do you love stealing other girls' men?"

I looked up at him. "Nice dye job, grandpa. Why do you love being a doormat?"

"Who’re you calling grandpa?! You need to be taught some respect."

I shoved my hands into my pockets, waiting for the fist to fly.

Before the punch could land, a shadow darted in.

Cole.

Seeing that I hadn't even bothered to raise my hands, he snapped, "Are you blind? You didn't think to dodge?!"

I grinned. "Why dodge when you’re here?"

[Wait a minute... why is this actually kind of cute?]

[Girl above me, you're not the only one thinking that.]

The punk sneered. "What, you two flirting in front of us?"

Cole turned around, shaking out his wrist. "Sorry, boys. Let me take care of you first."

I sat down on the concrete steps nearby, watching the chat pass the time.

[Damn, Cole knows how to fight. He’s trained.]

[Is she seriously just sitting there watching? That’s so rude.]

[Hey, staying out of the way IS helping, okay?]

I was enjoying the show so much that before I knew it, all three guys were groaning on the pavement.

Cole sat down next to me, a fresh split on his lip and a bruise blooming across his cheek.

"Happy now?" he panted.

I reached over and poked his bruised shoulder. He winced in pain.

I let out a soft laugh.

"Seeing you get beat up a little definitely helped."

"You know who sent them, don't you?"

"Yeah."

He gave me a puzzled look. "And you’re not gonna do anything? That doesn't sound like you."

I shook my head.

"Forget about me. Cole... when did you realize something was wrong with this world?"

He froze, then forced a laugh. "What novel world? Did you hit your head?"

From the moment he showed up at that bar, to the way he looked at me—I knew he knew.

"The ending where I get locked in a dark room forever, left to rot until I die."

He stared at me, his eyes wide.

After a long silence, he let out a defeated sigh. "Yeah. If you already know the ending, why won't you let go? Do you really love him that much?"

"Yeah," I whispered. "I love him."

What I loved wasn't the boy, but the terrifying sense of reality that only existed when I was near him.

This was an unfair world. The supporting characters were only allowed to exist as satellites orbiting the leads.

The moment I stepped out of their storyline, my entire world turned blank.

It was like I didn't exist at all.

And I wanted to exist.

Over the next few days, I showed up like clockwork to eat with Julian.

Most of the time, I was the only one actually eating, while three pairs of eyes burned holes into me.

One was Julian’s. One was Elena’s. And the third belonged to Cole.

I ignored them all, stuffing my face. Unsurprisingly, food tasted so much more real when the male lead was around.

Eventually, Julian couldn't take it anymore.

"Is this really all you want? Just to eat with me?"

I chewed and swallowed before replying, "What else? Were you hoping I’d jump your bones?"

Something about that bruised his ego. Lately, his eyes had begun drifting away from Elena, landing on me instead.

He even started showing expressions when we ate together, occasionally making conversation.

Today was the last day of the semester. Cole and I had agreed to head home together.

If I got home early, maybe I’d get to spend a little more time with my parents before the plot ripped me away.

I finished my meal quickly and stood up to meet Cole by the dining hall doors.

A hand caught my wrist.

Julian’s tone was laced with arrogance. "Stay away from him."

I raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

"Don't you love me?"

I rolled my eyes. "Julian, you're not my boyfriend. You don't get a say in who I hang out with."

I yanked my hand free, but then his voice cut through the air.

"I can be."