Tangled Hearts

The door swings open, and I'm startled to see the same guy from earlier standing there, his presence both familiar and unexpected.

"Can I help you?" I ask, keeping my voice neutral, trying to read his intentions.

A wide grin spreads across his face.

"Sorry about earlier," he says casually, as if we've known each other for years. "I'm handing out flyers for Fresher's Week events to everyone in this block ... interested in a party tonight."

I take the flyer, feeling a bit confused. "Fresher's flyers?"

"Yeah, it's a thing. I'm Finn, by the way," he adds smoothly, his grin still annoyingly infectious.

Of course, I already knew that—someone had shouted his name earlier during our less-than-graceful encounter—but I wasn't about to let on.

I glance down at the flyer, half listening as he describes the week of activities, the parties, the club sign-ups. My eyes linger on the part about tonight's party, but I hand it back to him with a shrug. "Thanks, but no thanks."

Finn raises an eyebrow and blocks my hand, pushing the flyer back toward me with a teasing smirk. "What, too cool for Fresher's Week? How do you expect to meet people with that attitude?"

I roll my eyes, but he's not backing down. "Also, where are your manners? I didn't get your name."

I quirk an eyebrow. "Maybe I didn't want to give it."

Finn fakes a scandalized gasp. "What, am I supposed to keep calling you 'Butterfingers' from now on?"

I bite back a smile at the reminder of my earlier clumsiness. "Do as you wish," I say with a nonchalant shrug, inching the door closed.

Before it clicks shut, Finn wedges his foot in the doorway, refusing to let this go. "Come on, at least think about it. It'll be fun."

Reluctantly, I take the flyer back, mostly to avoid dragging this out longer. "Fine," I mutter, forcing a tight smile.

He grins triumphantly. "That's the spirit."

After he leaves, I toss the flyer onto the table with a sigh. Parties weren't exactly my scene, but maybe I'd regret not going. I settle onto my bed, pulling my laptop from my duffel, deciding to kill some time with a rom-com—How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, because, why not?

****

After the movie ended, I decided to leave my room and get some groceries. I grabbed my phone from the table, my tote bag, and headed out.

I walked over to the campus grocery shop I noticed while Mum was driving earlier and grabbed a basket. After picking up some essentials, I headed to the self-checkout. I glanced at the regular checkout points.

"Sorry, can you please try another card? We don't accept American Express," the employee asked the customer at the counter.

The customer has long braids cascading down her back. I can't make out her full face but from her side profile, her beauty is striking, with mesmerizing ebony features.

"Oh, uh yeah sure, give me a second" the flustered customer responds and rummages through her bag for cash, I assume.

I turned my attention back to my checkout machine, finished scanning my items, and paid. As I started walking out, I heard a rather loud and frustrated guy.

"For fuck's sake, it's been five minutes. If you don't have another card, drop the items and leave," he grumbled.

The girl, evidently embarrassed by the outburst, started to drop the items and walk away.