24. Rian
⟡ College Courtyard — Someone Calls Her Name
Marcelline was still frozen, staring into empty space, sensing that distant darkness…
her heartbeat thudding strangely…
When—
"Elli!"
A warm voice cut through the cold.
A hand gently tapped her shoulder.
Marcelline blinked and snapped back to reality.
Standing in front of her was Rian Hartwell—
the most decent, kind-hearted guy on campus.
Soft brown hair, gentle smile, a little too earnest for his own good.
And hopelessly, silently in love with her.
Rian (concerned):
"Are you okay? You looked… pale for a moment."
Marcelline forced a soft smile.
Marcelline:
"Oh. Um… I'm fine. Just… spaced out."
Rian exhaled, relieved but still worried.
Rian:
"You sure? Because I was calling you for a full minute. You didn't hear anything."
Amara snorted.
Amara:
"She was doing her dramatic supernatural sensing thing again."
Marcelline shot her a glare.
Marcelline:
"Amara!"
But Rian just looked confused and adorable.
Rian:
"Her what?"
Amara flipped her hair.
Amara:
"You know—Elli goes into mysterious heroine mode sometimes.
Stares at the sky like she hears voices.
Very main-character energy."
Marcelline turned red.
Marcelline:
"I do NOT—!"
Rian laughed softly, his eyes tender.
Rian:
"Well… even if you hear voices, I'll still worry about you."
Marcelline froze.
She looked away quickly, cheeks burning.
Amara's eyes widened.
Then she smirked like a devil.
Amara:
"Ohhhhh?
Rian, did you just flirt?"
Rian's face caught fire.
Rian:
"W-WHAT?! NO—I MEAN— I WAS JUST— I—"
dies internally
Marcelline covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.
She was blushing too.
Amara leaned closer to Marcelline, whisper-teasing:
Amara:
"Girl… he likes you.
Like likes likes you."
Marcelline panicked instantly.
Marcelline (whispering back):
"H-He doesn't! He's just… sweet."
Amara grinned like a wolf.
Amara:
"Sweet guys don't stare at you like you hung the moon."
Rian (softly, still flustered):
"Uh… Elli, actually… I came to ask if you're free after class?
Maybe we could… get coffee?"
Marcelline:
"Oh—"
She hesitated.
Because her heart was still beating weirdly from that supernatural pull.
And because she didn't want to lead Rian on.
Before she could answer—
Amara raised her brow in pure mischief.
Amara:
"She's free."
Marcelline (horrified):
"Amara!!"
Rian lit up a little, hopeful.
Rian:
"Really?"
Marcelline turned to him, cheeks pink, trying to recover.
Marcelline:
"I… I guess I can spare some time."
Rian smiled the softest, sweetest smile.
Rian:
"Great. I'll wait after your lecture."
He walked away, still blushing.
Marcelline stared at the ground, flustered.
Amara immediately elbowed her.
Amara:
"Awwww, look at you.
Miss 'I Don't Do Romance' turning into a tomato."
Marcelline:
"Shut up."
Amara:
"He totally likes you."
Marcelline (quiet):
"…I know , Cause he is in angel influence ( ＾▽＾)"
Amara : Poor thing...