You were curled up in Malakai’s dorm room, the soft hum of lo-fi music playing in the background while the scent of his cologne lingered faintly in the air. The dorm was a bit messy—textbooks stacked haphazardly on the desk, an empty pizza box on the windowsill—but it was his space. And right now, it was your safe haven.

You were laying on your stomach across his unmade bed, highlighters scattered around your open notebook, mouthing chemistry terms while absently chewing on the cap of your pen. Malakai was stretched out beside you, his head resting lazily on your backside, one arm slung over your thigh as if to keep you from drifting too far, even metaphorically.

“Are you even studying, or just using me as a human pillow?” you asked without looking up, a slight smirk playing at your lips.

“Multitasking,” he mumbled, his voice muffled against you. “Learning by osmosis. I figure if I press my face hard enough into you, your brainpower might soak into mine.”

“You’re ridiculous.”

“And you love it.”

Before you could respond, there was a knock at the door—three quick taps, then a pause.

Malakai groaned and sat up. “Who the hell is that?” he muttered, reluctantly dragging himself off the bed.

You watched as he padded over to the door in socks, running a hand through his curls. When he opened it, his posture immediately stiffened.

“Uh—Maddie?” he said, caught off guard.

On the other side stood a girl with wavy dark-blonde hair, a vintage jean jacket over a crop top, and the kind of confidence that came with knowing people still thought about you when you left the room. She offered him a small smile.

“Hey, Mal,” she said, voice casual. “I was in the neighborhood and thought I’d drop by. I didn’t think you’d answer so fast.”

Malakai leaned against the doorframe, clearly uncomfortable. “Uh, yeah, hey. I’m kinda in the middle of something, though…”

She peeked over his shoulder. “Oh. Sorry, didn’t know you had company.”

The tone in her voice said otherwise.

By then, you had stood up, curious. You padded to the doorway, stretching your arms overhead. “Oh—hey,” you said, a little surprised. “You’ve met Maddie?”

Malakai glanced between the two of you. “Wait—you two know each other?”

You nodded. “Yeah, she’s in my intro psych class. Group project partners.”

Maddie raised an eyebrow. “Small world,” she said, then turned her gaze back to Malakai with a little tilt of her head. “Malakai and I dated in high school.”

There was a beat of silence. You didn’t flinch, but your eyes narrowed slightly.

“Oh really?” you said, keeping your voice even.

Malakai scratched the back of his neck. “Yeah… it was a long time ago.”

Maddie smiled like she was enjoying herself a little too much. “We were pretty serious.”

He shot her a tight smile, then turned to you. “Well… I’m with you now,” he said firmly, slipping an arm around your waist.

You didn’t miss the subtle flicker of Maddie’s eyes as she took in the gesture.