Chapter 38
Briar shoved her hands in her pockets and quickened her pace, eager to put some distance between herself and Mia’s sour expression as she
headed toward the cafeteria.
Shoneport University, a prestigious century–old institution, boasted an impressive dining scene. With four cafeterias, you could find just about any cuisine your heart desired.
Being new, Briar played it safe and made a beeline for the Zakian cuisine counter, her go–to choice. She wasn’t picky about flavors–give her enough spice, and she was happy.
Zakian cuisine was a campus favorite, and when Briar got to the counter, the line was already snaking long. Lucky for her, a few familiar faces
from the lab were near the front, having gotten there early.
Spotting her alone, they waved her over with warm smiles and let her cut in. “Briar, come with us! They’ve got Ceviche and Anticuchos today -limited supply. You don’t want to miss out,” one of them called.
Briar didn’t hesitate. She gave a small nod and stepped in without the slightest trace of guilt. “Sweet, thanks.”
Just like that, she scored Ceviche and Anticuchos. Frank and James, ever the welcoming crew, invited her to join them at their table.
Briar settled in with her tray, surrounded by her lab mates. Frank, with his striking looks, privileged background, and the fact that he’d been specially recruited into Joshua’s lab, was already a bit of a legend at Shoneport. Among the traditional medicine crowd, he was the undisputed campus heartthrob, and plenty of girls nursed quiet crushes on him.
But Frank had always kept his distance. Cool and aloof, he gave off an air of being unapproachable, and it was rare–nearly unheard of–for a
girl to sit close to him, let alone chat or laugh with him.
So, when the campus’s famous cool guy was seen cozying up to a stunning new girl, sharing a table and splitting his beloved Anticuchos with her, jaws hit the floor.
It was nothing short of shocking.
Heads turned, and whispers spread like wildfire.
Everyone was curious about that new girl.
No one seemed to know her, but the fact that she was eating with the Traditional Medicine crew led to one conclusion: she had to be a
freshman in their department.
The crowd was buzzing with curiosity–and a touch of pity.
“Such a gorgeous girl, and she picks Traditional Medicine? What was she thinking?” someone muttered.
“She’d have been better off in Computer Science, Finance, or Law,” another chimed in, shaking their head.
Someone even snapped a photo of the scene and posted it on the school’s online forum with the headline: [Campus Hottie Dines with Mystery Beauty.] The other lab guys sitting nearby? Completely cropped out.
Meanwhile, Beatrice and her friends were in line at the Zakian counter, only to find–just as James had warned–that the Ceviche was sold
out.
“Ugh, this is the worst! First day of school, and I can’t even get the food I want,” Nancy grumbled, pouting,
Beatrice, clutching an empty tray, stood frozen, her gaze fixed on something in the distance. “Beatrice, what are you staring at?” Nancy asked,
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Chapter 38
following her line of sight.
There, at a nearby table, sat Frank–next to a striking girl with an air of effortless cool. Judging by the other Traditional Medicine guys around them, they figure that girl was probably one of them.
The group exchanged stunned glances.
“A girl in Traditional Medicine? In this day and age?” one of them whispered.
Everyone knew the department had long been considered a dead end–hard to find a job after graduation, with few opportunities tied directly to the degree.
Getting into Shoneport was no small feat. Choosing a major that practically spelled unemployment? That seemed like a deeply questionable
life choice.
But none of that really mattered now. What truly captured their attention wasn’t her major, but the quiet elegance of the girl herself.
Already, a few bold guys had noticed Briar and mustered the courage to approach, asking for her number.
Each one was shot down, politely but firmly, with a look that said she wasn’t here to play games.
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