Unexpected Encounters

Elena

I was in the bustling cafeteria with my best friends, Kiara and Mark, replaying the morning's events in my mind.

We were school besties landing up in same college and i couldn't be more happier.

It had been four hours since Caleb's shocking declaration, and I still felt the weight of his words pressing down on me. The cafeteria buzzed with chatter, but I was acutely aware of the curious glances my classmates cast my way.

"I still can't believe it," I said, my voice filled with exasperation. "Who does he think he is, claiming me like that?" I looked at both of them for answers, and they seemed to be as shocked as I was.

"It's got to be some kind of dare, right? I mean, seniors always have their stupid ragging rituals, even if the rules say it's prohibited."

I seriously thought this was a dare so that I could be made a fool in front of the whole class.

Goosebumps still rose across my arms as I remembered Caleb's words.

"This girl, Elena Cruz, is mine!"

Damn!

I already knew his name by now as he seemed to be quite popular. Once he left, everyone was like, "Damn! That's Caleb," and "What the hell did he see in this bitch?"

Well yeah, some girls called me that, not that I cared.

Bitches!

It was only my first day, but I felt like I'd been here for months. Groups were already formed, rivalries had already begun, and whatnot.

Crestwood was an elite college where every student was either a businessman's child or a politician's.

I was still thinking about all of this when my friend poked my forehead, snapping me back to the conversation.

Kiara, ever the practical one, shrugged. "Maybe, but Caleb seemed pretty serious. His eyes were practically burning holes through you."

I rolled my eyes, still thinking it was a prank. I took nothing seriously, like nothing.

Mark, the self-proclaimed investigator of our group, leaned in with a conspiratorial air. "I've been asking around. Caleb Hemsworth is in his second year. He's insanely hot as the girls say, they totally drool over him, and he's top of his class. But he's got a reputation for having a temper and always getting what he wants."

I still wonder how Mark hasn't been appointed by any investigation bureau. I would love to hire anyone with the skills he has.

I huffed, crossing my arms. "Okay, so he's hot. But that doesn't justify whatever that was. I'm not some piece of property to be claimed. I'm just going to think of it as a joke and move on." I declared, trying to end the discussion and behave like nothing happened.

We were having lunch and still discussing that idiot Caleb when I could hear some classmates loudly discussing the drama that happened in our class a few hours back.

Assholes have gossip to discuss!

I hate it but can't stop them.

As we talked, the cafeteria door swung open, and a sudden hush fell over the room. I looked at the door and saw Caleb walking in, his eyes scanning the crowd with laser focus.

My heart dropped at his sudden entrance, and my expression turned into anger when his gaze locked onto mine. He smiled—a smile that sent an unsettling mix of fear and thrill through me. I immediately looked away to Kiara, but I could still feel his dark blue eyes, scary but beautiful, burning into me.

"Speak of the devil," Kiara muttered, nudging me.

My heart pounded as Caleb made his way towards me, his stride confident and purposeful. The cafeteria seemed to hold its breath, watching the next unfolding drama. He stopped in front of our table, his presence commanding attention.

Can't deal with another encounter, I muttered to myself, closing my eyes to avoid his gaze.

"Hi," Caleb said, his voice smooth. "Caleb. Caleb Hemsworth." He extended his hand, his eyes never leaving mine.

I stared at him, too shocked to respond. My mind raced as I struggled to find my voice.

How the hell is he behaving so normally?

Instead of confronting him about the incident, I reached out and took his hand, feeling an electric jolt that sent me into a different zone.

But this was not important!

Why am I not asking him what the hell he did?

"I... I am..." my words trembled.

I couldn't introduce myself, say my name as if someone choked my throat.

You're an idiot Elena!

Caleb cut me off, his grip tightening over my hand. "And—you are my girl."

He smirked again, claiming me out of nowhere.

No boy, this ain't happening!

My jaw dropped, my mouth forming an "O" of astonishment. I pulled my hand back, trying to regain my composure.

"No, I am Elena Cruz, not anyone's girl." I stated confidently.

Get your ass back off, Caleb!

His smile widened, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes. "You can deny it all you want, Elena, but you belong with me." His tone was authoritative, leaving no room for argument.

"Never," I managed to say. He smirked again.

He's so over confident for what?

Being the most talkative girl I was, that damn Caleb couldn't let me talk.

Fuck him!

My friends watched the exchange with wide eyes, the tension at the table thick enough to cut with a knife. I took a deep breath, summoning every ounce of my defiance.

I have to speak! I just can't let him say this again and again.

"Listen, Caleb, I don't know what kind of game you're playing, but I'm not a pawn. I'm my own person."

Caleb leaned in closer, his breath warm against my skin, his voice low and intimate. My heart beat louder, thumping in my chest.

What if he could hear it?

Noooo!

He smells really good! Not the right time to say this!

"You may think that now, Elena. But soon, you'll realize that you're exactly where you belong—by my side."

With that, he straightened up not letting me speak anything in my defence, his gaze lingering on me for a moment longer before he turned and walked away, leaving me and my friends in stunned silence.

Kiara was the first to speak, her voice barely above a whisper. "What the hell just happened? Again?"

I shook my head, my thoughts a whirlwind of confusion and curiosity. "I have no idea. But one thing's for sure—Caleb Hemsworth is not someone to be taken lightly."

"I've heard a lot about him from other people," Mark spoke up.

Where the hell is this guy hearing things when we're all here together at the same time?

"Whatever, I don't care guys. He'll forget it tomorrow and everything will be normal."

I tried to console myself.

"Do you really think so?" Kiara scrunched her nose.

"Obviously, what do you think? He will keep on roaming around me when I already said that I am not anyone's girl" i rolled my eyes.

Kiara wasn't satisfied with the answer and chose to nod along anyway.

"You told me you have seen him somewhere before, do you remember where?" Kiara asked.

While I tried to process everything, a memory flashed through my mind.

"Yes!" I exclaimed ,only to receive looks from other people.

I was quite loud

Not the good looks, i must say!

God! It's day one and i am already the hot topic!

I started explaining to her.

"A few months back, during my documentation submission for admission, I had accidentally bumped into someone. I had been in a hurry, and he had been equally distracted. Now, recalling those piercing blue eyes, I realized it had been Caleb."

Had he remembered me all this time?

"Oh! Seems like he's not over you, girl!" Mark winked and I showed him my middle finger.

I was still confused, not sure what to make of the situation. Caleb's declaration had thrown my day into chaos, and I was left wondering what would happen next.

I stood up, ending the Caleb topic now. "Let's go, guys. I am fed up now. Let's look at the campus."

We were roaming around the campus, exploring every corner. It was beautiful. The sunset was about to happen and there were lights everywhere.

Perks of being a hosteller—you can roam till any time you want.

"Stop!" A group of guys stopped us in the middle, making us look at each other.

I narrowed my eyes in confusion.

Now what do they want?

"They're seniors, final year," Mark whispered, and I looked at him in amusement.

How the hell does he know everything?

I wasn't scared. Well might be a little scared. I had already faced a huge drama a few hours back and I knew they would tell us to do something, fulfilling their egos while ragging us.

I was practically ready. I had even practiced what to do in these situations while watching YouTube videos.

How stupid this sounds?

I crossed my arms, showing them they didn't matter to me.

They were now standing three steps away from us, ready to throw their command as if we were their slaves.

One of the seniors, a tall guy with a smug grin, stepped forward. "Alright, freshers. Time for some fun. You," he pointed at Mark, "do twenty push-ups right here, right now while singing a song loudly"

Mark looked at us, clearly annoyed but also scared a bit.

New bees will always be new bees.

He sighed and dropped to the ground, starting his push-ups. The seniors laughed and clapped mockingly

"Not bad, newbee. Now you," the senior turned to Kiara. "Sing your school anthem. Loudly while dancing"

I was already embarrassed and didn't want to face this now.

Kiara's face flushed with embarrassment, but she took a deep breath and started singing. Her voice was shaky at first, but she managed to get through it. The seniors snickered, but they let her finish.

Then the senior's gaze shifted to me. "And you,"

"She's hot" one of them spoke scanning me from top to bottom.

I rolled my eyes, i realised i actually do that a lot!

He smirked. "Do a pole dance and imagine pole is him" he pointed to some guy from his group.

Seriously?

My foot!

I felt a surge of anger and humiliation. "A pole dance? Seriously? In your dreams!"

The senior's smirk widened. "Well, you would do a lot of things in my dreams,  Now get to it." One of them uttered.

I looked at Kiara and Mark, hoping for some support, but they were just as helpless as I was. I turned back to the senior, trying to argue. "This is ridiculous. I'm not doing it."

His eyes narrowed, and his tone turned menacing. "Do it, or face the consequences."

I felt a knot in my stomach as I realized I had no choice. My face flushed with anger and embarrassment as I moved toward that guy , my movements hesitant and unwilling.

I am not touching him!

Just as I was about to step ahead, Caleb appeared out of nowhere, his eyes blazing with fury.

I looked at him almost pleading to get me out of this situation.

~~