Chapter 2: When Natalie Strikes Back

In my previous life, after I added Natalie and she rejected me, she also skipped study hall. I didn’t care, so when the advisor asked, I just told her I couldn’t reach Natalie.

After that, the advisor spoke to her, and Natalie came straight for me.

“Seriously, Caleb? You couldn’t just DM me? Had to run to the advisor like I’m some problem?”

“I’ve seen all your little tricks, you guys.”

Natalie was so indignant, I honestly didn’t know where her confidence came from. If she tries this stunt again, I’ll roast her right back.

“Caleb, did you not notify properly?” the advisor asks, sounding like a slightly frazzled college staffer who’s seen it all.

I stand up and reply, “I notified everyone twice and asked them to remind their roommates. If Natalie Brewer chooses not to come, there’s nothing more I can do.”

I keep my tone cool and professional, like a teaching assistant on autopilot. No way am I letting her drag me into drama this time.

I glance over at the row where Natalie’s roommates sit. The three girls immediately chime in:

“Advisor, we told her, but she still refuses to join the class group.”

“Yeah, she says she’s working a part-time job. Claims she can’t afford dinner and can’t come to study hall or she’ll faint from hunger. We even offered to buy her food, but she still wouldn’t come.”

Their voices are tired, edged with disbelief—the sound of people who’ve run out of patience. A few classmates shift in their seats, shooting each other looks like, Can you believe this?

Natalie always brings the drama. Judging by their tone, her roommates are just as over it as everyone else.

The whole class is stunned, faces priceless. Some hide their amusement behind notebooks, others just stare, mouths open. I can practically hear the group chats lighting up.

The advisor sighs, says she’ll look into it, and kicks off the meeting. Though she promised ten minutes, she keeps it short and soon lets us go.

I think to myself: tonight, Natalie’s name will be everywhere.

Phones buzz as soon as we’re dismissed—memes and snarky comments flying. Only by exposing her early can I stop her from building up that fake persona. Let everyone see her real colors.

Sure enough, the next day in class, Natalie shows up. She looks rough and heads straight for me:

“Seriously, Caleb? You couldn’t just DM me? Did you really have to get my attention like this?”

Everyone’s watching, hungry for drama. The room feels like a cafeteria during lunch rush—everyone pretending to work while eavesdropping.

I smile. “Listen, you and I have nothing to do with each other. Your roommates even offered to buy you dinner and you still wouldn’t come to study hall. Don’t tell me you expect me to feed you too?”

“We’re all adults. Whether you show up is your business. We’re not your parents.”

My roommates are the first to crack up:

“Natalie, are you for real? Caleb’s got girls lining up for him since orientation. You think he wants your attention?”

“Yeah. Don’t scare our boy Caleb.”

They trade fist bumps, grinning, making sure Natalie gets the message.

Natalie turns red, biting her lip, sneaking glances at me. Then she laughs, tossing her hair: “I’ve seen all these moves in romance novels, but real life isn’t a novel. Chasing girls doesn’t work like that.”

I raise my voice on purpose: “I notified everyone about the meeting, you didn’t come, and now you say I’m chasing you? Girl, seriously? Guys, you better lock up your student IDs or you’ll end up married.”

The boys howl with laughter. Girls are cracking up:

“Whoever’s her roommate has the worst luck. This is mortifying.”

“Maybe Natalie actually likes Caleb and this is her way of showing it.”

“Haha, look at her roommates’ faces—they look like they just swallowed something sour.”

Thanks to Natalie, those three girls become the center of attention, getting side-eyed by everyone. Some try to play it cool, but you can see the annoyance flicker in their eyes.

I doubt they’re thrilled.

Seeing me mock her, Natalie huffs and goes to sit with her roommates—who immediately get up and move to other seats.

The room erupts in laughter again. Someone in the back snaps a pic for the group chat, and for a split second, I almost feel bad. Almost.

Natalie glares at them, then buries her head in a book. This is just the beginning.