Page 98 of Boards & Betrayal

The familiar scent of coffee beans and baked goods enveloped me as I stepped inside. It was busy, students hunched over laptops or engaged in hushed conversations, but the noise felt like a comforting hum rather than an intrusion.

I made my way to the counter, where a barista with purple hair and a nose ring greeted me with a smile. "What can I get you today?"

"Can I get a Strawberry Iced Dream?" I asked.

She nodded and started preparing my drink. The Strawberry Iced Dream was my favorite—a concoction of strawberry puree, green tea, and a splash of lemonade, all over crushed ice. It tasted like summer in a cup.

As I waited, I glanced around the café. A couple in the corner laughed over something on their phone, while a group of students debated politics at one of the larger tables. Near thewindow, someone strummed an acoustic guitar softly, adding to the cozy ambiance.

The barista handed me my drink with another smile. "Enjoy."

"Thanks," I said, taking a sip. The sweetness of the strawberries mixed perfectly with the tart lemonade and earthy green tea—exactly what I needed.

I found an empty table near the back and sank into one of the plush armchairs. Setting my camera bag on the floor beside me, I took another sip and let out a sigh. The chaos of finals week loomed ahead, but for now, at least in this moment, I felt a small measure of peace even with all the shit inside.

Without warning, someone dropped into the chair in front of me.

I straightened, my grip tightening around the cold glass of my Strawberry Iced Dream. The girl sitting across from me had an air of authority that demanded attention. She had long, blonde hair that framed her face perfectly, and sharp blue eyes that seemed to pierce through any pretense. Her presence was commanding—delicate yet undeniably powerful.

"I heard you were interested in working with the Serpents," she said, her voice smooth and confident.

"I—"

"Sorry, how rude of me." She extended a hand, a small smile playing on her lips. "I'm Minka. Kara reached out and showed me your shots. You're good. Really good."

I shifted in my seat, feeling a mix of surprise and curiosity. Where did a freshman like her get her confidence? "Thanks," I murmured.

"I'd love for you to come in for an interview," Minka said. "In an official capacity."

My eyes widened. "Are you serious?"

Minka grinned, a spark of amusement in her eyes. "Yes," she said. "I think you'd be great to have on the team. Maybe after graduation?"

"I'd like that," I said, the words coming out almost as a whisper. "Thank you."

"Don't thank me," Minka said, standing up with the same grace she had when she sat down. "Your work speaks for itself." She gave me a nod. "I'll see you soon, Ally."

And just like that, she was gone, leaving me to process what had just happened.

I took another sip of my Strawberry Iced Dream. Feeling a newfound sense of hope, I stood up and grabbed my camera bag. Maybe things would get better after all. Minka’s words echoed in my mind as I walked out of River Styx, my heart feeling a little lighter. An interview with the Serpents was more than I had dared to hope for, especially after everything that had happened.

The walk back to my apartment was brisk. The cool afternoon air nipped at my cheeks, but I welcomed it. It felt like a reminder that I was alive, moving forward, despite the weight of my past.

When I turned the corner to my street, though, my steps faltered. There he was—Nick—leaning against the brick wall outside my building. My muscles tensed immediately.

“Ally,” he called out as soon as he saw me, pushing off the wall and straightening up.

I kept walking but slowed my pace, trying to gauge his intentions from a distance. His expression was unreadable, but there was something in his eyes that made me wary.

“What do you want, Nick?” I asked when I got close enough. My voice sounded steadier than I felt.

“We need to talk,” he said, taking a step closer.

I clenched my jaw, every instinct screaming at me to turn and run. But this was Nick—part of a chapter I thought I’d closed long ago. “About what?”

“About us,” he said, his tone softening, as if that would make everything okay.

“There is nous,” I replied sharply. “Not anymore.”

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