SHE CLOSED HER eyes, savoring another bite of the burger. Mmm! The taste was heavenly, as always. Relish was a popular spot on campus, known for its mouthwatering food that could easily empty students' wallets but fill their stomachs with satisfaction. Whether it was fast food or homemade Nigerian delicacies, Relish never disappointed. And not to forget about the snacks and ice cream—they were just as tempting.

The place was bustling as usual. Students filled the space, chatting away while some worked on their laptops or watched the big TV screen mounted on the wall.

Taking a large gulp of her Fanta, she wiped her mouth as a few drops escaped. She was in the midst of enjoying her meal and thought to herself, speak to me once I've finished devouring this giant hamburger.

For her, food was a serious matter. Nestled in her favorite booth at Relish, she continued to savor each bite, determined to bury the burger deep in her stomach.

"I'm doing you a favor, buddy. You'll thank me later," she murmured to her stomach, eliciting a few chuckles from nearby patrons. Noticing the laughter, she shifted her attention to the screen, likely the true source of their amusement. A comedy movie was playing, though she had seen it before. Relish had a tendency to replay films, but given how much time she spent there, she was well accustomed to it.

Nonetheless, a smile tugged at the corners of her lips as the movie's humor tickled her funny bone. However, her amusement quickly faded when she spotted someone she would rather not see. Great, just great! she thought, taking an angry bite of her burger and chewing with frustration.

His eyes scanned the area, prompting hers to follow instinctively, settling on his usual spot—now occupied. Aha! She smirked, assuming he'd take his leave. But as the couple across from her and their friend beside them began to stand, a wave of panic surged within her.

Her eyes widened as she stared at each of their now-empty plates, praying for a miracle to refill them with food. But either God was punishing her on purpose, or He was too busy jamming to His favorite song. Wait—wasn't Angel Lucifer the one who used to sing for God until his ego got in the way? she mused. After he got cast out, who took his place?

Right, no answer. Figures. Google probably wouldn't know either, because—

"Are you okay?" Nathan Ayobami's voice cut through her spiraling thoughts, snapping her back to reality.

She blinked, struggling to contain the storm of emotions crossing her face—anger, shock, disbelief, and back to anger. Somehow, Nathan and his friends had slipped into her booth: Nate directly across from her, Dave beside him, and Graig sitting uncomfortably close next to her.

"What does it look like?" she retorted, intending for the words to sound harsh. Instead, they caught in her throat, triggering a fit of coughing. Just great!

Graig quickly handed her his water, which she accepted gratefully, chugging it down before managing a small smile. Of the group, he was the least cocky, arrogant, and egotistical—traits the others wore like badges of honor.

Now, you're probably wondering why she had such an issue with them. Well, buckle up, friends—let's take a trip down memory lane.

It all began a year ago when she was a freshman. It was a sunny afternoon, and the wind was blowing... okay, maybe not every detail is necessary, but it was really windy. As she walked past Nathan's friends, her shy nature made her anxious, and the wind only made things worse by blowing her dress up, exposing her underwear. And, of course, since they had nothing better to do with their lives, they burst out laughing. That day instantly became the most embarrassing moment of her life.

Pretty humiliating, right? She thought so too. And please, spare her the "it's not a big deal" speech—it was a big deal, and it still is. Everyone she vented to about her undying hatred for Nathan Ayobami and his friends always took their side, and honestly, she couldn't blame them. To most people, they were the hottest guys in school. Gag! She, however, still believed Derenle was hotter than the three of them combined.

The weeks following that day, she started seeing them at Relish. But giving up the food there wasn't an option, so she kept going. Besides, they either didn't recognize her or pretended not to.

She would watch them as they came to eat—yeah, just as frequently as she and her friends did—and they were always obnoxiously loud. Their noise only fueled her frustration. Knowing them and their peanut-sized brains, they were probably laughing at another poor girl whose skirt had been blown up by the wind. If that kind of thing happened on a regular basis, anyway.

In fact, this was the first time they had ever sat together at a table in Relish. She glowered at him. If looks could kill, well... RIP, buddy.

"Why is a pretty girl like you alone and talking to herself?" he asked, completely unfazed by the death glare she was giving him.

Ha, nice try. She saw right through him. That "pretty girl" line probably worked wonders on others, but not on her.

"It's none of your fucking business," she snapped.

He leaned forward, propping his elbows on the table, his dark eyes locking onto hers. A jolt of electricity shot through her as his gaze bore into her with unnerving intensity. The sudden and direct eye contact sent an unexpected shiver down her spine. She wasn't used to such piercing attention, and for a fleeting moment, it caught her completely off guard

"Isn't it?" he asked, his tone casual but his gaze betraying a flicker of curiosity. "Only a crazy person talks to herself, and I think it's my business to know if I'm sharing a table with one."

His words yanked her back to reality, and she quickly straightened, regaining her composure. Still, the lingering sensation of his eyes on her left her feeling strangely unsettled—though she hated to admit it, a little intrigued as well.

Dave snickered from across the table, and she slapped her forehead in exasperation. How much more annoying can he get? His level of obnoxiousness was almost beyond comprehension—so over the top that it was even cringier than her own inner ramblings. Which, admittedly, were pretty cringe-worthy, but Dave's obnoxiousness could outmatch hers any day of the week.

And there she was, debating with herself over which of them was the cringiest. Yeah, go ahead, feel free to facepalm, she thought grimly. But seriously, he was the absolute worst.

"See? She's talking to herself again," Nate said with a smirk, his friends snickering along.

How her mutterings amused them so much, she couldn't fathom.

"I was just thinking out loud. I bet you don't even know what thinking is." Comeback game strong! Go, girl!

Even Dave and Graig seemed to agree, chiming in with exaggerated "oohs" that gave her a small but satisfying boost. Nate, unimpressed, flipped them off, clearly ready with a snarky reply—until their food arrived, cutting him short.

She took the last bite of her burger and slowly sipped her Fanta, watching the trio chat as they dug into their meals.

Nate wore that familiar smirk—the one she had seen countless times during his visits to Relish. It was his signature expression, as if he didn't know any other way to arrange his face. Does this guy even know how to smile properly? she wondered.

Yet, as much as she hated to admit it, that smirk looked undeniably attractive. It highlighted his features in a way that made it hard to tear her gaze away.

Nate was a tall, dark-skinned guy, standing well over six feet, exuding a striking presence. His physique was impressive—broad shoulders hinting at strength, with the kind of athletic build that suggested hours of dedication. His face was perfectly structured, with a strong jawline that added to his magnetic appeal. Long lashes framed his deep, intense eyes, drawing anyone in without effort. His nose was straight and sculpted, adding symmetry to his already flawless features. His lips—full with a defined cupid's bow—looked frustratingly kissable, and worse, he knew it.

As for his friends, they weren't far behind in the looks department. Dave, with his sharp wit and quick tongue, always carried a mischievous glint in his eyes that hinted at trouble brewing. Graig, though quieter, had a laid-back charm, his soft smile giving him an air of approachability that set him apart from Nate's cocky demeanor and Dave's playful arrogance.

Together, they formed a trio that commanded attention wherever they went. But no matter how good-looking they were, they still annoyed the hell out of her.

***

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