When You're Gone (Colette)

Half of Colette's soup spilled to the other side, while some of it spilled on the guy when they collided.

Fortunately, Colette wasn't scalded. However, James inhaled sharply when he felt the scorching pain from the hot soup.

Colette jumped in shock. Concerned, she inquired, "Hey, are you okay?"

James pulled himself together after taking a few deep breaths. Waving, he assured her, "I'm okay. Sorry, I made you spill your soup. I'll get you a new bowl!"

His highly logical apology took her by surprise. She'd never come across a victim who offered an apology and compensation. This wasn't his fault at all.

"It's fine. I'll get a new bowl of soup myself." She looked at the spilled soup on the floor with pity. Shaking her head, she handed him some napkins and pointed at the soup that stained his shirt.

Looking worried, she asked, "The soup doesn't cost much anyway. How about you? Are you sure you're not hurt?"

He accepted the napkin and carefully dabbed the skin under his shirt. Then, he flashed her a bashful grin.

Janelle had found a table and placed her soup by then. She went back for Colette and was shocked to see the scene.

Colette summarized the incident for Janelle. Janelle, after scanning the almost empty cafeteria, turned her attention back to the young man who refused to budge. Something clicked in her mind, but she did not vocalize her thoughts.

Instead, she chuckled. "Well, you've met each other, one way or another. You did not get into a fight, but you got to know each other." Then, she whispered into Colette's ears, "He's quite hot. Do you want to get his number?"

Before Colette could respond, Janelle reached out to James fora handshake. "She's Colette Evans. I'm Janelle Windsor. We're both O sophomores. What's your name?"

James was slightly taken aback when he learned they were sophomores. He gathered himself and replied, "Hi, I'm James Vanderbilt. I'm a freshman."

Janelle arched her eyebrow with amusement. With a twinkle in her eyes, she teased Colette, "Ooh, he's younger than you."

The three of them exchanged numbers. Only when the girls were back at the dorm did Colette notice something amiss.

"Janelle, did you hide something from me?"noveldrama

Janelle turned around and shot her a puzzled look. "Really? What did I hide from you?"

Moments later, Janelle widened her eyes and raised her voice. "Wait! Did you not notice that he was into you?"

Their roommates had been hanging out at the dorm. Since they did not have to attend the town hall, no one woke up before noon unless they had morning class.

They stirred in surprise when they

heard Janelle's voice. Colette

blushed deeply. She hurriedly

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covered Janelle's mouth to stop the

latter from speaking nonsense.

She chided Janelle, "Quit the nonsense! I've only met him once, and here you are,

making up stories. Are you trying to wake everyone up?"

Janelle tugged at Colette's arm in protest. Just as she was about to argue with Colette, one of their roommates asked with a curious glint in her eyes, "What's going on? Who's into who?"