Chapter 3: Dining Hall Tension

Now that I knew Caleb and the body pillow were linked, I didn’t even consider tossing it away at night. I stuck to my habit—hugging it tight between my legs. It’s been my go-to since I was a kid, back when my mom first tucked a rolled-up quilt between my knees to help me sleep. Without something there, I just can’t get comfortable.

The next morning, I woke up feeling genuinely refreshed. My best friend and roommate, Tanya, banged on our door and yanked me out of bed, ranting about missing breakfast.

“Hustle, Nat! If we’re not in line in five, the cinnamon rolls will be gone and you know it!”

We dashed out, sneakers squeaking on the old linoleum, and just as I stepped onto the path toward the dining hall, I heard that now-familiar inner voice pop up in my head:

[When can I openly call her Nat too?]

[I want to eat with her too.]

I stopped so abruptly Tanya nearly slammed into my back. Scanning the quad, I spotted Caleb leaning against a brick pillar, arms crossed, looking cool and untouchable as ever. The morning sun glinted off his hair, making him look like he’d stepped out of a magazine ad. He caught me staring, eyes narrowing just a touch before giving a short, cool nod—classic campus heartthrob move.

My heart pounded against my ribcage. I could hardly breathe. The contrast between his public and private self was almost too much—Mr. Icy in public, total sweetheart in private. I had to force myself to look away before I melted into a puddle right there. Tanya yanked my sleeve, dragging me along. As we hustled away, his inner voice followed:

[She left.]

[As expected, she won’t look at me again.]

[No, I want to eat with Nat.]

I almost burst out laughing but managed to hold it together. Still, I felt this silly little thrill—he really wanted to sit with me.

The air was crisp with the smell of fresh-cut grass and fried eggs wafting from the dining hall windows, a soundtrack to my not-so-secret joy.

---

"Why’d you suddenly come to the dining hall today?" Tanya’s voice echoed beside me, way too loud for a Monday morning. Then, from behind, a much deeper, cooler voice: "The air’s good here."

“Let’s get a window seat then!” Tanya beamed, eyes darting around for an open table.

Just as we sat down, someone asked, “Hi, is this seat taken?”

I glanced up, heart thumping. Tanya was basically vibrating with excitement, shooting me a thousand winks. She knew all about my hopeless Caleb crush, and now she was more hyped than I was to have him so close. Before I could say anything, she jumped in: “Yes, yes, yes, you can sit! Sit next to Nat!”

Caleb’s eyes flickered to me, quietly asking for permission. “Is it okay, Natalie?”

Natalie? Now that felt cold. Who was it last night, being all soft and cuddly, whispering Nat over and over? I felt my cheeks flush just remembering.

I nodded coolly, doing my best ice queen impression: “Mm.”

Sure enough, his inner voice piped up, pure puppy-dog eyes:

[Nat’s so cold to me.]

[Did I do something wrong?]

Caleb and his roommate Marcus sat down across from us, trays piled high. Caleb’s face had that classic brooding look, his aura so chilly you could practically see your breath.

Marcus squinted at him. “Bro, you good?” He crammed a chunk of breakfast sandwich in his mouth. “You look like death warmed over. You sick or something?”

Caleb didn’t answer right away, so Marcus carried on, all big-bro energy: “Told ya, you’re too young to be acting like an old man. All those cold showers last night—dude, even a linebacker would tap out.”

Tanya’s jaw dropped. “Cold showers?” She looked like she was ready to take notes.

Marcus grinned, “He’s just a neat freak. Can’t sleep if he’s not super clean.”

A neat freak? I blinked at Caleb, trying to picture him obsessively scrubbing his shower tiles.

Just then, Caleb risked a quick glance at me.

[Nat looks so cute when she smiles.]

[I’m not a neat freak, that’s just Marcus’s nonsense.]

[If my Nat hadn’t kept hugging me, I wouldn’t have had to take six cold showers. Such sweet torture.]

Six times? Cold showers? I nearly spit out my orange juice, sneaking a look at him. Was I really that much for him to handle?

[Wow, Nat looked at me again. This encounter was worth it.]

[Hope she’ll look at me again tomorrow.]

I ducked my head, hiding a smile behind my coffee cup, the buzz between us so obvious I thought Tanya might catch on.

---

After that, I kept running into Caleb in the dining hall every day. By day, we played it cool—just classmates who happened to eat together. By night, we were like secret partners in crime, connected by that ridiculous body pillow. The sense-sharing thing made everything feel strange but also… kind of thrilling.

I still had no idea why I could hear his thoughts or why he was linked to my pillow. All I knew was, he’d slowly started to slip into my life, and I was starting to want him there. Maybe I could let myself get a little closer, just this once.

Nights were the worst. Sometimes, I’d be about to drift off when I’d hear a quiet, breathless moan in my ear—Caleb’s, unmistakably. I’d flush and bury my face in the pillow, shocked at how the cool, aloof Caleb could be so… needy. Who knew he was like this in private? The guy was low-key irresistible.

One morning, I was munching on a breakfast burrito, sneaking glances at Caleb across the table. He looked especially good today—hair tousled, a lazy smile on his lips. The air between us practically crackled, and even Tanya seemed to notice.

Neither of us pushed it. We let the tension simmer, a slow burn that made every shared glance feel like a secret.

Suddenly, a girl with glossy black hair and a bold lipstick smile appeared at our table, tray in hand. "Is this seat taken?" she purred.

Caleb’s eyes iced over. “It’s taken.”

She looked around, all flirty confidence: “Where’s the person?”

“They’ll be here soon.” He scowled, not even trying to be polite.

The girl tucked her hair behind one ear, flashing him a too-sweet smile: “Well, I’ll just sit for a second then. Caleb, long time no see.”

He ignored her, grabbed a hash brown, and slid it onto my plate. “Try this.”

I felt a surge of satisfaction, the interruption suddenly not so bad. I shot him a grateful smile.

Jessica didn’t take the hint. “It’s okay if Caleb ignores me,” she chirped. “Anyway, Grandpa invited you to dinner tonight. You’ll come, right?”

She gave me a sharp look, like she was staking her claim.

Caleb didn’t even glance her way, just kept piling food onto my tray. Jessica stabbed at her eggs, clearly pissed.

After breakfast, Jessica cornered me at the dining hall door, blocking my way.

“My family and Caleb’s have been friends forever. We’re getting engaged soon.”

My stomach twisted, sour and hot, as if I’d swallowed a mouthful of battery acid. I forced a cold smile. “So?”

Jessica’s eyes narrowed. “Caleb’s just playing with you. His real fiancée is me.”

I matched her icy tone, dialing up the sass: “Congrats, but I’m just here for the free food and the hot guy. You can have him back when I’m bored.”

Jessica was clearly not ready for that answer. She gaped at me, lips parting in shock. I brushed past her, feeling both powerful and a little shaken.