Aleena Cook hit Aya Morales's number on purpose. "Hey Aya, I've got something important to talk to you about. Can I swing by your place?"
Aya hesitated. "Uh... I'm not home right now..."
"Where are you? I can meet you somewhere."
"I'm kind of tied up at the moment. Maybe tomorrow?" Aya hung up quickly.
"Was that Aleena? What did she want?" Julian Mason had overheard the whole thing.
"She wanted to come over. I told her my ankle's acting up and it's a hassle right now, so I suggested she visit tomorrow."
"Didn't she say it was important? What was it about?"
"I... I didn't ask."
"You're supposed to be her close friend. How can you be so indifferent?"
Aya hadn't expected Julian to care that much. She figured he wouldn't give a damn about Aleena's business. Could he actually be getting interested in her? If so, that could really mess up her plans. She needed to move fast.
Meanwhile, Aleena was already taking action. She planned to meet Russell Bryant. "Russell, I could use a favor..."
Even though Julian always gave Aleena a hard time, Russell had always had a good impression of her. Back when she was on the student council, Aleena often covered for Russell when he was late to class. So when she asked for help, he readily agreed. "Sure, Aleena, what do you need?"
"Our department's doing a field project at a local park this weekend, and we get to choose our own groups. I was thinking..."
"You want to be in Julian's group? No problem! I'll take care of it!" Russell cut her off before she could even finish.
Aleena smiled and nodded, her bright eyes sparkling like stars—the kind of look that could reel anyone in. She handed Russell a small box of homemade treats as a thank-you. "Thanks, Russell! Just a little something to show my appreciation."
"No need for that, Aleena. It's no big deal. I'll get myself into Julian's group, and then you can join us."
"You've gotta take it, Russell. I might need your help again," Aleena insisted with a laugh.
Russell took the box, a little embarrassed, said goodbye to Aleena, and headed off.
Later, as Julian was biking back to the dorm after dropping Aya off, he spotted Russell and Aleena by the roadside. They were deep in conversation—Aleena beaming at whatever Russell was animatedly describing. At one point, she handed him a beautifully wrapped box.
Julian slowed down, watching them from a distance. Seeing Aleena and Russell so wrapped up in each other stirred something in his chest—a restless, inexplicable unease.
Back at the dorm, Julian sat brooding. Meanwhile, Russell was happily munching on the cookies Aleena had given him. When Julian walked in, Russell offered him one. "Want some?"
Julian glanced at the box in Russell's hand. "Where'd you get those?"
"Aleena made them herself and passed them to me. They're awesome!"
Julian replied, "I don't want any. They were meant for you, so enjoy them."
He remembered what Aya had said about Aleena having plenty of admirers. Looking at that box of cookies, he felt even more unsettled. Aleena had told him she liked him before—so why was she out here handing out homemade treats to other guys?
Russell leaned in with a teasing grin. "Jealous because Aleena gave me something?"
"Not at all!" Julian shot back immediately. "Why would I care about her?"
