RED NOTES AND KISSES-Chapter 58: FRIDA -

The tension under Frida’s skin was practically screaming, and before she could stop herself, she blurted out while nearly tripping backward toward Laz, "Laz, this is my study partner, Alex."

She avoided his eyes like they were made of the sun and her retinas were paper.

Her fingers twitched nervously as she pointed toward Alex like she was presenting a contestant on a very awkward game show.

Around them, students milled about the dorm entrance, dragging suitcases up the steps and greeting old roommates with dramatic squeals.

A girl in sweatpants lugging a pink suitcase slowed down mid-step to stare at the scene unfolding, nudging her friend and whispering, "Wait...is that Laziel?"

"Study partner?" Laz repeated, his voice low and gravelly, like a suspicious growl wrapped in chocolate.

He took three slow, heavy steps forward, the concrete underfoot crunching slightly as he moved past scattered leaves from the giant oak nearby.

Frida could feel his presence warm and towering just behind her.

She swore the temperature outside rose by five degrees.

The scent of pine trees mixed with his cologne and something fresh...maybe mint? wrapped around her like a warm coat she didn’t ask for.

"Alex, this is Laz. He’s...my friend," she added with the energy of someone on trial.

Before she could even inhale, Laz’s arms casually, but very purposefully, wrapped around her waist like it was his full-time job, like he owned stock in her personal space.

A pair of passing girls slowed down mid-giggle, eyes widening at the sight, one of them whispering, "Oh my God—is that Laziel?"

One guy passing with headphones stopped, yanked one bud out, and muttered, "Yo, drama already? It’s only move-in day."

Her skin didn’t just tingle—it practically erupted in little fireworks.

"Friend?" Alex echoed, eyebrow raised, like a detective who didn’t buy a single word. His gaze dropping to where Laz’s hand casually rested on her waist like a casual flex.

Laz’s only response?

He, of course, took this as a personal challenge. Pulling her in tighter, like she was a limited edition collectible.

Holding her like she was the last blanket on a cold winter night.

Her palm smacked against his chest and she gasped, not just from shock but because holy hell he was warm like sun-soaked stone. The heat radiating off him like he was running a personal furnace.

"Yeah. Friend," Laz said smoothly.

"Since when?" Alex asked, lips twitching in a frown so tight it could snap.

Frida tried to squirm free, but Laz held on like he’d practiced in a mirror.

His chin dipped to rest gently on her head, while two girls giggled by the stair rail, one sneakily recording a video on her phone.

"Since now," Laz murmured—his voice sin wrapped in velvet.

Frida tried to collect herself, but the dorm steps felt like a stage, and she was in the middle of a reality TV love triangle gone rogue.

"Actually, Laz has been my best friend since we were in diapers. We had...a misunderstanding. But we’re good now," she said, throwing in a weak smile that was more apology than explanation.

Alex’s jaw clenched.

Laz’s smirk sharpened.

And somewhere a dorm window creaked open as someone leaned out to get a better look, popcorn in hand.

Laz took a step forward. "What’s the issue, Alex boy? You look a bit...pissed for a study partner."

"You look a bit too close for a friend," Alex replied coolly.

Frida pinched the bridge of her nose. "What is happening?! I just got back from Vegas, my room’s a mess, I haven’t eaten, and now you two are acting like I’m giving out rose ceremonies. Alex, I’ll see you at the library tomorrow."

Alex moved toward her luggage. "Let me help you unpack. I missed you, you know?"

And just like that, Laz’s entire vibe changed.

His chill? Gone.

The usually chilled, confident Laziel was now Death Glare 9000. His dark eyes practically turned obsidian.

He stepped up like a warning sign with legs, a full two inches taller than Alex, and wasn’t even pretending to hide his dominance.

Now it was full-on territorial mode.

"Don’t bother. I got it," Laz said, grabbing the box like it weighed nothing.

"I’ve heard of you," Alex said coldly. "Laziel. F1 prodigy. Tech genius. Mr. ’Heartbreaker.’ You really think you’re her type?"

A few upperclassmen hanging by the dorm pillars perked up.

Laz laughed. "That’s exactly why I’m here."

Frida internally screamed. I need to disappear. Right now.

Alex sneered, "Frida’s not that kind of girl."

"Exactly," Laz fired back. "That’s why I haven’t touched her. Yet."

Alex blinked.

Frida’s brain exploded.

"By not that kind of girl, I presume, you mean the girls you’ve been passing STDs to?" Laz jabbed with a smile so smug, a flock of birds took off behind them like even nature couldn’t take it.

Frida choked on her own laugh. She actually had to cover her mouth.

"What’s funny?" Alex snapped.

"You two," she wheezed. "This is the most romantic tension I’ve ever witnessed outside of a bookstore aisle."

"Ew," they both said at the same time.

Alex’s phone rang. "Frida, I have to go. Good seeing you."

He leaned in for a hug, but Laz intercepted faster than an NFL quarterback.

Before she could blink, she was buried in his chest, his strong arm swooping around her like a superhero in a petty war.

Laz’s narrowed eyes stared down Alex like, Try it. I dare you.

"Yeah, you too. Bye, study partner," he said with a smirk so smug it could’ve been bottled.

Alex just sighed and walked away, muttering curses as he disappeared into the dorm lobby.

Frida giggled against his chest, the deep rhythm of his heartbeat under her palm more soothing than she wanted to admit.

She had forgotten he was the complete opposite of nonchalant.

She looked up, slowly, dreamily, and then froze.

She stayed frozen against Laz’s chest, stunned, confused, and slightly turned on by the protective heat radiating off him.

And then she saw it.

Her name.

There, inked delicately on Laz’s neck, in tiny italics, was her name.

Frida.

She blinked.

He watched her.

"You’re touching me, Frida," he whispered, eyes dark and soft at the same time.

She didn’t move.

Because in that moment...amid the laughter, stares, and slamming dorm doors...everything else disappeared.

Except him.