After his last lecture, Jay went straight back to his shared house. He had a mission. First, he needed to pick up the craft kit he'd ordered for Annie. Then, a quick shower, a change of clothes, and he'd be ready to venture into enemy territory, her halls of residence.
He pulled on a black t-shirt repping his favourite metal band, a pair of jeans with a familiar rip in the left knee, and his trusty trainers. Ten minutes later, he was standing outside Annie's building.
This wasn't just any student accommodation, this was what the students called "The Embassy," a private, luxury hall for the seriously wealthy. Jay's house had leaky pipes and a temperamental boiler, these places had en-suite bathrooms, full air conditioning, and probably heated towel racks.
He buzzed Annie, and she told him to come straight up. Her room was on the second floor. As he walked down the pristine corridor towards the stairs, a familiar figure stepped out of a room just ahead of him.
It was Vira. But not the Vira he knew.
She was wearing a pair of tiny shorts and a tight-fitting top that left nothing to the imagination.
Jay felt his brain short-circuit. It was like seeing a different person entirely. What a lucky break, a devil on his shoulder whispered. He called out her name. She turned, and a look of pure panic flashed across her face as she recognised him, her hands instinctively flying up towards her head as if to cover it.
"Vira?"
"Oh! Jay! What are you doing here?" she stammered, a blush creeping up her neck. "God, I'm not wearing my headscarf… and I'm just in my lounge clothes… this is so embarrassing."
"Hey, relax," he said with a laugh. "It's fine. I'm not going to spontaneously combust just from seeing you like this."
"I know, it's just… I'm not used to it," she said, still flustered. "Anyway, I should go."
As she scurried back into her room, Jay noticed a pair of men's trainers parked neatly by her door. His mind immediately went into overdrive. Her long-distance boyfriend must be visiting. This was, after all, "The Embassy," a place notorious for its liberal, party-hard culture. It was filled with smart kids who knew how to have a good time. Jay mused on the irony that these were the kids who often ended up as CEOs, while the awkward, book-smart geniuses from his circle were destined for smaller, less glamorous careers. Maybe it was the connections, or maybe it was just the confidence.
He found Annie's room and knocked. A voice from inside told him to come in.
He pushed the door open and was immediately impressed. Her room was immaculate. It was a spacious studio, cool and fragrant, with a TV, a double bed, and its own sleek bathroom. Annie was still in the shower. Jay sat on the edge of her bed, taking it all in. The atmosphere was… supportive. The lighting was dim. A voice in his head started getting ideas.
A few minutes later, the bathroom door opened. Annie emerged, wearing a pair of grey shorts so short they barely covered anything and a simple black tank top. And nothing else. Jay knew because as she turned her back to him to grab a towel, he saw no trace of a bra strap.
"Sorry about that, just had a shower," she said, toweling her damp hair.
"Uh, yeah, no worries," he managed to say.
"So, did you bring my package?"
"Right here," he said, handing her the small box. "Safe and sound."
"Thanks, babe," she said with a wink.
"Babe?" Jay asked, feigning innocence. "I don't remember us getting that close."
"Oh, lighten up. It's just a word. Besides, Lina doesn't have to know."
"Lina? What's she got to do with anything? She's not my girlfriend."
Annie let out a sharp laugh. "You are so clueless, Jay. It's almost painful to watch. Lina has known you've had a thing for her for ages. Your approach is just… terrible."
"Terrible? What do you mean terrible?" he asked, genuinely curious now. "What has she told you?"
"You're not aggressive enough. Lina likes a guy who's a challenge. Someone who pushes back, who isn't predictable."
"Really? I thought I was being persistent."
"If you're serious about her, you need to challenge her. Make her do something she would never expect."
"Like what?"
Annie smirked. "If I tell you, what do I get in return?"
"What is this, a business transaction?" Jay said, annoyed. "Forget it, I'll figure it out myself."
"And how's that going for you so far? What do you think you know about her?"
"She's gentle, she likes people who are funny, she's easy-going…"
Annie laughed again. "Is that it? God, you're an idiot. She craves challenges, Jay."
Suddenly, the library conversation clicked into place. What's the point of swimming? You only see half of everything. I'd rather see it all. That was a challenge. That was a test.
"Okay, I get it," he said. "Look, I should probably go. I need to get back, and I promised Lina I'd stop by her place tonight."
"Wait," Annie said, her voice dropping. "It's still early. Relax for a minute. Want a drink? I've got cold ones." She pointed to a mini-fridge under her TV that he hadn't noticed.
"What have you got?"
"See for yourself."
He opened the fridge. Inside were bottles of water, a couple of Cokes, and, most interestingly, two cans of Suntory Premium Malt's, a Japanese pilsner. He only knew what it was because he'd played way too much of the Yakuza video game series.
"You drink?" he asked.
"Sometimes. How'd you know what that was?"
"This Premium Malt's stuff is decent," he said, trying to sound like a seasoned connoisseur. In reality, he'd never even tried it.
"Oh, that was a gift from my cousin. He brought it back from Singapore."
"Must be nice being rich," Jay muttered.
"It has its perks," she said with a shrug.
He decided to play it safe and grabbed a Coke. He turned back towards the bed and froze.
Annie was sitting there, exactly as before. Except she'd taken off her tank top.
"Annie, what the hell are you doing?" he choked out, his eyes wide. "Put your shirt on. Are you crazy?"
He was shocked, but another part of him was… captivated. He couldn't help but notice the firm, perfect shape of her breasts, the dusky pink of her nipples. A war started in his head. Touch her and you'll regret it. Don't touch her and you'll regret it.
"This is a challenge, Jay," she said, her voice a seductive purr. "Lina likes a challenge. This is what it looks like."
"No," he stammered, taking a step back. "No, I can't. If you were the one I… cared about, maybe. But this is wrong, Annie."
"As long as Lina isn't with you, you can be with me," she said, her voice dangerously calm. "I told you I was looking for a guy. And I'm comfortable with you, Jay. The way you talk in your texts… you're not as innocent as you pretend to be. I'm just giving you what you want."
"No," he said again, panic overriding everything else. "I can't. I'm sorry, I have to go."
He practically fled from the room, slamming the door behind him. That girl wasn't just a challenge. She was terrifying.