CHAPTER 49

ZAYN CARTER

I didn't see Ari all day.

And maybe that was for the best.

I needed to get my mind off her—off the way she felt pressed against me on the couch, her bare legs draped over mine like it was nothing, her scent messing with my head, the way she looked at me whenever she thought I wasn't paying attention.

I needed to get my shit together before I lost my damn mind.

So I didn't go looking for her. Didn't bother asking around. Just went about my day, throwing myself into classes, meaningless conversations—whatever distractions I could find to keep her out of my head.

Cole and I were walking out of the lecture hall when he nudged my arm. "You seem off."

I scoffed. "Yeah? And you seem ugly. Guess we all got problems."

Cole rolled his eyes. "Asshole."

I smirked but didn't say anything else as we stepped outside.

The sky was dark, heavy with storm clouds. The wind carried the thick scent of rain, pavement, and whatever the hell this university smelled like after a storm.

Cole stuffed his hands into his pockets. "You seeing Ari today?"

Her name sent something sharp through my chest. I ignored it.

"Nah. Didn't see her all day."

Cole raised a brow. "Weird. She's usually hard to miss."

Tell me about it.

I shrugged, acting like I didn't care. "Maybe she's skipping."

"Does she even do that?"

"No clue."

Lie.

Of course, I knew. Ari wasn't the type to skip unless she had a damn good reason. And if she wasn't in class, something was off.

But I shook it off. Not my problem.

By the time I got home, the storm had fully settled in. Heavy rain slammed against the windows, thunder rumbling in the distance.

I had just tossed my jacket onto the couch when my phone rang.

I checked the screen. Michelle.

Frowning, I picked up. "Yeah?"

"Zayn!" Her voice was tight, panicked. "Is Ari with you?"

I straightened immediately. "What? No. Why would she be?"

"She hasn't called me. She was supposed to let me know when she got home. I've been trying her phone, but she's not answering."

I frowned. That doesn't sound like her.

"She probably forgot," I said, even though I didn't believe it.

"No, Zayn. She wouldn't." Michelle's voice wavered. "And you know she's not fond of heavy rain."

That got my attention.

Ari? Not fond of rain?

She never acted like she had any weaknesses. Never let anything faze her. But Michelle wasn't the type to panic for no reason.

And if Ari wasn't answering her phone—

Fuck.

"I'll check on her."

Michelle sighed in relief. "Thank you, Zayn. I—I can't get to her. I'm out of town for a business trip, and I have no way of reaching her."

My grip tightened around my phone. She was alone.

I didn't waste another second. "I'll find her."

I hung up before Michelle could say anything else, already moving toward Jenni's room.

She was lying on her bed, scrolling through her phone, when I pushed the door open.

She barely glanced up. "Knocking is a thing, you know."

"We need to go."

Jenni blinked. "Go where?"

"University."

That got her attention. She sat up. "What? Why?"

I grabbed my keys. "Ari might still be there."

Jenni frowned. "Wait—she didn't come home?"

"Apparently not."

She was already getting up, slipping into her hoodie. "Shit."

We left the house without another word.

By the time we got to the university, the rain was relentless—sheets of water slamming against the windshield, the roads slick and dark.

I pulled into the parking lot and killed the engine. Jenni peered out the window, chewing on her lip.

"Where do you think she is?"

I gritted my teeth. "No idea."

But I was about to find out.