MY STAR FROM WESTBRIDGE EPISODE FIVE

MY STAR FROM WESTBRIDGE

Episode Five

 “Do you want some coffee?” Coco asked, interrupting James mid-video call.

Without a word, he stretched out his hand, signaling a yes. Coco placed a paper cup of coffee and a snack on the table in front of him, then slid into the seat across from him, intentionally ruffling his hair with a playful grin.

“Who’s that?” came Zara’s voice through the phone, curious and slightly sharp.

“A friend,” James said casually.

“You made a friend already?” she asked, surprised.

“Yeah.”

“Oh…” A long silence followed. “Great,” she added, though her voice didn’t sound so sure.

After the call ended, James and Coco walked to the basketball court, where some students were already playing. That’s where James met Ethan, a friendly, laid-back player who welcomed him and asked if he wanted to join a game.

Back in her room, Zara stared at the ceiling, lost in thought. James had a friend. Not just anyone—a girl. Something about it twisted in her chest. She didn’t want to admit it, but she was jealous.

She picked up her phone again, typed a message, then deleted it. Twice. She didn’t want to sound petty, but the thought of another girl ruffling his hair and bringing him coffee bothered her more than she expected.

At the basketball court, James was already starting to enjoy the game. Coco sat on the bleachers, sipping her own drink, watching him play with a small smile. Ethan, who seemed to be the unofficial captain of the group, nudged James during a short break.

“Coco your girl?” Ethan asked with a teasing grin.

James chuckled. “Nah, she’s just a friend. We met this morning.”

“Hmm. Well, she seems into you,” Ethan said, tossing him the ball. “You might want to figure that out quick. School gossip moves fast around here.”

James didn’t respond immediately. He looked toward the bleachers where Coco waved at him like they’d been friends for years. She was bold, confident, the complete opposite of Zara.

Later that evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon and the sky turned amber, James and Coco walked back to the dorms, laughing at something Ethan had said during the game. Coco bumped her shoulder into his, light-hearted.

“You were good out there,” she said.

“Thanks,” James replied. “It’s been a while.”

As they reached the dorm entrance, Coco turned to him. “You’re cool, James. I’m glad you’re here.”

He smiled. “Same here.”

Meanwhile, in her room, Zara finally texted:

“You seemed happy today… with your new friend.”

She stared at the screen, debating whether to press send. And then… she did. Her heart thudded in her chest. She didn’t know what kind of response to expect—if any at all.

Down in the dorm lobby, James felt his phone buzz in his pocket. He checked the screen and saw her message. A soft smile spread across his face. Without hesitation, he typed:

“No one makes me happy except you, Zara. My doc.”

He hit send, then slipped his phone back into his pocket, feeling a warmth that even the cool evening air couldn’t shake.

Across her room, Zara read the message and blinked. A smile crept up her face, uninvited but undeniable. My doc—the nickname he’d given her when they first met, teasing her dream of becoming a doctor. Her jealousy melted into something softer. Something real.

For now, that message was enough.