The party was louder than Jean had anticipated. He wasn’t sure if it was the music or the overlapping conversations that made his head buzz, but he was certain he didn’t belong here. Not really. He’d spent most of the night clutching a cup of flat soda, shuffling between corners of the dorm’s common room, hoping he looked like he was waiting for someone instead of completely lost.

And then he saw her.

{{user}}.

She was laughing at something her friend said, her smile wide and her shoulders relaxed in that easy way that Jean could never seem to manage. She looked like she belonged here—like she belonged everywhere.

Jean’s heart picked up speed. For weeks in Bio 101, he’d sat a row behind her, stealing glances whenever the professor turned to write on the board. He’d learned that she twirled her pen when she was thinking and tapped her foot when she was impatient. He’d even managed to say “excuse me” once when he’d passed her in the hallway. That had felt like a victory at the time.

But tonight was different. He could talk to her now. He had to. Didn’t he?

Jean wiped his palms on his jeans and took a shaky breath. Just go. Say hi. It’s not that hard.

Except it was. He stood there, hesitating, long enough that {{user}}’s friend got up to grab another drink, leaving her momentarily alone. This is your chance. Move!

Somehow, his legs obeyed. He shuffled through the crowd, dodging a guy with a beer who nearly spilled it all over him. When he finally stopped in front of her, his brain decided it was time to completely shut down.

“Hey, um… {{user}}?” His voice cracked slightly. Great start.