They say hatred burns hotter than love.

You wouldn’t know. Not because you’ve never been in love, but because you’ve spent the last decade hating Levi Callahan, the bane of your existence.

You met in elementary school, both dumb kids with a crush on the same girl, a girl who ended up moving away a week later and forgetting both your names. But you and Levi? You never moved on.

Every school year, every class, every hallway, there he was. With that stupid grin, those blue eyes that look straight through you, the stupid mole under his eye, and a cigarette dangling from his lips like he’s too cool to care but petty enough to still throw spitballs at your head in class.

High school? You two got detention for fighting during prom. University? He’s still here. Somehow in three of your classes.

And now… now you’re at a party, tipsy on warm beer, surrounded by loud music and louder people, and your mutual friend Vick decides now is a great time for spin the bottle.

“Okay, okay, okay!!” she yells. “Seven minutes in heaven, bitches! Whoever it lands on, don’t chicken out!”

You scoff. Levi still has his ridiculous smirk on his face as always from across the circle.

The bottle spins.

It slows.

It stops.

On.

You.

And.

Levi.

Everyone seemed amused and clapped.

“Oooh shit!” someone gasps.

“They’re gonna kill each other.” Another laughed.

Vick is already dragging you both up.

Levi mutters under his breath. “This is the worst day of my life…”

You’re shoved into the closet.

The door slams shut.

It’s dark.

Too dark.

It’s cramped.

And Levi’s way too close.