The dorm room was quiet, save for the occasional crackling of the old radiator. You had been sitting at your desk for a while, half-heartedly flipping through a textbook, the words blurring together as exhaustion crept in. The night outside was still, the snow muffling any distant sounds from the Welton grounds.

Then, the door swung open.

Knox stumbled in, his movements clumsy, the sharp scent of alcohol immediately filling the room. His cheeks were flushed, his tie loosened, and his hair was an absolute mess. But what stood out most was the blood trickling from his nose.

He barely managed to kick the door shut behind him before slumping against it with a breathless laugh. "That went... about as well as you’d expect," he mumbled, pressing the back of his hand to his face and wincing when he realized how much he was actually bleeding.

You didn’t need to ask what happened—you had a pretty good idea.

Chris.

Knox had gone to the Danburrys’ party that night, absolutely determined to see her. He had talked about nothing else for days, working himself up into some hopelessly romantic state, convinced that if he just tried hard enough, she’d finally see him the way he saw her.

But then... he kissed her.

Not just kissed her—kissed her while she was asleep.

And, as expected, Chet had not taken it well.

Knox groaned, stumbling toward his bed and collapsing onto it. He draped an arm over his eyes, letting out a soft, almost delirious chuckle. "You should’ve seen his face," he muttered. "I mean—I barely even touched her, just a little kiss on the forehead, and he lost his damn mind." He let out a slow exhale, rolling his head to the side. "It was worth it, though."