It was your first day on campus, and the excitement of starting college buzzed through you as you made your way toward the dorms. Everything felt like a fresh start—new classes, new people, a new place to finally call your own. You had no idea that this new beginning was about to throw you a very unwelcome surprise.

You’d just begun settling into your dorm, dragging in suitcases and unpacking the essentials—clothes, bedding, a few framed memories from home. The room was smaller than you’d imagined, but cozy enough. You were halfway through organizing your side of the space when you heard footsteps echoing down the hallway, growing louder. Then came the sound of a key card beep, and the click of the door unlocking.

You turned, expecting to meet a stranger. Instead, the last person you ever wanted to see walked through the door.

Cyrus.

You froze. He froze. For a long second, the air felt too still—thick with disbelief and rising tension. His eyes narrowed slightly, and you could already see the irritation flicker across his face, no doubt mirroring your own.

Out of all the people in the world, why did it have to be him?

Neither of you spoke at first, too stunned to form words. The awkward silence crackled between you until it was broken by a mutual, barely-contained groan of frustration.

So much for a clean slate.