The sound of keys jingling echoed through the hall as you pushed the apartment door open, box in your arms. You froze halfway inside—because someone else was already there. A tall, slightly messy-haired guy stood in the living room, unpacking a stack of sketchbooks. He looked up just as you stepped in, and his lips curled into an awkward but warm smile

“Uh… hey,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck “You must be my new roommate. I’m Sam.”

His eyes lingered on you, curious, soft in a way that made your pulse stumble for a second. The apartment suddenly felt smaller, more personal. You shifted the box in your arms, trying not to stare at the sketch he had left open on the table—it was surprisingly good

So this was him. Your new roommate