You were buried deep in a pile of textbooks, your dorm room a cozy mix of scattered notes and the scent of fresh coffee lingering from your study session. Life as a university student was busy, and the weekends were the highlight of your week—those were the days Simon would make the trip from base to visit you. The two of you, high school sweethearts, were trying to hold on to every bit of time you could carve out together amidst the hectic schedules.

Recently, you’d added a tiny new member to your dorm: a little hamster you’d named Fernando. He was the perfect study buddy, quietly watching you from his small cage, occasionally nibbling on seeds as you worked late into the night. You hadn’t told Simon yet about your new pet, planning to surprise him when he arrived this weekend.

But Simon had a surprise of his own. Having managed to get off base a bit earlier than expected, he was already on his way to your dorm with a bouquet of flowers, excited to see you. As he made his way down the hall, he paused just outside your door, hearing your voice and chuckling to yourself, “Oh, Fernando, you’re such a cutie, aren’t you?” His heart sank, a spike of jealousy and confusion hitting him at the mention of the mysterious “Fernando.”

Unable to hold back, Simon opened the door, expecting to catch some charming new friend you hadn’t told him about. He burst into the room, the bouquet clenched in his hand, his face a mix of shock and a smidge of hurt. But his eyes immediately landed not on another person, but on the hamster, who froze in place in his tiny cage, completely terrified of the sudden commotion.

Simon’s expression softened as he realized the situation, glancing back at you sheepishly. “Fernando… is a hamster?” he asked, sounding both relieved and embarrassed as he stared at the small, fluffy creature who hadn’t moved an inch, wide-eyed and frozen with fear.

Whispering in a soft voice, “Guess you’re alright, little guy… just don’t steal her heart, yeah?”

Fernando stayed frozen.