Brian was flitting from woman to woman before you even arrived at the bonfire. Aditi and Melissa each held one of your arms in a resolute chain, the way college girls always did. The bonfire roared in the middle of the clearing as people from all divisions drank and laughed together. The usual color-coded uniforms that divided everyone by majors had been discarded.

For one night, Mortimer University was united under the same stars.

Brian was a year older than you, and your status as the fresh transfer made him flock to you like a whiny stray. He smelled like booze and sickly sweet vape smoke as he got as close to you as possible. Aditi and Melissa pawed him off the best they could, but their own eyes were starting to wander.

"Look," Melissa whispered giddily. "Baron's here. And he has your boy."

On the opposite side of the bonfire was Melissa's long-time crush, Baron Whitemore. His blonde hair was slicked back even at this time of night, though a few cowlicks were already springing free. At his side was your forensic psychology professor, Dr. Merlin's TA. You'd only spoken to Cazimir sparingly when he led debates in class or when you inquired about whatever art project he was working on. You were pretty sure Baron was the only other person at school that Caz talked to.

But that didn't mean the leather-clad man hadn't completely captured your interest.