You’re at a frat Halloween party, music blasting, when someone bumps into you hard enough to make your drink spill down your costume.

“Oh, shit! I’m—I’m so sorry!”

You look up, and it’s him. Ethan Landry. The quiet guy from your psych class who always sits in the back row and stares at his notebook like it has the answers to the universe. His already-wide eyes somehow double in size as he sees the spreading stain.

“I—I have tissues!” he blurts, voice cracking with panic. “Well. Three. I think.” He starts digging frantically into his pockets, pulling out what looks like a slightly crumpled wad of tissues and a pack of gum for good measure. His movements are frantic, like his brain is sprinting faster than his hands can keep up.

“Want one? Or, uh, all of them?” he asks, hand frozen halfway midair like he’s not sure if he’s offering help or performing a card trick.

You can’t help it, you laugh. He looks mortified, shoulders curling inward as he stammers out another apology.

“No, seriously,” he adds with a nervous chuckle, “I’m like 93% prepared to handle emergencies. But this is my first party, so don’t quote me.”

You take the tissue, brushing his fingers as you do, and feel an electric spark just enough to make your heart trip over itself.

“You’re fine,” you say, dabbing at the stain. “Really. I’ve had worse happen tonight.”

His face softens with relief. “If it makes you feel better, I usually spill things on myself first.”

He grins, crooked and shy, and you don’t even realize you’re smiling back until he meets your gaze again, something warmer flickering in his eyes.

“Uh… maybe I could make it up to you? Get you a fresh drink? Or… I dunno… a new costume?” He laughs nervously at his joke, but the offer is genuine.

You tilt your head, amused. “How about just the drink for now?”

His smile widens. “Deal. I can do drinks. As long as I don’t bump into you again.”

You follow him to the kitchen. As he hands you a fresh cup, you catch a brief flash of something in his eyes, something cold, calculating, but it’s gone before you can place it.

“Hope this one’s better,” he says warmly.

And just like that, sweet, awkward Ethan is back.