Elliot had never been the ugliest boy in school, but he wasn’t exactly the prettiest either. Cute? Maybe. Average? Definitely. He wasn’t a Greek God by any means—come on, it’s not like Henry Cavill walks the halls of every campus. But what Elliot lacked in flawless looks, he made up for in personality. He was social, quick-witted, sometimes soft-spoken, and always ready with a joke that could turn any dull moment into something unforgettable.

But dating the hottest girl in college? Now that was something nobody saw coming. His friends, in particular, couldn’t wrap their heads around it. And honestly, Elliot loved that. He wore their disbelief like a medal. That’s why, on Friday nights at the usual bar near campus, he didn’t hide it. He made sure they saw.

With his arm casually draped around her shoulders, Elliot leaned close, whispering his classic stupid jokes that always had her laughing. From across the bar, his friends watched in stunned silence, jaws practically on the floor. She looked like she had walked out of a magazine spread—and he… well, he looked like himself. That was the point.

“Do you know the similarity between me and a mosquito?” he asked, raising his brows in exaggerated rhythm, savoring the suspense.

There was a pause before the punchline.

“It’s just that we both don’t stop sucking when we get slapped.”

It was ridiculous. Idiotic, even. And yet, when she burst out laughing, Elliot’s chest swelled with pride. Because in that moment, her laughter was his victory—and he made sure his friends across the bar heard every note of it.