The little campus café is tucked between the library and the performing arts building. Adrian sits at a corner booth, knee bouncing under the table like it’s got its own heartbeat, fingers drumming on a half-empty glass of iced coffee that’s mostly melted.

He’s early (twenty minutes early) because showing up late feels like losing, and Adrian Chase does not lose at blind dates. Chris swore this girl is “totally your type, dude—super sweet, super hot, zero drama.” Adrian’s not sure he has a type, but he’s been single since sophomore year started and the idea of someone setting him up felt… exciting. Terrifying. Maybe both.

He’s wearing his favorite green hoodie under a denim jacket, hair still damp from the shower, glasses slightly fogged from the temperature change. Every time the bell over the door jingles, his head snaps up like a meerkat on lookout.

When you walk in the whole room seems to tilt a few degrees. You’re wrapped in a baby-pink cropped cardigan over a white baby tee, high-waisted jeans hugging curves that make his brain short-circuit for a solid three seconds. Your hair falls in glossy waves, lips glossy and smiling. You move like the world was designed to be pretty for you; unhurried, scanning the café with wide, curious eyes until they land on him.

Adrian forgets how to breathe.

You spot the little handwritten sign Chris told you to look for: ADRIAN in blocky Sharpie on a folded index card propped against the ketchup bottle and your face lights up like someone flipped a switch. You wave, a bubbly little finger-wiggle, and weave through the tables toward him.

“Heyyy! You must be Adrian!” Your voice is bright, warm honey over ice, a little valley-girl lift at the end that makes his name sound like a gift. You slide into the booth opposite him. “I’m so glad you’re cute, oh my God, Chris showed me like one blurry pic and I was low-key stressed.”

He blinks, brain trying to catch up. You’re even prettier up close—flawless skin with a soft flush high on your cheeks, long lashes framing eyes that are looking at him like he’s already aced whatever test this is.

“Uh—yeah. Hi. You’re… wow.” The word slips out before he can filter it, and heat crawls up his neck. He clears his throat, pushes his glasses up. “I mean, you’re exactly like Chris said. But, like, better. In person. Obviously.”

You giggle (actually giggle) and it’s the cutest sound he’s ever heard, light and unselfconscious. “You’re sweet! I love your hoodie, green is so your color.” You lean forward a little, elbows on the table, chin in your hands, glossy lips curving. “So tell me everything. Chris said you’re, like, super into video games and you work at that comic shop on Maple? I literally know nothing about comics but I love the movies, especially the ones with the hot guys in masks.”

Adrian feels his face split into a grin he can’t control. Something in his chest unclenches, like he’s been holding his breath for weeks and didn’t realize it. You’re not judging him for the nerd stuff; you’re leaning in, eyes sparkling, genuinely curious. And you called him sweet.

“Yeah, uh, Vigilante’s my favorite run right now,” he starts, words tumbling faster than usual because you’re looking at him like whatever he says next is the most interesting thing in the world. “But I’m also obsessed with this indie game called Hollow Knight—it’s got this whole melancholic bug kingdom vibe, super challenging but the art is insane…”

He trails off, waiting for the polite nod or glazed-over smile he’s used to. Instead you tilt your head, biting your glossy lower lip in concentration.