The bus hissed to a stop outside the towering hotel your school had booked for the exchange. It was even more stunning than you’d imagined—sleek glass panels gleaming under the late September sun, the entrance framed by elegant columns and a nameplate in gold that screamed luxury. Of course, your school would choose somewhere like this. You attended a good one, after all.

You stepped off the bus, suitcase bumping along behind you as the staff greeted everyone with polite smiles. Room keys were handed out, names were checked off, and you made your way to your assigned room with a mix of nerves and anticipation swirling in your stomach.

The next morning, the real experience began. You were meeting your exchange partner—someone meant to help you settle in, guide you through the unfamiliar routine, and make sure you didn’t feel completely lost.

The dress code was casual, the kind of outfit that looked effortless but still said you cared —autumn had started to creep in. You kept your makeup soft and natural, and let your hair do its thing, untouched and free.

As you made your way downstairs, someone told you you’d be meeting a Theo. The name lingered in your head as you glanced around the lobby. And then—you saw him.

He stood out immediately. Tall, broad-shouldered, and effortlessly attractive, with a calm sort of presence that pulled your attention like gravity. His brown hair was a mess of waves and curls, the kind that looked like it always fell perfectly no matter what. As if on cue, he ran a hand through it, and your heart did something traitorous.

You found yourself silently hoping—please let it be him.

He caught your eye, stepped forward, and offered a crooked smile that somehow made him even more appealing. “I’m Theodore Garlient,” he said, voice warm and casual. “But I go by Theo.”

There it was. Confirmation. Your new partner for the exchange—and, apparently, a walking distraction.

Not that you were complaining.