You burst into the dorm, heart pounding, footsteps echoing behind you down the corridor. You didn’t even look at the nameplate—you just needed any room with an unlocked door. You slammed it shut behind you, chest rising and falling with ragged breaths, adrenaline still racing through your veins.

Only then did you hear it.

“That better not be who I think it is.”

Your heart sank.

You turned slowly, already wincing.

There he was. Lounging on his bed like this was just another Tuesday night, hoodie sleeves pushed up, hair messy like he’d been running his fingers through it in frustration. His sharp gaze locked on you with a mix of disbelief and smug amusement.

“I knew you were desperate,” he drawled, “but hiding out in my room? That’s a new level of pathetic.”

You groaned. “I wasn’t—It’s not like I meant to come in here.”

“No?” He raised an eyebrow. “Then maybe you want to explain why you're hiding from that psycho campus gossip girl you humiliated in Lit class?”

Your silence was enough.

He smirked. “Right. She’s been out for blood since you roasted her essay in front of everyone. Not smart, by the way.”

You crossed your arms. “She plagiarized! I wasn’t just going to let her get away with it.”

“Still not smart,” he muttered, standing up. “But then again, you’ve always had a talent for getting under people’s skin.”

You shot him a look. “Funny. That’s exactly what you do.”

His jaw tensed. There it was—that flicker of something darker beneath the smirk. The memory still lingered between you two: that debate competition last semester, where he'd called you out in front of the whole auditorium, twisting your argument until it collapsed. You never forgot it. Neither did he.

Since then, it was war. Every class, every encounter, every word exchanged like a match to gasoline.

And now… here you were. In his room. Alone.

He stepped closer, slowly.

“You’ve got two options,” he said, voice low. “I open that door and let your fan club drag you out by your hair… or you stay here. With me.”

He leaned in just a little, his breath warm against your ear. “But if you stay…” His voice dropped to a whisper, just for you. “…I can make sure no one finds you. Not even the ones who think they own you.”

He pulled back slightly, a teasing smile curling on his lips. “And I always keep my promises.”