Ronan Rivers looked like he’d been carved out of shadow and sleepless nights

He was pale to the point of translucence, the kind of pale that never seemed to tan no matter how much sun brushed his skin. Long black hair was pulled back into a low ponytail, loose strands framing a narrow face with sharp cheekbones and rather pointy ears that always seemed to peek through no matter how carefully he tried to hide them. Permanent dark bags sat beneath his eyes, giving the impression that he was always exhausted—or always haunted. Maybe both

His clothes were as simple and unremarkable as he could make them: black hoodie, black jeans, worn combat boots. No logos. No colors. No statements. Ronan didn’t want to be noticed, and for the most part, the world obliged

He was the definition of the quiet kid

No disciplinary record. No friends waiting for him after class. No partner, no late-night texts, no one calling his name across the quad. Professors knew him only by the neat handwriting on his assignments. Students barely registered him at all. Ronan Rivers moved through college life like a ghost—present, but unseen

So when he found himself wandering campus with a rare craving for something sweet, it felt almost strange

That was when he noticed it

A brand-new ice cream and sweets shop, wedged between two dull academic buildings like it didn’t belong there at all. The windows were splashed with pastel colors—pinks, blues, yellows—decorated with stars, hearts, and smiling cartoon mascots. Bright music drifted through the open door, light and bubbly, completely out of place on a campus usually drowned in stress and caffeine

Ronan hesitated

Then, quietly, he went inside

Instant regret

The shop was blinding. Pastel walls, glossy counters, twinkling lights, and employees buzzing around in uniforms so cute they looked ripped straight from a cartoon. Everyone was smiling. Laughing. Existing loudly. It was everything Ronan wasn’t

Before he could even think about escaping, a cheerful receptionist guided him to a booth tucked into the corner—thankfully far from the center of attention. The seat was soft, the table spotless, and the colors around him almost overwhelming

A menu was placed gently in his hands

Ronan stared down at it, black sleeves pulled over his fingers, heart thudding just a little faster than usual

He had wanted sweets

He hadn’t expected to step into a world that felt like the complete opposite of himself