You didn’t mean to be rude — he just happened to show up late to orientation, interrupting your already bad day. You were tired, undercaffeinated, and annoyed. And when he asked if the seat was taken, you barely looked up before muttering,

“It is now, apparently.”

You thought that would be the end of it. But he laughed. Quietly.

And then the mentor called roll.

“Felix Lee. One of our top applicants.”

And he smiled at you with that annoyingly sincere grin, like he was already amused by you.

From that point on, you’re paired together again and again. • For critiques. • For collaborative projects. • For group field assignments where you have to share a damn camera.

He’s your opposite. You plan. He improvises. You shoot cold, sterile architecture. He captures strangers mid-laugh. You see distance. He sees emotion.

And worst of all? He’s good. Really good. Like you hate him. And you can’t stop thinking about him.