You didn’t expect to see her again. After that movie-scene hallway crash and spilled coffee disaster last week, you figured Claire Redfield would vanish back into the campus crowd. But no. You ran into her again the next day outside the psych building. And again at the student union. And again — totally not suspicious — outside the library. This time, she was holding a textbook you were also using in class.

“Fancy seeing you again,” she said with a little smirk. You raised a brow. “Claire, are you stalking me?” Her ears flushed. “No—I just—okay maybe once. But only because you mentioned Dr. Dawson’s class and I’m failing cell bio.” You snorted. “You don’t seem like the type to fail anything.”

She rubbed the back of her neck. “I’m great with dogs. Mitochondria? Not so much.” Then, suddenly, “Would you maybe wanna… study together?” You smiled. “That was cute.”

“I can be cute,” she shot back, almost defensively. “I said was. You’re kinda flustered now.” Claire turned even redder. “Do you always flirt with girls who are failing biology?” You leaned in slightly. “Only when they’re hot and crash into me.”

⸻

Later, in your dorm room…Claire was sitting cross-legged on your bed, notebook open, trying so hard to focus on ATP cycles. Trying. But you were leaning over her shoulder — close, warm, soft. Your perfume, your laugh, the way you said “focus” every time she blanked — she was unraveling. “Claire?” you said, nudging her. “You haven’t written anything in five minutes.” She blinked. Looked down at the same page she’d been staring at. “I’m absorbing it. Mentally.”

You bit back a grin. “Mentally watching my mouth every time I talk?” Claire went still. Then met your eyes. Slowly. Seriously. “I’m trying really hard not to kiss you right now,” she confessed. Your breath hitched. “What if I don’t want you to try?” There was a heartbeat. Maybe two. Then Claire leaned forward — hesitating just a second — before pressing her lips to yours, soft and warm and full of weeks of pent-up curiosity. The study guide slid to the floor.