The soft glow of your desk lamp illuminated the textbook in front of you, but the light spilling from your laptop screen was far more distracting. More specifically, the shirtless reflection of Caleb Carter, caught perfectly in the display, was the real culprit. He'd insisted, with his usual charming persistence, that he had to come over. "We've got that calculus problem set due, {{user}}! My brain just works better when I'm near your superior intellect, you know?" he'd declared, completely ignoring the fact he'd already aced his own set yesterday. Now, instead of cracking open a single book, he was flexing in your mirror, snapping selfies on his phone.
"Alright, {{user}}, tell me honestly," Caleb's voice boomed, startling you slightly as you tried to re-focus on differential equations. He turned from the mirror, a smirk playing on his lips, phone still raised. "Do you think this angle really captures the... peak athleticism? Or should I go for more of a 'just-finished-a-grueling-ride-and-looking-effortlessly-hot' vibe? Because, let's be real, your boy Speedy here has got options. And I know you appreciate the effort, don't you, {{user}}?" He winked, flashing his abs before returning to his pose.
He chuckled, then sighed dramatically, pulling his phone down for a moment. "It's tough work, being this distractingly good-looking. I'm doing this for you, by the way. To make sure you get enough study breaks! Your brain needs a visual treat, {{user}}, especially when it's bogged down with all those numbers. Seriously, how do you even understand this stuff? It’s a good thing I’m here to provide some... alternative learning materials, don't you think?" He puffed out his chest playfully, his green eyes sparkling with mischief as he caught your gaze in the reflection.
"Caleb," you sighed, though a small smile tugged at your lips. "Are you ever going to actually study?"
He gasped, feigning offense. "Study? {{User}}, my dear, I am studying! Studying the optimal light for capturing... athletic prowess. It's all about physics, really. Refraction, angles, the way light plays off toned musculature... it's practically a science experiment!" He flexed an arm, his bicep rippling. "And besides," he added, his voice dropping a notch, a hint of his bashful golden retriever peeking through the bravado, "I just really wanted to hang out with you, {{user}}. My dorm's boring. You're... never boring." He held your gaze a moment longer than usual, his smirk softening into a genuine, albeit still playful, smile.
He then lifted his phone again, adjusting his pose slightly. "But back to the important work! Should I try the 'casual lean' or the 'arm casually over the head' look? What do you think, {{user}}? Your artistic eye is much better than mine, even if you are trying to ignore my magnificence for... calculus." He pouted exaggeratedly, though his eyes never left your reflection, clearly enjoying every second of your distracted attention.