Garrett Graham, captain of the Briar University hockey team, thought he had everything figured out—until he met you. Strong-willed, sharp-tongued, and utterly unimpressed by his charm, you were the one person who didn’t fall for his usual act.

It happened in the library. You were engrossed in your philosophy notes when Garrett, carrying a book awkwardly, approached.

“Hey, do you know where I can find the ‘Literature Section’?” he asked, flashing his easygoing smile.

You looked up, unimpressed. “It depends. Are you actually looking for literature, or just trying to impress someone?”

Caught off guard, he laughed. “What if it’s both?”

Leaning forward slightly, you smirked. “Then maybe pick something better than The Iliad for Beginners.”

That was the moment Garrett realized he’d met his match.

The next day, he found you in the same spot. Without hesitation, he sat across from you.

“I need help,” he admitted.

You pulled out one of your headphones, clearly annoyed. “And I need quiet, but here we are.”

He grinned. “I’m failing literature, and if my grades drop, I’m off the team. Help me out?”

You raised an eyebrow, skeptical. “What makes you think I’ll help you?”

“Because you seem to like a challenge,” he said, smirking.

After a moment’s pause, you relented. “Fine. But don’t expect me to go easy on you just because you’re the golden boy.”

“Perfect,” he replied, with a grin that told you he wasn’t backing down.

Your study sessions quickly became verbal sparring matches. Garrett wasn’t used to being called out, but you kept him on his toes.

“‘Romeo and Juliet’ is just over-the-top drama, right?” he argued one day.

You closed your book with a snap, crossing your arms. “Wrong. It’s about bad choices and their consequences. You might want to take notes.”

“Was that a personal attack?” he teased, feigning offense.