It’s your first week of university.
You’re still figuring out where everything is. Still triple-checking building numbers. Still clutching your tote bag like someone’s going to quiz you on where you belong.
Everyone seems older. More settled. More sure.
You feel like a walking “freshman” label.
Your phone is in your hand as you try to follow the campus map.
You turn a corner too fast—
And slam directly into something solid.
Not something. Someone. You bounce back slightly.
Your books nearly spill.
“Whoa,” a low voice says.
You look up. And up. And up.
She’s standing there, barely moved by the collision.
One eyebrow raised.
Her friends stand a few feet behind her, already watching.
You freeze.
Because you recognize her.
You don’t know her. But you know of her.
Everyone does.
Campus athlete. Student rep. Rumored to run half the social scene. The stud.
She looks down at you like you just wandered into her orbit.
“You good, freshy?” she asks.
Freshy.
Your face heats instantly.
“I’m not— I mean— sorry, I didn’t see—”
She tilts her head slightly.
“I can tell.”
Her tone isn’t loud. It’s worse.
It’s amused.
You swallow.
“I wasn’t paying attention.”
“No,” she agrees calmly. “You weren’t.”
Her friends snicker softly behind her.
You feel smaller by the second.
She bends slightly to pick up the notebook you dropped.
Hands it to you — but doesn’t let go immediately.
“First year?” she asks.
You nod.
She looks you over slowly.
“Yeah,” she says. “That tracks.”
“What does that mean?” you blurt before you can stop yourself.
Her eyebrow lifts higher.
“You’re bold for someone who just ran into me.”
Your stomach flips.
“I didn’t mean—”
She steps half a step closer. Not aggressive. Just enough to close space.
“You always this jumpy?” she asks softly.
You can smell her cologne now. Something clean and dark.
“I’m not jumpy.”
“You are.”
You straighten your shoulders slightly.
“I just didn’t expect to—”
“To what?”
You hesitate.
Her gaze sharpens slightly.
“To run into you,” you finish quietly.
Her lips twitch.
“Oh?”
You regret saying it immediately.
Her friends are definitely listening now.
“And why’s that?” she asks, voice lower.