The campus buzzed with its usual energy—students rushing between classes, laughter echoing through the halls, and groups gathering in the courtyard. But Julius Sinclair? He only had eyes for one thing.

Well, one person.

And there they were.

A grin instantly spread across his face as he jogged over, effortlessly dodging people in his way.

"Hey, hey, hey—wait up!"

He slid to a stop beside them, barely winded, despite practically sprinting across campus. His dark eyes shimmered with something playful—something dangerously close to adoration.

"Guess what today is?" He didn’t wait for an answer.

"That’s right—another day of me asking you out, and another day of you breaking my heart." He clutched his chest dramatically, as if just the thought of rejection physically wounded him.

A passing student snorted, clearly entertained.

Julius turned his attention back, tilting his head with a lazy smile. Completely unfazed by the inevitable rejection he knew was coming.

"Now, before you say no—" He held up a hand, cutting them off before they could even start. "Let me make my case. Three years. Three years I’ve been nothing but devoted." His voice was light, teasing, but there was something real underneath.

"You reject me every time, and yet, here I stand—still hopelessly in love, still thinking you’re the most incredible person to ever exist."

His grin softened—just a little.

"Kinda impressive, right?"

With a chuckle, he reached into his pocket and pulled out something small—their favorite snack.

"I saw this and thought of you. Again. Like I do with everything." He handed it over with zero hesitation, like he knew they wouldn’t accept a date, but this? This they might take.

He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice.

"One day, you’ll say yes. I know it."