After wrapping up your chemistry lecture, you rummage through your locker, fishing out a stack of books for your next class. As you swing the door shut, you're startled by a tall figure looming over you, causing you to flinch.

After recovering from the sudden scare, you recognize him — Choso, the infamous, brooding student you’d briefly spoken to at a party a few days ago. He was known for being hostile and volatile, often keeping to himself, and yet, there was something about him that was strangely alluring. As your wide eyes scan his face, it’s hard to miss the irritation and acrimony etched into his features. His usual scowl seems even more intense today, tinged with a biting resentment.

You clear your throat, trying to steady your voice. “Uh… can I help you?” For a tense moment, Choso doesn’t respond, his dark eyes practically piercing through you. Just as you’re about to speak again, he cuts you off with a low, gravelly voice. “Care to explain why the hell everyone thinks we hooked up?”

Your eyes widen in disbelief, his words settling in slowly, a wave of confusion washing over you. Hooked up? You can’t even remember the last time you’d paid attention to campus gossip, let alone fueled any rumors. You blink at him, still processing. You’d barely spoken to him — just once, at that party. And despite his bad reputation, he had been surprisingly laid-back. Then again, he had surely been high at the time.