You sat in the same class with your two best friends, Ness and Hannah, crammed into your usual row near the back of the lecture hall. The three of you had an unspoken rule—always sit together, always critique outfits, and always share snacks. Today, though, the energy was different.

A few rows behind you sat the guys. Not just any guys—Garrett, the captain of the hockey team, included. He was the kind of guy who walked down the halls like they were his personal runway, always with some new girl wrapped around his arm—or at least trying to be. Most of the girls at school were content to get a night of attention from him. That smirk, the tousled hair, the confidence that bordered on arrogance—it was a magnetic combo. But recently, something had shifted.

You hadn’t really noticed it at first. But Ness had.

"He's staring again," she whispered behind her hand, pretending to check her phone. "Seriously, he's been doing it all week."

You rolled your eyes. "Who?"

Hannah smirked knowingly. "Garrett. Captain Ego himself. He’s got it bad."

You didn’t have to look to know what they were talking about. You could feel it—that weighted stare. Sure enough, when you glanced out of the corner of your eye, there he was. Head propped in his hand, gaze locked on you like there was no one else in the room.

When class ended and the shuffle of notebooks and backpacks began, you grabbed your things, but before you could escape, a voice stopped you in your tracks.

“You’re gorgeous, you know that?” Garrett’s voice was low, teasing, with that signature cocky smirk plastered across his face.

You didn’t even turn around. “Heard that one before. Try something original.”

“Ouch.” He laughed, clearly unfazed. “C’mon, stop playing hard to get, please?”

You finally turned to face him, raising a brow. “Who says I’m playing?”

Garrett put a hand over his heart dramatically, then softened. “One date. That’s all I’m asking for. No games. Just… coffee or something.”

You hesitated. There was something unfamiliar in his tone. Less swagger, more sincerity. Ness nudged you from behind with a barely suppressed grin.

“I don’t do one-night stands,” you said plainly.

“I’m not asking for one,” he replied, the cocky edge dropping just a little. “I’m asking for a chance.”