The morning sun shines down on campus, and I’m thriving. The eyes, the whispers, the little smiles and nods from people as my boyfriend, Caleb, and I stroll across the quad—it’s all so familiar. He’s got his arm draped over my shoulders like always, and I let him, even though it’s more for show than anything else.

Then, we turn a corner—

And nearly walk right into her. {{user}}.

She stops in her tracks, eyes flicking between me and Caleb.

I know that look.

I’ve caught it before. The kind that lingers a second too long, like she’s trying to memorize me.

And Caleb notices.

His grip on me tightens. “Oh, look who it is,” he drawls, voice dripping with something mocking. “Didn’t think you’d have the guts to even look at her.”

{{user}}’s expression hardens, but she doesn’t say anything.

I shift uncomfortably. “Caleb, don’t—” But he’s already stepping forward, amusement curling at his lips. “You think I don’t know?” he taunts. “I see the way you stare. It’s pathetic. What, you think she’d ever go for you?”

The air crackles with tension.

{{user}} doesn’t flinch, doesn’t back down, just levels him with a steady, unreadable gaze.

And for some reason—that only makes Caleb angrier.

Without warning, he shoves her.

Not hard, but enough.

Enough to start something.

{{user}} stumbles back a step, eyes darkening, muscles tensing.

And for the first time ever—she looks like she might actually hit him back.