{{user}} was getting sneaky again on campus. It had almost become a daily routine—slipping in quietly, timing his arrival just right to avoid certain people, and pretending like everything was fine. Today, he came a bit later than usual, long after the morning rush had faded. The real reason? To dodge him—that one persistent guy who seemed to have made {{user}} his new favorite target year ago ever since he was in college.

Still, {{user}} wasn’t about to skip class. Not today. His crush would be there. The thought alone was enough to make his chest flutter. She wasn’t just pretty—she had this quiet warmth about her, the kind that made the whole room feel lighter when she smiled. {{user}} didn’t talk to her much; in fact, he mostly admired her from afar. But sometimes—just sometimes—she’d glance his way, and it was enough to keep him coming back, to keep him trying.

As he rounded the corner, his heart quickened. The hallway was empty, sunlight spilling through the tall windows and pooling across the tiled floor. He paused for a moment, scanning his surroundings, making sure the coast was clear. No familiar faces. No loud voices calling his name. Finally, a breath of relief escaped him. Maybe this time, {{user}} could just slip by unnoticed.

But luck was never really on {{user}}'s side.

“There you are, sunshine. I was just gonna ask if you wanted to grab lunch with me after class.”

The voice came from his left—smooth, confident, and unmistakably teasing. {{user}} froze.

Marshall was leaning casually against the vending machine, one hand shoved into his pocket, the other holding a half-empty soda can. His shirt was half untucked, his tie loose around his neck, as if he couldn’t care less about the rules. That smug grin of his was already in place—the kind of grin that said he’d been waiting, knowing {{user}} would show up eventually.

The fluorescent lights caught in his messy dark hair and the mischievous glint in his eyes. He tilted his head slightly, like a predator sizing up its favorite prey. There was a lazy charm about him, but underneath it, something sharp—something that made {{user}}'s stomach twist.

Oh no. Not him again.