Chapter 1: The Kiss That Changed Everything

Once again, my campus heartthrob roommate stole my crush, so I decided to lose it right then and there.

The ache in my chest was hot and real, right there in the dorm hallway under the humming fluorescent lights and the RA’s “Quiet Hours After 10 pm” poster, like my pride was getting trampled every time Caleb flashed that damn movie-star smile at someone else. My knuckles itched, wanting to punch something—maybe a pillow, maybe him. This wasn't the first time he'd swept in, all cool and untouchable, and left me in his wake.

"Last night you were all pillow talk with me, and today you're hanging out with another good girl?"

I pitched my voice loud, just to make sure he'd hear me over whatever game he was playing—or over the PS5 in the suite living room. Even if it sounded dramatic, I didn't care. My dignity had hit rock bottom.

"What is it—my core didn't pass yoga, or my legs didn't make varsity length?"

My sarcasm was sharp, cutting through the awkward air. I didn't know if he was even listening, but I didn't stop.

"Babe, say something. Hello? Babe!"

My heart was pounding, my cheeks flushed hot. I was ready to throw punches and go at him.

I could feel every muscle tense, my fists clenching. My adrenaline was up, like right before a fight at the school gym.

The next second, he bent down and kissed me hard on the lips.

It was so sudden I nearly lost my balance—his thumb still pressing the inside of my wrist, as if to check my pulse. His grip was firm, lips pressed with a hunger that made my brain go blank for a split second. Pride told me to shove him; shock told me I didn’t hate it.

It was so sudden I nearly lost my balance, his grip firm, lips pressed with a hunger that made my brain go blank for a split second. The world shrank to the feeling of his mouth on mine.

His voice was low and husky: "Knock it off—your guy's right here."

His words vibrated in my ears, rough and deep, the kind that would echo in my head hours later.

...Wait, why isn't this guy playing by the rules?

My mind was reeling, trying to catch up with what just happened. Had he just... flipped the script on me?

1

On the way to the dining hall at noon.

The campus queen, her cheeks flushed, rushed over and blocked me and Caleb.

Her hair was perfectly curled, but a few strands were stuck to her forehead from rushing across the quad. She practically radiated that high-school-homecoming energy, and even the heat couldn't slow her down.

"Caleb, can I talk to you for a minute?"

Two campus stars walking side by side, and passing students shot us excited glances.

I could feel the weight of their gazes, their whispers floating on the breeze. A freshman tour group literally slowed at the ID tap turnstiles, and someone muttered about Barstool posting this before dinner.

The guy next to me glanced at his phone, his cool, handsome face showing a hint of impatience.

He tapped the screen at :59, like he always does, sighing just a little, the kind of attitude that said he'd rather be anywhere else but here.

"What do you want to say? Lunch starts in one minute."

Seeing him like that, I rolled my eyes so hard I nearly sprained something.

I did a full eye roll, practically groaning. Sometimes I wished I could reach into his brain and rewire whatever made him so annoyingly smug.

...Just a month ago, she was chasing me to add me on Instagram.

Her DMs had lit up my phone, all hearts and giggles, until Caleb showed up. Now I might as well have been invisible.

Aside from being taller than me and playing basketball a bit better, what does he have that they all like?

I ticked off the list in my head: height, game, and maybe the mysterious aura. Was that all it took to win over the campus crowd?

Now she's running over under the blazing sun to see him, and he still acts all aloof.

Sweat beading on her brow, and he's cooler than a fridge. I wanted to groan.

He really doesn't know how lucky he is!

The redder the campus queen's face got, the more my heart ached.

It wasn't jealousy exactly — more like the sting of always being second best, watching someone else snag the attention I thought was mine.

Right now, I just wanted to go wild and put this guy in his place.

Caleb's distant attitude made the girl nervous.

She raised a pretty layered box, stammering as she spoke.

"Th-this is something I made myself, I—"

Her hands trembled, voice squeaking. It was probably one of those TikTok bento boxes everyone was obsessed with lately.

"Let me speak first!!"

I suddenly jumped between them, plopped down by the tray line and started pounding my chest.

"I've had enough of hiding!"

My voice echoed off the brick and glass. Somewhere beyond the Chick-fil-A kiosk, the soda fountain fizzed and someone crunched ice.

"You were sweet-talking me last night, and now you're with another 'good girl'?"

"What, my flexibility didn't make the cut? Legs not long enough?"

"Babe—hello? Say something!"

The previously noisy crowd instantly went silent.

The hum of lunchtime faded, replaced by a hush. Even the janitor paused, mop dangling midair.

Countless burning gazes focused on me and Caleb.

I felt the heat of every stare. Some were scandalized, some thrilled, and some already aiming for Insta Stories, Yik Yak, and GroupMe.

The campus queen's eyes were wide as saucers.

Her jaw dropped, clutching her box tighter. You'd think I'd confessed to a felony.

"You...you two actually...!"

"Yes, I'm with him, just like you think."

I pinched my voice, imitating a viral TikTok clip, and flashed a triumphant smile.

I even threw in a little shoulder shimmy, just to make it extra theatrical.

To make sure everyone got the wrong idea, I pinched his arm again.

I squeezed his bicep, acting like the most possessive boyfriend on campus.

"Babe, tell them: are you picking her or comforting me?"

"Marcus. Evans."

A cold voice crashed down on my head—and the kids at the nearest table actually went quiet, Lin's eyes going cartoon-wide.

I looked up and Caleb's face was terrifyingly tense.

His jaw was clenched so hard you could see the muscle twitch, eyes dark as thunderclouds.

2

When Caleb doesn't smile, his pressure is intense.

You could almost feel the air thicken around him, like a storm brewing.

Out of caution, I instinctively clenched my fists.

Every nerve in my body was on high alert, ready to duck or dodge if he swung.

Thinking about fighting him here, it'd be ugly.

The image flashed in my mind: cafeteria trays flying, someone yelling “Barstool!” and Snapchatting it, my reputation nuked.

I turned to run, but he suddenly grabbed me.

His grip was strong, almost gentle, but there was no getting away.

I thought he was going to hit me, so I quickly resisted.

My muscles tensed, feet sliding like a wrestler in the ring.

But he just grabbed my wrist, bent down, and kissed me hard on the lips.

The whole world seemed to freeze. His lips pressed against mine, the shock and softness making my mind go blank for a second. His thumb didn’t leave my pulse point; I swear he held his breath.

The soft sensation ended instantly.

Caleb slowly let go, staring into my eyes with a husky voice.

His eyes searched mine, his breath warm, voice dropping even lower.

"Knock it off—your guy’s right here."

I was struck dumb, completely speechless.

I swear, I must've looked like someone unplugged my brain. Mouth open, words gone, just... stunned.

Wait, why isn't this guy following the script?

I'd expected a fight, not a first kiss. This was not the American college drama I signed up for.

I was ready to fight him, and he just kissed me?

The confusion hit so hard I couldn't even process the crowd's reaction.

Damn, that was my first kiss!

My lips tingled, heart pounding like I'd just sprinted the final lap at state.

The crowd instantly erupted in screams.

A girl shrieked, and a bunch of guys started whooping. Phones came out, someone yelled "Worldstar!" and another shouted "Barstool’s gonna eat this up!"

"Ahhh, the campus heartthrob and the campus bad boy are gay? You'd never guess!"

"No wonder every time a girl confesses to Caleb, he never accepts—turns out he doesn't like girls!"

"Damn, this is too intense, not for kids under seventeen to see."

"I shouldn't be here, I should be under the bleachers."

"Wait, Marcus calls Caleb 'babe,' so is he the bottom?"

The two girls closest exchanged glances, their cheekbones rising in unison.

They started laughing, slapping each other, filming me like I was a TikTok star—while someone else whispered, "Honestly? Kinda cute."

Wait.

I just wanted to embarrass him, not dig a hole for myself!

I felt my cheeks go even hotter, wishing I could crawl into my backpack.

His move was even nastier than mine!

Hearing their increasingly outrageous comments,

I shoved Caleb hard and bolted in a panic.

I didn't look back, ducking through the side door like a linebacker dodging a tackle.