It's a bright, beautiful day on the campus as the sun casts a soft warmth, but the breeze tugs playfully at my hair as I walk beside Sloane down the tree-lined pathway toward the quad. The freshman mixer was already buzzing ahead of us, filled with unfamiliar faces and way too much forced enthusiasm.
"Remind me again why we're doing this?" I asked, adjusting my sunglasses as we passed a group handing out bright blue flyers about the sailing club.
"Because freshman orientation is basically the Hunger Games of social life," Sloane said, grinning. "And we need allies."
"I thought I had you?"
"You do," she replied, looping her arm through mine. "But you're not going to hide behind me all year, Kim. You're not invisible anymore. People are going to notice you."
I laughed under my breath. "People have already noticed me. Some a little too closely."
"Right, Adrian." She wiggled her brows, and I gave her a playful shove. "Okay, okay, I'll behave... for now."
We turned toward a booth offering cold drinks and free T-shirts, maneuvering through the growing crowd of first years. I wasn't really paying attention when someone stepped backward into my path. A solid shoulder collided with mine.
"Oh, sorry!" I exclaimed instinctively, stumbling a step before catching my balance.
The guy turned instantly. "No, that's my fault. Are you okay?"
Our eyes met for half a second. He was tall, lean but broad-shouldered, with sharp cheekbones and a calm confidence behind his pale blue eyes. His dark hair curled slightly at the ends, just enough to look effortlessly cool, like he'd just walked off the cover of a fashion ad.
I nodded quickly, offering a polite smile. "Yeah, I'm fine. Don't worry."
I kept walking, brushing it off, already distracted by the sight of a coffee stand nearby. But I felt him pause behind me, like he was still watching.
"Friend of yours?" Sloane asked teasingly.
"Never seen him before," I said with a shrug. "Just a clumsy stranger."
The freshman mixer was in full swing now. Music thumped low through the lawn speakers, and students milled between the club booths, oversized lawn games, and hydration stations like it was a campus carnival. I had just grabbed a cold bottle of water and flopped onto the edge of a shady stone planter when a shadow fell over me.
"You sure you're okay from earlier?"
I glanced up.
It was him, the guy I bumped into a few moments ago. This time he wasn't rushing off. He stood with one hand causally in his pocket, the other resting on the strap of a sleek leather backpack. His smile was easy, self-assured, like he was used to being looked at.
"I'm fine," I said, a little startled. "Really. No bruises."
He let out a short laugh. "Good. I figured I'd at least come say hi properly. I'm Alexander. Alexander Vaughn."
I blinked. His name sounded familiar, but I couldn't place why.
"I'm Kimberly Ashford, but call me Kim," I said cautiously. "Nice to meet you."
"Kim," he repeated, like he was trying it for size. "So, are you new to St. Bellamy's?"
"Yeah. Freshman," I replied. "You?"
He grinned, showing perfect teeth. "Same. Though technically, my dad wanted me to go to Stanford, but I needed a break from legacy pressure. Thought I'd try something... unexpected."
I tilted my head, vaguely amused. "You picked a college with a five-year waitlist as your 'unexpected' choice?"
He laughed again. "Fair enough."
Sloane was watching from a few feet away, her brows high and her smirk growing. I gave her a subtle glare that said Don't start.
Alexander shifted his weight, his tone turning a little softer. "Anyway, sorry for crashing into you. I guess I didn't want that to be the only impression I made."
I smiled faintly, polite. "You're forgiven."
"Cool," he said, glancing around. "Maybe I'll see you around again."
"Maybe."
But the truth was, my mind had already wandered. A glance at my phone told me it was almost time cause Adrian had said he'd stop by later today. That's what I was waiting for. Not small talk with a cute stranger.
Still, as Alexander turned to walk away, something flickered in the air. His posture or the way he glanced back once, like he wasn't ready to be dismissed just yet.
Sloane slid in next to me as soon as he was out of earshot.
"Okay," she said slowly. "That guy was like, hot hot. You good"
"You didn't even see his face. You were like behind him or something," I said, unscrewing my water bottle. "But yeah, he's nice."
"That's it? Nice?"
I shrugged. "I'm just... distracted."
Sloane narrowed her eyes. "Mm-hmm. Distracted by someone who hasn't texted you today?"
I didn't answer.
** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **
We were back in our dorms after a fun time at the freshman mixer. I'd barely kicked off my sneakers when there was a knock at the door.
My heart did this annoying skip, like it had been counting down to this exact second.
Sloane peeked at me from her side of the room, brow raised. "Don't tell me that's Adrian."
I just smiled. It was enough for an answer.
She sighed, already reaching for her tote bag. "Say no more. I'll grab some snacks and be gone for a while."
"You don't have to," I started, but she was already at the door.
"Kim," she said, giving me that friend look that said I'm trying not to judge you... yet. "Just don't be stupid, okay?"
I gave her a faint smile. "No promises."
As soon as she stepped out, I opened the door fully. And there he was. Adrian Thorne. His hair slightly tousled, lips curved into the barest smirk.
God, I had missed him.
"Hey," I breathed.
"Hey," he said, his voice low and rougher than usual. "You're back early."
"You thought I wouldn't be?"
"I don't know what I thought," he admitted, stepping inside. "But walking into this room now feels heavenly. I love it here. I love being with you. But I can't help the feeling that this is a line I shouldn't be crossing."
He stopped in front of me, not touching me but just looking.
My stomach twisted. "Then why did you come?"
"Because I can't stop thinking about you, Kim," he said.
Everywhere became silent. It was as if time froze and we were the only ones conscious enough to know about it.
"I'm glad you made it, though," I murmured. "I was lonely without you."
"I'm sorry, princess. I had to wait till after the freshmen mixer," he said. "I didn't want anyone seeing me there... with you. Plus, Gen is still uptight about last time."
"But you're here right now, and that's all that matters."
He came closer, so close that I could feel the heat of his body, and still, he didn't touch me. I couldn't tell if he was waiting for something. Permission or restraint. But I couldn't wait for him to make a move, so I stepped toward him first.
"I shouldn't be wanting this," I whispered.
"I know."
"You're my sister's boyfriend."
He flinched. "I know that, too."
"But I can't help this feeling. I want you to—"
"You want me to what, Kim?"
That was the moment. That tiny spark of truth that burned too brightly to ignore, because yes, I feel nothing but the desire to be torn apart and made loose by him and only him. I felt it in my skin, in the aching pull between us, and in the way he looked at me like I was the only thing that existed.
He reached up, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. "Say something."
I didn't respond, I just kissed him.
It was slow at first, but then it deepened. His hands found my waist, drawing me closer until there was no space left between us. My arms curled around his neck, fingers twisting in his shirt as we both gave in.
When he pulled away, we were both breathless. I was confused at first because I knew we were both enjoying the moment, and that's when I saw it. A massive bulge in his pants. His d*ck was hard, and my goodness, did I drool.
"I should go," he said, though he didn't move.
"Don't go," I whispered. "Please, don't go."
He looked at me, and as I stared back, the only thing I could read in his eyes was fiery passion. He was holding himself back from f*ck*ng me right here and now.
"I have to go, Kim," he smirked. "Not yet, okay. You'll have me soon. Just not yet."
He leaned in and kissed my forehead. And when the door clicked shut behind him, all I could do was press my face on my pillow. Screaming, wondering how long I could survive being this close to everything I want and not having it.