"Ahhhh, I can't believe I'm this late for my first day of college!" I groaned, frantically shoving things into my bag while hunting for my car keys. "Can this day get any better? Seriously, for the love of all things holy."
After what felt like forever searching my apartment, I finally found the keys chilling in the bathroom where I apparently abandoned them yesterday. Great start.
I rushed to campus, already dreading my entrance. "Late to Professor Jeremy's lecture. Oh, what a beautiful day," I muttered, laying on the sarcasm thick.
Just then, I heard a voice behind me. "Wow, someone's bringing all the personality today, huh?"
I turned around, and of course, it was Levi. Because why wouldn't my ex-situationship make an appearance on this glorious day?
"Levi," I sighed, "this disaster of a day just wouldn't be complete without you."
Levi smirked, leaning casually against the doorframe. "Missed me already, huh?"
I rolled my eyes, shoving past him. "In your dreams, Levi."
As I power-walked down the hall, clutching my bag like it contained the secrets to the universe, I could feel his gaze on me. Classic Levi always enjoying my misery.
I finally made it to the lecture hall, only to find it packed with students. Perfect. I slipped into the back row, hoping to go unnoticed. But of course, Professor Jeremy had other plans.
"Ah, Miss Faith. Nice of you to join us," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. The whole class turned to look at me, and I wanted to disappear into the floor.
After what felt like the longest lecture of my life, I hurried out, determined to make it through the rest of the day without any more disasters. But the universe had other ideas.
As I rounded the corner, juggling my phone, coffee, and a stack of books, I collided hard into someone. My coffee went flying, and my heart sank as I braced for impact.
The books hit the ground, and so did my dignity. I looked up, ready to apologize profusely, but the words caught in my throat. Standing before me was him tall, cold, and with the kind of face that made your knees weak.
His icy gaze locked onto mine, and for a moment, the world seemed to stand still. His jaw was clenched, and he didn't say a word, just stared down at me like I was the most annoying thing he'd encountered all day.
"Watch where you're going," he finally said, his voice as cold as his expression.
I opened my mouth to speak, but no sound came out. Great. Just great. My clumsy first impression on the hottest, most intimidating guy on campus.
Before I could gather my thoughts, he turned and walked away, leaving me frozen in place, heart pounding and cheeks burning.
And that's when I realized this wasn't just any guy. This was him. The mysterious, untouchable guy everyone whispered about. And I'd just spilled coffee on his perfectly tailored jacket.
What a day.
I stood there for a moment, completely stunned. My brain was scrambling to process what just happened. Did I really just bump into him? The guy everyone on campus was either terrified of, obsessed with, or both?
As I bent down to pick up my books, I could feel the stares of people around me. Whispers started to fill the hallway, but I tuned them out, too focused on my own internal screaming.
Okay, Faith. Breathe. It's fine. He probably won't even remember you... right?
Clutching my now-coffee-stained notes, I straightened up and tried to collect myself. The rest of the day was a blur. My mind kept replaying the encounter, every icy word, every piercing look. I couldn't shake it.
By the time my last class ended, I was exhausted. All I wanted to do was get home, crawl into bed, and pretend this day never happened. As I walked through the now-empty corridors, my phone buzzed. It was a message from Levi.
Levi: "You good? Heard you had a little run-in with the ice king himself. Wanna talk about it?"
Ugh. News travels fast around here.
I shoved my phone back into my pocket, deciding to deal with Levi later. I was almost at the exit when I heard footsteps behind me. Turning around, I saw him again. The cold, brooding guy from earlier.
His eyes met mine, and for a second, something flickered in his gaze. Was it recognition? Annoyance? I couldn't tell.
"Hey," he said, stopping a few feet away from me. His voice was still cold, but there was something else there now a hint of curiosity?
"Uh, hi," I stammered, clutching my bag tightly.
He looked at me for a long moment before speaking again. "You dropped this."
He held out a small notebook. My notebook. The one I didn't even realize I had lost in the chaos.
"Thanks," I muttered, taking it from his hand, my fingers brushing against his for a split second. His touch was cool, but it sent a strange warmth through me.
He didn't say anything else, just gave a small nod and walked away, leaving me standing there with my heart pounding.
As he disappeared down the hall, I opened the notebook, my mind still spinning. But then I saw it a small note scrawled on the inside cover in unfamiliar handwriting.
"You owe me new clothes"
I stared at the note, my heart racing again. What did this mean? Was this his way of teasing me? Or was it something else?
One thing was clear this wasn't the last I'd see of him. And something told me my life was about to get a whole lot more complicated.