unrecognizable
Theo Greene is the kind of person everyone on campus seems to know—and like. A sophomore theater major with a passion for helping others and dancing, Theo lives his life with an open heart and an open mind. Whether it’s helping his classmates rehearse lines, offering snacks during late-night study sessions, or smiling at strangers in the dining hall, Theo believes that kindness is its own kind of magic.
But his optimism is put to the test when Caleb Rivera walks into his life—or rather, into their shared dorm room. Caleb, a junior, who for some reason is still living on campus and is getting paired with Sophomores for dorms, is a chemical engineering major and the university’s star soccer player, is Theo's polar opposite in every way. Known for his smoldering (tangled getting to me bro) good looks, sharp jawline, and piercing gaze, Caleb is as popular as he is unapproachable. He keeps most people at arm’s length, speaking only when necessary and letting his reputation do the talking. Rumors swirl about his cold demeanor—some say he’s arrogant, others claim he’s a serial killer. The truth? Caleb just doesn’t care enough to correct them, he's just a chill guy.
Theo quickly discovers that Caleb’s standoffishness isn’t limited to strangers. Caleb ignores him whenever possible, leaving their dorm in chaos, coming and going without explanation, and offering little more than gruff one-word responses to Theo's friendly gestures. It’s a frustrating dynamic, especially for someone like Theo, who is just trying to be nice.
The only time Caleb shows a hint of warmth is when he’s with his two younger brothers, Jake and Lucas, one of a freshman and the other a sophomore and one of Theo's good friends. Theo watches with curiosity and envy as Caleb transforms around them—his sharp edges softening, his rare smile breaking through the facade. It’s clear he loves his brothers fiercely, even if he keeps the rest of the world at bay.
Determined to crack the mystery of Caleb Rivera, Theo starts to notice things that don’t add up. The way Caleb’s eyes linger when he thinks no one’s looking. The rare moments of quiet vulnerability, like when Caleb flips through an old, well-worn journal or stares out the window, lost in thought. And then there’s the night Theo overhears Caleb defending him to a group of students mocking his kindness.
That moment changes everything.
Theo's curiosity turns into something deeper—an unshakable desire to understand Caleb, to figure out why he’s built such high walls around himself. Despite Caleb’s icy demeanor, Theo refuses to give up. He starts leaving small acts of kindness for Caleb to stumble upon: a cup of coffee on a stressful morning, ironing his shirts, or a note of encouragement slipped into one of Caleb’s textbooks. At first, Caleb brushes them off, but slowly, begrudgingly, he starts to let his guard down.
What starts as awkward exchanges about soccer games and theater projects evolves into something deeper—confessions of childhood dreams, fears, and the weight of expectations. Theo learns that Caleb’s coldness isn’t born of arrogance but of pain—an armor forged by betrayal and heartbreak. Caleb, in turn, discovers that Theo's kindness is not a naïve veneer but a choice—a strength rooted in his own battles with loneliness and rejection.
As their connection grows, so do the challenges they face. Caleb’s popularity puts them under the microscope of campus gossip, and misunderstandings threaten to drive a wedge between them. Theo struggles with his own insecurities, wondering if he can ever be enough for someone like Caleb, while Caleb wrestles with the fear of letting someone in only to lose them.
Through it all, Theo finds himself falling for the boy who once seemed incapable of love, and Caleb discovers that maybe he doesn’t hate everyone after all. This is unrecognizable by yours truly.
