Boy's dormitory
Evan broke the silence. "You done?"
Nathan frowned. "Huh?"
"Talking," Evan said, not even raising his voice.
Nathan's jaw clenched. "Don't get all smug."
Evan stood up, steady as ever. "I'm not."
Nathan just got more irritated.
He clicked his tongue. "You always act like you're above everyone."
Evan stopped by his bed. "Never said that."
Nathan stared at him, searching for something clever to say, but his mind felt blank—just his pride getting in the way.
"Whatever," he muttered. "Don't forget who you are."
Evan stretched out on his bed. "Goodnight."
Nathan lingered, awkward and annoyed, before shuffling out.
Ryan let out a breath. "Man… that guy drains the life out of a room."
Jack just shook his head. "He talks like the world owes him something."
Evan shut his eyes. Nathan was pure noise. Loud, pointless, and honestly, easy to tune out.
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Girl's dormitory
Emily sat on her dorm bed, legs swinging, still clutching her phone even though the call had ended a while ago. The screen was black, but her thoughts were all over the place.
"Apartment…" she whispered, then let out a soft laugh. "My boyfriend has an apartment." She flopped back, staring up at the ceiling, her heart thumping like she'd just run a sprint. That whole video call kept playing in her mind—the place, the massive windows, the city lights spilling in behind Evan, like he actually belonged there.
And the wildest part? He'd just said it. Like it was no big deal.
She rolled over and hugged her pillow, grinning in spite of herself. Evan had always been like this—quiet, chill, never the type to brag. Other guys would've posted about it everywhere, but he just sat on this giant secret and never said a word.
That thought made her chest go warm. She felt proud. And, honestly, kind of giddy.
She drummed her fingers on the mattress, picturing herself walking into that apartment, teasing him about how empty it probably was, pressing her face to those windows, taking in the city from his place.
Our place, that sneaky little voice in her head whispered.
She shot upright, brushing her hair back. "I'm definitely going," she said out loud, like she had to make it official.
She dropped back again, eyes shining, excitement fizzing through her. Soon, she thought. I'm going to see it myself. And this time.
Right then, her dorm door creaked open.
"So," her roommate Rose called, grinning wide, "when's the party?"
Emily groaned. "Don't start."
"You started it," her roommate shot back. "You literally said it. boyfriend, party incoming."
Emily flopped onto her back. "Yeah, yeah. I remember."
"Good," Rose roommate said, all smug. "Just making sure."
The door thudded shut.
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University playground
The campus was still half asleep when Evan and Emily hit the jogging track. The air was chilly, footsteps echoing in the quiet, with just a hum somewhere off in the distance.
Emily matched his pace, breathing easy, glancing over at him with a smirk.
"Still running like you're trying to win something," she teased.
Evan grinned. "You're the one who dragged me out here."
Emily rolled her eyes. "I didn't think you'd actually make me work for it."
He laughed, low and soft. "You're keeping up."
They jogged past the empty field, grass glittering with dew.
Her phone buzzed in her pocket, but she ignored it.
A few minutes slid by before Emily spoke again. "About the party…"
Evan glanced over. "Yeah?"
She slowed just a bit, careful not to trip over her own feet. "My roommate's already acting like it's the event of the year."
He nodded. "After class. I'll be there."
Emily smiled, eyes bright. "Good."
They picked up the pace again, looping the track until they were both sweaty and out of breath.
Emily wiped her face, still grinning. "So… what now?"
Evan stretched. "Class."
She groaned. "Ugh."
He smiled at her. "And then I pick you up."
Her heart did a little skip. "Don't forget."
He shook his head. "I won't."
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Classroom
The lecture dragged on way past what anyone had signed up for. The professor just kept going, like time was something he could teach if he talked long enough. The classroom felt heavy, everyone weighed down by boredom and the quiet sound of people closing their notebooks.
When the bell finally rang, nobody jumped up. Most students just sat there, maybe a little stunned by the sudden freedom. You could feel the hesitation in the air, like everyone had forgotten how to move.
Evan pulled out his phone, thumbed a quick message to Emily:
"Class ended. I'm heading to the car now. I'll pick you up at the girls' dorm."
Emily replied right away.
"Okay. Drive safely."
----------
Girl's dormitory
Everyone was already in the dorm—Emily, Isabella, Rose, and Jasmine. They all knew Evan was taking them out for dinner tonight. It had kind of become their little tradition, and since classes were light that afternoon, everyone just hung around, waiting.
"Emily, when are we leaving?" Rose called out from under her blanket, giving Emily a mischievous look. "I'm starving."
Emily peeked up from her bed and smiled. "Not long now. Evan's class wraps up in about ten minutes. We'll head out right after."
Jasmine, sprawled on her bed with her phone, immediately set it aside and looked over at Emily.
Isabella didn't budge. She kept her eyes glued to her laptop, still buried in English assignment.
Rose grinned. "You just toss around 'boyfriend' like it's nothing now."
Emily just shrugged. No reason to be shy. Evan was her boyfriend, so what was there to hide?
"All right, let's get ready," she said, hopping off her bed. "We'll go soon."
She ducked into the bathroom to shower and change. Even now, she wanted to look good for Evan. If she was going to be his girl, she wanted to be the best version of herself—simple as that.
"Don't worry, Emily. I'm up," Rose said, launching out of bed as soon as food was mentioned.
Jasmine sat up too, eyes bright, ready to move.
Isabella, meanwhile, didn't budge. She was locked in with her assignment.
Rose came over and tapped Isabella's shoulder. "Hey, not getting dressed? No makeup? We're going out with Emily's boyfriend, you know."
She touched Isabella's arm again, kind of jealous—Isabella's skin was perfect, cool and smooth even without a drop of makeup.
Isabella barely looked up. "What's the point? I'll change later." She didn't see why she should bother getting dressed up just to meet Emily's boyfriend.
Rose laughed. "Honestly, you still look amazing without it."
Isabella just glanced at her, then went right back to her screen.
Rose shrugged, turning to her own desk. "Well, I'm definitely putting on a bit of makeup. Can't let Emily down. Besides, who knows? Maybe tonight I'll meet someone interesting."
She started on her makeup, casual but confident. For Rose, getting ready wasn't just about looking good. It always felt like a chance—an opportunity.
Isabella stayed quiet, eyes on her laptop, sunlight catching her face and giving her that soft, almost unreal glow. She looked like she'd stepped out of a painting. And honestly, under those pajamas, she had a figure you'd never expect, especially from someone who seemed so distant.
Meanwhile, Jasmine got to her desk and started on her makeup, even faster than Rose. She knew what she was doing—her hands moved with the kind of skill you only get from watching endless beauty tutorials.
As she worked, Jasmine glanced from Rose to Isabella, then over to the bathroom where Emily was still getting ready. She pressed her lips together, thinking.
Rose was cute, sure, but not exactly stunning. If everyone looked like Rose, Jasmine would be the prettiest in the dorm—easy. But that wasn't how things were.
Jasmine sighed, almost rolling her eyes. She looked at Isabella, then at Emily.
Almost twenty minutes later, Emily finally stepped out of the bathroom. Her hair looked freshly dried, but the ends still clung to her neck, just a little damp. Somehow, the whole room felt lighter the second she walked in, like she'd changed the air just by being there.
Rose had already finished her makeup. She wasn't what you'd call classic beauty, but there was something about her—soft, open, the kind of cute that made people want to talk to her.
"Emily," Rose said, her eyes going bright. "You look amazing after a shower."
Emily grinned, still drying her hands on a towel. "Thanks."
Rose: "Unfair. Seriously."
Emily pinched her cheek. "You're such a drama queen."
Rose huffed, but she didn't stop smiling.
Then she spotted Jasmine.
She looked incredible.
Not flashy, not overdone—just clean, polished, effortless. She wore a simple white dress that fit her like it was made for her. Her makeup was on point, every detail perfect. Honestly, she looked like she belonged in a magazine.
Rose's eyes went wide. Jasmine obviously wasn't messing around with this dinner.
But Rose didn't give it much thought.
Jasmine sat at her desk, checking herself in the mirror, looking pleased.
Her makeup really did something—she'd gone from an eight to a solid nine, easy.
Jasmine caught Emily's eye and flashed a confident smile.
Then that smile froze.
Emily hadn't even put on any makeup yet—and she still looked incredible.
Jasmine hated to admit it, but she saw it. Even with all her effort, she couldn't quite reach Emily's natural beauty.
Her face flickered for just a second, then she looked away, jaw tight.
She clenched her fist under the table, took a breath, tried to calm down. It felt like losing some secret competition.
Emily, completely unaware, finished her makeup fast, then walked to the wardrobe. She picked out a plain white short-sleeved top, a black pleated skirt, high-waisted white socks, and white sneakers.
The whole look was fresh, easy, almost careless—but it worked. Her long legs stood out, and she glowed, like she didn't even have to try.
Jasmine couldn't help glancing back again.
Then she forced herself to look away.
Different people, different styles.
Still, the thought crept in—What if Evan likes her type more?
And weirdly, that idea brought Jasmine a little comfort.
She was determined. Tonight, she had to win.