I grabbed my room key from the front desk and headed toward the classroom where my best friend said he'd meet me once I had the room number. I leaned against the door and waited, scrolling aimlessly through my phone.
A buzz in my pocket snapped me out of it. A text from Alec.
"Sorry bro, got caught up talking to the lady at the front desk. Got the room number—I'll just meet you there."
That jackass.
I huffed and turned back down the hallway, hands stuffed into my pockets. As I walked, I was trying to remember whether I had Chemistry on Mondays or Tuesdays when—
Bam.
I crashed straight into someone, and we both went down.
Great. First day at college and I'm already building a list of people who'll hate me.
Her phone skidded across the floor. I reached out to pick it up—just as she did. Our fingers brushed.
And then I looked up.
She knelt in front of me, mirroring my posture. A girl about my age. She wore jeans and a simple white tee under a soft brown cardigan, with ankle boots to complete the look. Her light brown hair was tied up in a messy bun, and delicate round glasses framed a pair of ocean-blue eyes.
She was—hands down—the most beautiful girl I'd ever seen.
I held out her phone, trying to form a coherent sentence."Sorry, I, uh... wasn't paying attention," I said, still lost in her gaze.
"N-no, i-it's okay... I wasn't either," she stammered, clearly just as flustered. Her lips parted slightly as she stared back.
I smiled and extended my hand. "I'm Gabriel."
"I'm... Broba," she replied, shaking my hand gently.
Broba.That name hit me like a wave. Odd, unforgettable, and now—entirely hers.
We stayed like that for a moment, holding hands, not saying a word. Then she pulled away and glanced off to the side.
"I should go. My friend's probably waiting for me," she mumbled.
A small pang of disappointment hit me, but I nodded. "Yeah, I should get going too. I... I'll see you around then."
"Y-yeah. Sure." She smiled shyly and waved—adorably awkward.
"Bye," I said, watching her disappear down the hall.
I let out a breath I didn't realize I'd been holding.Who is she?I mean, I knew her name now. But who was she? I hoped I'd see her again—and soon.
I made my way up to the fourth floor and found our room. The key clicked in the lock, and the door swung open to reveal Alec lounging on the left bed, eyes glued to his phone.
"There you are! Took you long enough," he said, not even looking up.
"Gee, wonder why. Maybe because a certain someone promised to meet me somewhere and bailed?" I shot back. "And seriously—flirting with the front desk lady? She's, like, fifty."
He rolled his eyes. "Dude, she was just asking where I was from. Chill."
I dropped my bag on the right bed. "Whatever. Anyway... met anyone here yet?"
He scratched the back of his neck. "Not really. But... I do know someone who's here."
My brows shot up. "Wait—is it that girl you wouldn't shut up about during the plane ride? The one from high school?"
Alec's face lit up. "Yeah, her. I texted her to hang out later. First time I've seen her in three months, man. What if I screw it up?"
He ran a hand through his hair like he was about to combust.
"Whoa, calm down. You guys were friends, right?" He nodded. "So if she liked hanging out with a loser like you before, what's changed?"
He glared. "Wow. Thanks, bestie."
I smirked. "Anytime."
His eyes narrowed. "Okay, your turn. You met anyone?"
I rubbed the back of my neck. "Uh… no. Not really."
He squinted at me. "Gabriel. I've known you for two years. Don't lie. Who is she?"
"I don't know what you're talking about."
He crossed his arms. "Dude."
I groaned. "Fine." And just like that, I told him everything about the girl I'd just met.
"Broba?" he echoed, grinning. "Seriously?"
I scowled. "Watch it. Don't make fun of her name."
He held up his hands. "Hey, relax. I'm already in love with someone, remember?"
My eyebrows shot up. "Wait—you love her?"
He looked down. "Yeah, man. She's amazing."
After a beat, he perked up. "Which brings me to a favor…"
I narrowed my eyes. "Oh no."
"So I told her she could bring a friend... and that my best friend would be joining us."
I groaned and buried my face in my hands. "Dude, why?"
"Come on! It'll be chill. Maybe you and her friend will hit it off."
I sighed. "Fine. But I'm only doing this because unpacking sucks."
He grinned. "You won't regret it, grumpy pants."
He grabbed my arm and dragged me out of the room.
I wasn't sure what this hangout would bring. But part of me—some wildly optimistic part—hoped I'd run into Broba again.