Giulietta was buzzing with excitement as she stepped off the bus.
Living off-campus had been a practical choice; dorm life was too expensive, and every penny of her scholarship was spoken for. She adjusted the strap of her bag and gazed around, taking in the sprawling campus. As an art major in music, her dream of becoming the next Debussy felt closer than ever.
Navigating the maze of buildings was a challenge, but her enthusiasm carried her forward. She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't see the person in front of her until she collided with him.
The impact was harder than she expected, and she fell forward, landing awkwardly on his chest.
Giulietta gasped, scrambling to her feet. "I'm so sorry! I can be clumsy sometimes," she blurted, brushing herself off.
The man gave her a faint smile, but before he could respond, a shrill voice cut through the air.
"Clumsy enough to trip over my boyfriend?"
Giulietta looked up to see a woman with glossy extensions that likely cost more than her entire tuition. The woman's glare could have burned a hole through her.
"I really didn't mean to—" Giulietta began, her voice calm but nervous.
"Save it," the woman snapped, pulling out her phone. "Oh, don't worry, sweetheart. I'll show you an accident."
Before Giulietta could process what was happening, the woman began live-streaming. "Hey, everyone, look at this man-stealing tramp!"
Panic flooded Giulietta as she instinctively tried to shield her face. This couldn't be happening. She had barely started her first day, and now this?
The situation worsened when the guy she'd collided with took off his sweater and handed it to Giulietta, shielding her from the camera. "God, you're such a drama queen, Gemma," he snapped.
Gemma's face turned red with rage. "Excuse me? You're taking her side?"
"Yeah, I am!" he shot back, his voice filled with exasperation. "For the record, you're my ex, Gemma. EX!"
Giulietta cringed, wishing she could disappear. All eyes seemed to be on them now.
"You're choosing that ugly nobody over me?" Gemma shrieked, her voice echoing across the campus quad.
He ignored her completely, grabbing Giulietta's hand and pulling her away from the crowd. "Come on," he said, his tone softer now.
They entered the lecture hall, and Giulietta couldn't help but stare down at her hand, still clasped in his. This wasn't what she had planned for her first day.
"Uh... thanks, I guess," she mumbled, unsure of what else to say.
"No problem," he replied, releasing her hand with a small smile. "Gemma's been looking for a fight all morning."
Giulietta groaned quietly, sinking into a seat near the back. So much for fitting in quietly.