Timer: 36:03:07 — Project ICE, Phase 2 Activated
The campus felt off. Like someone had cracked the air open and replaced it with tension. Blick felt the change the moment he stepped onto the sunlit college grounds. Something unseen crawled beneath every whisper, every stolen glance.
His notifications were blowing up. The moment he unlocked his phone, it buzzed relentlessly.
> 🔥 Hot Campus King or Heartbreaker? Trending on MeBuzz!
💬 "I saw him with TWO girls yesterday!"
📸 "Those abs got every girl messed up."
He blinked, then laughed dryly.
Just then, a familiar voice rang out.
"Blick!"
Kiara jogged toward him in a lilac hoodie and ripped denim shorts. Her curves bounced with every step, and her face was a mix of cuteness and pure fire.
"What's this?" she asked, shoving her phone in his face. It showed a message:
> "Your guy is everyone's guy 😉. Better tie him up before someone else does."
Blick raised a brow. "Jealousy this early in the day? That's new."
Kiara narrowed her eyes. "I'm not jealous, I'm… curious. You know, curious about why some girl named Cherry 🍒 sent you this." She pulled up his message thread:
> "Hey Blick, need help with anatomy? I'm great with body parts 😘"
Blick did a double-take. "I didn't even reply! I swear!"
Kiara huffed. "She's from the debate club. Big lips, triple-D boobs, and always licking her lollipop like it's a performance."
"You've been watching her that closely?" he teased.
"Shut up."
They both burst out laughing.
But the moment was ruined when Tanya and Ravi ran over, their faces pale.
"Guys, someone just posted this on MeBuzz." Tanya handed over her phone. The post was titled:
> "Hot Campus King's Double Life – Cheater or Charmer?"
The post had blurry pictures—Blick with Aaliya, Blick with Kiara, all edited and stitched together to make him look like he was two-timing both.
The comment section was a mess.
> "This is why abs aren't everything."
"Kiara deserves better!"
"Aaliya & Kiara should dump him. Campus Casanova vibes."
Kiara clenched her jaw. Blick's face went rigid.
"This is so fake," Kiara muttered. "I was there with you the entire time."
"Someone's got a personal vendetta," Blick said. "And tech skills."
---
Cut to: The Girls' Hostel
Meera sat cross-legged on her bed, twirling her hair. Her laptop screen glowed. Her lips curled into a smirk.
"Let's see how you handle this next one, Blick," she whispered. "This is just the beginning of Project ICE."
---
Back on Campus: Trouble Brews
Later that day, Blick was walking alone near the library garden when he felt it: eyes on him. He turned.
A group of boys loitered under the tree—Danny's old rivals. These were the kinds of guys who fought just to feel something.
"Yo, Mr. Prettyboy," one called. "Heard you've been breaking hearts and noses."
Blick ignored them.
Another stepped in front. "Hey, I'm talking to you."
"I don't speak loser," Blick said casually.
The first punch hit him on the jaw. He staggered, spat blood—and then grinned.
"Now this I understand."
He ducked under the next swing and delivered a clean uppercut that sent the guy crashing into a bench. Another charged him—Blick swept his leg and slammed him onto the ground with a sharp knee to the gut. He grabbed a third by the hoodie, spun him, and shoved him into a tree.
It wasn't a fight. It was a statement.
But there were too many.
One grabbed him from behind while another aimed for his ribs.
Blick grunted in pain, dropping to one knee—but before another hit could land—
Danny arrived.
With a CRACK, he slammed a metal water bottle into one guy's back. The thug howled and dropped.
"Back. Off," Danny growled, eyes blazing.
More of his crew arrived. The gang froze, then slowly backed off, dragging their bleeding friends away.
Danny looked at Blick. "Now we're even."
"You saved me," Blick said, catching his breath.
"You saved me first, in the washroom brawl. Don't think I forgot."
The two nodded. Truce declared.
From behind the bushes, someone filmed it all—again.
---
Later That Evening: Jealousy in the Garden
Kiara sat under the fairy-light canopy of the garden café, sketching casually.
Then she saw it.
Blick. Laughing with another girl. She was new—Aaliya's roommate. Tall, dusky, tight tank top with a waist so small it looked photoshopped. Her hair was up in a high ponytail, exposing a long neck and perfect collarbones.
Kiara narrowed her eyes.
She opened Instagram and posted a story:
> 📸 "Focus on your own crown 👑 Not the court jesters."
With a fire emoji and a mirror selfie in her gym tights.
Seconds later, Blick replied:
> "You look like trouble."
The good kind. 😈
She smirked.
But inside, she hated how much she hated seeing him with anyone else.
--------------{the new vibe from A....}------------------------
The night rolled in slowly, wrapping the college in a soft neon glow. The DJ party from earlier echoed faintly in the background, but Blick stood atop the academic block rooftop, catching his breath. His knuckles were bruised. His shirt was torn near the collar.
But his mind was somewhere else.
Footsteps. Light ones. He turned.
Aaliya stood there, her lips glossy, eyes intense. She wore an oversized tee tucked into denim shorts, one side of her shirt slipping off the shoulder.
"You okay?" she asked, coming closer.
Blick nodded. "Been better."
She stood beside him, both leaning against the ledge, watching the city lights blink in the distance.
"Can I tell you something?" Aaliya asked, voice soft.
"Yeah?"
She looked down, then back into his eyes. "I was the one who clicked those pictures of you and Kiara. But not to hurt you."
Blick blinked. "You... what?"
"I sent them to a friend. Meera. She twisted it all. I swear, I didn't know she'd do that. I liked the way Kiara looked at you. Like you're not just some hot guy with abs."
He stared at her.
"I'm sorry," she said, genuinely.
"Why'd you send them in the first place?"
Aaliya bit her lip. "Maybe... I was jealous."
There was a long silence.
Then Blick said, "You ever feel like you're not really in control of your own story anymore?"
"All the time."
Their fingers accidentally brushed.
But Blick pulled his hand away. "You're forgiven. But this chapter's over."
Aaliya nodded, heart sinking, but she smiled. "Then end it with a hug?"
He hesitated—then hugged her.
Behind a skylight, someone clicked another picture.
---
Meanwhile: Kiara's Dilemma
Kiara sat curled up in her room, staring at her screen.
> "So your boy's already on to the next one?"
"Check MeBuzz. Looks cozy."
She opened the app and froze.
Aaliya and Blick hugging on the rooftop.
The caption read:
> "The REAL pair? Or just another lie?"
She threw her phone onto the bed. Her heart thudded in her chest.
"No. I trust him," she whispered. But even she wasn't sure if she was lying to herself.
Tanya entered, holding popcorn.
"Oh no, not this drama again."
"Shut up," Kiara said, burying her face in the pillow.
"You're in love," Tanya sang, tossing popcorn in the air. "And jealous. Classic rom-com energy."
Kiara peeked out from the pillow. "I hate it."
"But you love him."
Kiara groaned.
---
The Hackathon Hype
Next morning, the campus buzzed.
"DID YOU REGISTER?"
"THE PRIZE IS A TRIP TO DUBAI!"
"DUDE, THEY HAVE A GAMING STAGE AND LIVE CODING."
Blick walked into the main hall, now transformed into a neon-lit tech arena. LED panels pulsed with glitchy animations. A banner read:
> 🎯 THE HACKATHON X – 72 HOUR SURVIVAL MODE
"Solve. Survive. Seduce the code."
He spotted Kiara across the room, standing with Tanya, dressed in a black tee that hugged her curves and tight joggers that made guys literally walk into walls. She met his gaze.
He walked over, hesitant.
"Hey," he said.
"Hi."
"You saw it?"
"Yeah."
"It wasn't what it looked like."
"I know," she said, then paused. "But I didn't like it."
"I didn't either."
Her eyes softened. "You idiot."
He smiled. "Wanna be my hackathon partner?"
"You don't even code."
"I'll bring snacks. And look good."
Kiara burst into laughter. "Fine. But you're on water duty."
---
The Ambush: Heat, Lights, and Blood
As the night of the Hackathon set in, many students took a break, heading to the outdoor DJ setup just behind the building. The bass shook the earth. Everyone danced.
Even Danny was there, drinking soda and bobbing his head like an awkward bouncer.
Then chaos hit.
A sudden scream. A crashing chair. And the enemy returned.
Rival boys from earlier stormed into the area, led by a tattooed guy with a scar across his brow.
"You messed with us again," he growled, staring at Blick. "Time to bleed."
One shoved Danny first—hard.
Danny barely caught himself. "Touch me again—"
WHAM!
He got punched straight in the gut.
Blick dashed forward and slammed the attacker into the speakers.
Lights burst. Screams erupted. People ran.
Three boys surrounded Blick. He spun, parried a punch, then landed a knee into one's chest. The second grabbed his shirt—Blick elbowed his jaw. Blood.
Danny picked up a chair and slammed it into the third.
Together, the two stood back-to-back. "You okay?" Danny asked.
"Not dead yet," Blick panted.
Suddenly, a voice yelled.
"ENOUGH!"
Local boys—those same guys who liked Blick from Day 1—rushed in. They outnumbered the attackers.
"This guy is our friend," one shouted. "Touch him again, we'll bury you under the campus."
The enemies backed off, cursing, limping away.
People clapped. Whistles echoed.
Danny turned to Blick.
"I was wrong about you."
"I get that a lot."
They laughed.
---
Aftermath of the Ambush
The campus was shaken but alive.
Blick leaned against the DJ booth, chest heaving, his shirt slightly torn again—revealing just enough shredded abs to make three girls drop their phones. Kiara reached him, brushing dust from his shoulder, trying to look calm but clearly shaken.
"You're insane," she said, checking him for bruises.
"You're welcome," he winked.
Danny stepped in. "He saved my ass—again. Officially team Blick now."
Blick gave him a fist bump.
From the crowd, whispers followed:
> "That guy's a beast."
"And he dances?"
"I'm making him my lockscreen."
But someone else was watching—Aaliya. From the edge of the light, her eyes followed Kiara and Blick. There was no malice. Just something unsaid.
---
The Message That Froze Everything
Later that night, as Kiara and Blick finally sat together near the rooftop garden again, Kiara pulled out her phone.
A new message pinged.
Anonymous:
> "Project ICE – Phase 3 begins at midnight."
"Watch who you trust."
She froze.
"Blick…" she whispered, turning the phone to him.
He read it and narrowed his eyes.
"You've seen this before?"
She nodded. "Once. When that first viral post happened."
Suddenly, the rooftop lights flickered.
Footsteps echoed.
But no one appeared.
Just a feeling—like someone was watching from the dark.
---
The Kiss That Set the Roof on Fire
"I hate this vibe," Kiara muttered. "Why does college feel like a movie sometimes?"
"Because you're the lead actress," Blick murmured, leaning closer. "And I'm the dumb male lead who falls for her harder than he should."
Her breath hitched.
Their faces were inches apart. The city lights blurred behind them. Music from the party thudded low in the background.
"Blick…"
He brushed her cheek.
"I know you're scared. I am too. But I'd rather fight ten more gangs than lose this."
Kiara didn't speak.
She kissed him.
Fierce. Hungry. Tongue meeting tongue. Fingers grabbing his shirt. His hand slid to her waist, then to her lower back, drawing her closer until not even air existed between them.
The kiss deepened. His other hand cupped the back of her neck, holding her like she might vanish.
A camera clicked.
Again.
But neither noticed.
For them, in that moment, the war paused.
---
Cut To: Unknown Dorm Room, 12:01 AM
Meera sat at her desk, eyes glued to a laptop. A video loaded.
> "Kiss Confirmed: Kiara & Blick on the Rooftop 😘🔥"
Views: 3,103 and rising.
Her lips curled.
Next to her screen, blueprints flashed. Schematics. Something deeper. Darker.
PROJECT ICE – PHASE 3: INFLUENCE. CONTROL. EXPOSURE.
The screen glitched.
Then displayed:
> TARGET LOCKED: KIA
TARGET LOCKED: BLICK
Meera's fingers hovered over the keyboard.
"This story is about to get really spicy," she whispered.
---
Final Scene: The Calm Before Chapter 11
Back at Blick's dorm, he lay on his bed, shirtless, heart still racing.
Kiara's scent lingered on his fingers.
His phone pinged.
New Message from Unknown:
> "You've kissed the girl. Now try saving her."
"Let's see how far your abs can get you this time, lover boy."
He stared at the message.
Then smirked.
> Reply: "Bring it on."
He put the phone down.
Outside his window, a drone blinked red, hovering for a second… then disappeared into the sky.
---
⚡️ End of Chapter 10
🧨 Next Time on Hot Campus Days –
Kiara gets blackmailed with photos.
Blick receives an anonymous offer to join the ICE Network.
A secret girl from Blick's past shows up… claiming to be his ex—and maybe something more.
---