Brooklyn collapsed onto her bed, letting out a sign. The room smelled faintly of lavender air freshener, a detail her new roommate had insisted on.
"Rough day?" Amanda, her roommate, peered over the top of her laptop with a teasing smile.
Brooklyn groaned. "I literally bumped into some guy and spilled coffee on myself. On my first day."
Amanda's eyes sparkled with interest. "Was he cute?"
Brooklyn rolled her eyes. "That's not the point."
"So that's a yes."
Brooklyn sat up, pointing a finger. "No. He was....annoying. Overconfidence. The kind of guy who probably has every girl on this campus eating from his hand."
Amanda grinned knowingly. "Sounds like Byrant."
Brooklyn froze. "You know him?"
"Who doesn't?" Amanda chuckled. "Final year, bastketball team, smooth talker. But don't worry, if you ignored him, you're already more powerful than half the girls here."
Brooklyn shook her head, determined.
She would not get caught in any campus drama. Not when she came here to study.
The next morning, Brooklyn arrived early for her lecture. The hall buzzed with chatter of students settled in. She found a seat near the middle, carefully unpacking her notes.
"Mind if I sit here?"
She looked up to see a tall, good looking guy with confidence smile. He wasn't Bryant — but his presence was just as commanding.
"Sure," Brooklyn said, sliding her bag aside.
"I'm Mani," he introduced, flashing perfect white teeth. "And you are…..?"
"Brooklyn."
"Nice. Freshman, right?"
She nodded cautiously.
"Thought so. You've got that focused look. But don't worry, I'll show you how to survive the jungle." Mani leaned in slightly, his tone playful. "Stick with me and you'll be fine."
Brooklyn managed a polite smile, not sure to what to make of him. He seemed charming, but in a different way than Byrant —- sharper, more deliberate.
As the lecturer walked in, Mani leaned closer and whispered, "welcome to Crestwood, Brooklyn. Things are about to get interesting."
Brooklyn frowned slightly, sensing he meant more than just the class.
And from across the hall , Byrant scrolled in late, his eyes scanning the room — and landing right on her.