If someone had told Taylor Evans that her new beginning would start with a thunderstorm, a locked gate, and a stranger who wouldn't stop smirking—she would've stayed home and unpacked boxes instead.
But life had other plans.
The evening air in Ridgewood Town was cooler than she expected, brushing against her cheeks as she wandered out for a walk. The sky was fading from gold to lilac, and the small park she found on the corner looked peaceful—just a few benches, a fountain, and trees dancing in the wind.
She sat down, slipping her earphones in, pretending not to feel the weight of everything new—new town, new college, new people who didn't know her name. For once, she wished the world would just pause.
Then the first drop of rain landed on her hand.
Taylor looked up. "You've got to be kidding me."
In seconds, the drizzle turned into a downpour. She jumped to her feet, running toward the gate—only to find it chained shut. Her heart sank.
> "Well," said a voice behind her, lazy and amused, "looks like you're trapped too."
She turned sharply. A boy stood under the gazebo across the path, tall, dark hair dripping from the rain, hands tucked in his jacket pockets. His grin was the kind that could annoy you and intrigue you at the same time.
> "I didn't know the park closed," Taylor said defensively.
"You'd be surprised how many people find out the hard way." He tilted his head. "You new here?"
"Is it that obvious?"
"Only to someone who's been here long enough to know better."
Taylor rolled her eyes but stepped under the gazebo anyway—it was better than getting drenched. The space was small, and she could feel his gaze flick toward her as the rain hammered around them.
> "So," he said, "what's your name, mysterious stranger stuck in a park?"
"Taylor," she said cautiously. "And you?"
"Chris." He smiled, like he'd been expecting her to ask. "Nice to meet you, Taylor-who-got-trapped."
She crossed her arms. "You could stop being so smug, you know."
> "Oh, but then how would we pass the time?"
For the next hour, they talked. About music. About college starting tomorrow. About how both of them hated small talk but somehow couldn't stop. Somewhere between the teasing and the quiet laughter, Taylor realized she was actually enjoying being stuck there.
When the rain finally calmed, Chris stretched his arms and looked up at the fading clouds.
> "Guess our little adventure's over," he said softly.
"Guess so."
They walked toward the gate together, where a sleepy security guard finally appeared to unlock it. Taylor turned to say goodbye, but Chris was already walking away.
> "Wait—" she called. "Will I see you again?"
He looked over his shoulder, a grin tugging at his lips.
"Who knows? Maybe."
And just like that, he was gone.
Taylor stood there for a moment, watching the rain-slicked streetlights. She told herself it didn't matter—that she'd probably never see him again.
But fate, apparently, h
ad a sense of humor.
Because tomorrow was her first day of college.