Blick never imagined his college life would twist like this. One second, he was helping Kiara clean up after she fell, the next he found himself walking behind her—his eyes helplessly glued to the alluring sway of her hips. Her black one-piece still clung to her frame, dirt-streaked at the hem, and her perfume lingered in the air like temptation.
"It's just here," Kiara whispered, motioning toward the back corridor.
Blick hesitated as she pushed the door open.
"Uh... Kiara, isn't this the girls' washroom?"
"Shh! No one's around. Just come quickly," she said, flashing a mischievous smirk.
Inside, the air was warm and scented with vanilla soap. As Kiara stood near the sink, dabbing at the edge of her dress with wet tissue, Blick awkwardly stood behind, unsure where to look.
"Here, give me a hand," she said, turning her back toward him. "Just press here. I can't reach."
He stepped closer, slowly lifting his hand to the small of her back. His fingertips brushed the curve of her waist. Suddenly, she gasped softly.
"Aouchhh..." Kiara let out a breathy moan and glanced back at him with a teasing blush. "Be gentle, Blick."
He was frozen, unsure if she was playing or genuinely flustered.
But they weren't alone.
A shadow behind the wall shifted silently. A girl crouched, holding up her phone, recording. Her lips curled into a devilish grin.
Suddenly, a plastic bucket fell near the back wall with a loud clunk!
"What was that?!" Kiara spun around.
"Who's there?!" Blick yelled.
The shadow dashed away.
Blick rushed toward the sound, but the corridor was empty.
"Maybe it was just the wind?" Kiara offered, though her face had gone pale.
They returned to the washroom just as Blick slipped on the slick floor.
"Whoa!"
He grabbed the nearest thing to balance himself—which happened to be Kiara.
"Ahh!" she yelped as she tumbled right onto him.
She landed straddled across his waist, her hands pressed against his chest. His shirt clung wetly to his abs, and her thighs hugged his sides tightly.
For a breathless moment, their eyes locked.
"You... really have abs," she said, slightly breathless, biting her lip.
Before he could reply, the echo of approaching footsteps sent them scrambling.
They exited the washroom just as a group of students passed.
Whispers exploded.
"Is that Kiara with him?!"
"Yo, look at his body! That shirt is transparent now!"
Blick tried to pull his shirt straight, but it clung even more. Kiara walked quickly ahead, cheeks flushed, her friends' eyes wide with curiosity.
"What were you doing in there?" her bestie Tanya asked with a raised brow.
"Nothing! Shut up!" Kiara snapped, half-grinning.
"We saw everything!" another chimed in, laughing.
Just then, Dany approached, his expensive perfume and aura of entitlement arriving before he did.
"Kiara. Who's this guy?" he asked, eyeing Blick up and down.
"A friend," she said quickly. Too quickly.
Blick stayed silent, offering only a faint nod. Dany's stare lingered with silent challenge.
Before the tension could build further, a student rep entered the hallway and shouted,
"Freshers' Ramp Show audition announcement! Partners must be selected today! Girls outnumber boys, so claim your partner now!"
The hallway exploded with excitement.
In the chaos, a girl approached Blick.
She was hard to ignore: long curls, cropped mini-top that showed off her toned stomach, and jeans so tight they looked painted on. Her chest was round and proud, her hips a perfect curve.
"You're Blick, right?" she purred. "I'm Zara. Heard about your body and attitude. We should definitely partner up for the ramp."
She reached out and playfully poked his abs.
"These will win us the crown."
Blick chuckled, unsure.
But before he could reply, Kiara stepped in, her voice calm but dangerous.
"Actually, he's already taken. Right, Blick?"
He blinked.
"Uh... yeah. Kiara asked me first."
Zara raised an eyebrow. "Hmm. Lucky girl."
As she walked away, Blick glanced at Kiara.
"Jealous much?"
She smirked. "Please. I just don't want to lose."
In class, teachers walked down the rows, evaluating students. Miss Naina, a young faculty member, seemed to spend just a little too much time checking out the boys.
Some girls entered wearing ultra-short skirts and tank tops. The boys couldn't stop gawking. One guy even whispered, "Bro, I can't focus. This is visual harassment."
Laughter rippled.
Then trouble arrived. A group of outsiders entered with cocky grins. One nudged Kiara's shoulder.
"Oops. Sorry, sexy."
Blick's jaw clenched.
"Back off," he said firmly.
"Or what? Pretty boy will cry?"
One rushed at Blick, aiming a punch.
Too slow.
Blick ducked and slammed a fist into his jaw. The guy reeled, blood dripping from his nose.
His gang growled. "You're dead. Wait outside."
"Anytime," Blick replied coldly.
Dany pulled Kiara aside. "You shouldn't hang with guys like him."
Kiara looked torn, but then grabbed Blick's hand.
"Come with me. Let's go somewhere quiet."
They escaped to a cozy off-campus cafe with fairy lights and indie music. Kiara stirred her cold coffee, silent.
"You're quiet," Blick said.
"They might hurt you. Why fight them?"
"Because you were in trouble. And... because I care."
He reached across the table, fingers brushing hers. Her lips parted, but she didn't pull away.
"You know... your lips look really kissable right now," he murmured.
She blushed but didn't stop him as he leaned in. Their lips touched—softly, but with rising fire.
Just then, the cafe's bass speaker thumped loudly. They jumped, giggling nervously.
"Bad timing," Kiara whispered.
Unbeknownst to them, a figure stood outside the cafe. The girl who had filmed them earlier.
She watched the kiss. Then turned and whispered into her phone.
"You won't believe what I just saw. They're getting way too close. Time to ruin their little fantasy."
Blick and Kiara stepped outside, hand in hand.
And found themselves face-to-face with a group of 13 boys.
Same gang. Waiting. Angry.
Kiara tightened her grip on Blick's hand.
His eyes narrowed.
"You sure you wanna do this now?" he asked.
The leader smirked. "Oh yeah. And this time, there won't be an audience to save you."