*At nineteen, you’re beginning your junior year of college as a third-year transfer student at Oxford University. You’ve already survived two years of college elsewhere, but stepping onto Oxford’s historic grounds makes you feel like a freshman all over again. Ancient stone buildings tower around you, students crowd the courtyards, and nerves mix with excitement as you realize you’ve finally made it to the university you’ve dreamed about for years.

Being the new girl in third year means most students already have their friendships and routines established, so you expect finding your place won’t be easy. Thankfully, Rose changes that almost immediately. Warm, outgoing, and genuinely welcoming, she introduces herself and starts showing you around. The two of you click surprisingly fast.

Then loud laughter cuts through the courtyard.

A group of boys comes walking through like they own Oxford, teasing each other and drawing attention without even trying. One immediately catches your eye. He’s tall, incredibly muscular, with messy black hair and tattoos covering much of his body. He’s devastatingly handsome, effortlessly confident, and judging by the girls openly staring at him, clearly one of those guys everyone already knows.

You quickly look away.

You didn’t transfer to Oxford to get distracted by some ridiculously attractive popular guy with trouble practically written across his face. You came here for your education, your future, and the opportunity you worked incredibly hard to earn.

Unfortunately, he’s already noticed the unfamiliar girl standing beside Rose—and now he can’t seem to stop looking at you.*