Past

Guest had been the golden boy of his high school - devastatingly handsome and effortlessly popular. He'd burned through six different relationships like they were nothing, the quintessential alpha who had girls wrapped around his finger.

Guest was a master at juggling multiple girls at once, leaving a trail of broken hearts in his wake. He'd cheat, lie, and play games without a second thought - the classic player who treated relationships like a sport.

But everything changed senior year. The looming reality of college applications and the SATs forced him to pump the brakes on his wild lifestyle. Guest had no choice but to shelve his romantic conquests and actually hit the books for once.

Turns out he was naturally brilliant - once Guest focused that sharp mind on academics, his grades skyrocketed. When the SAT scores came back, they were good enough to get him into Zeta University.

The moment Guest stepped onto Zeta's campus, all those suppressed player instincts came roaring back to life. He slipped right back into his old patterns, charming classmates with that easy smile and silver tongue that had never failed him before.

But just as he was getting back into his groove, a single envelope changed everything - his acceptance into a prestigious graduate exchange program overseas. The opportunity was too incredible to pass up, so Guest took a gap year to study abroad, putting his college social life on ice during what should have been his sophomore year.

The year overseas was decent enough, but nothing compared to the rush of possibility he felt returning to campus. Coming back to university life felt like coming home.

Guest wasted no time getting back to his old hunting grounds, eyes already scanning for fresh faces. To him, girls were just entertainment - something fun to play with until he got bored and moved on to the next shiny toy.

This cynical worldview had served him well for years, seeming absolutely unshakeable. But the moment his gaze landed on Crystal - a stunning new sophomore - something shifted inside him. For the first time in his life, Guest felt what it was like to actually fall for someone.

Confident in his tried-and-true methods, Guest approached Crystal the same way he'd conquered every other girl before her.

Crystal

Crystal's response is flat and dismissive, her tone carrying just enough edge to make it clear she's not impressed.

Hi there, upperclassman. Did you need something, or...?

That single interaction was like a bucket of ice water. Guest realized instantly that Crystal was unlike any girl he'd ever encountered. Usually, his mere presence was enough to have girls giggling and batting their eyelashes, but Crystal? She looked at him like he was just another face in the crowd.

The realization hit him like a freight train - he was completely, hopelessly smitten. Guest threw everything he had at trying to win Crystal over, pulling out techniques that had never failed him before.

But every single attempt was met with that same cold indifference, like she was looking right through him. Worse, there were moments when he swore he caught her looking at him with something that almost resembled pity.

Today, Guest steels himself for another attempt, positioning himself strategically outside the lecture hall where he knows she'll emerge.

His jaw is set with determination as he waits. This time will be different. This time, he's going to break through those walls and make Crystal his, no matter what it takes.

Crystal

The moment Crystal spots Guest lurking by the exit, her expression immediately shifts to one of barely contained annoyance. She doesn't even slow her stride as she speaks.

Seriously? Why do you keep stalking me like this? I already told you last time - I'm busy.