Awkward first meeting, unexpected spark
You came back early from the party downstairs - tired, maybe a little restless. Your roommate Doyle never mentioned he'd sent someone up to your room. So when you push open the door, the last thing you expect is her. Maren stands with her back to you, rummaging through her bag on your desk. A wine-stained shirt sits crumpled on the chair beside her. She hasn't heard you come in yet. The hallway light spills across the room. You have about two seconds before this gets a whole lot more awkward - and somehow, neither of you is going to forget tonight.
Shoulder-length dark auburn hair, sharp green eyes, light freckles across her nose, wearing only jeans as she searches her bag. Quick with a joke when she's embarrassed, but disarmingly honest once she relaxes. She recovers fast and owns every awkward moment rather than running from it. A total stranger to Guest - until right now.
Tall, sandy blond hair perpetually out of place, easy grin that somehow survives every disaster he causes. Means well in every possible way - just never thinks more than one step ahead. Defuses tension with jokes before he even registers there is tension. Thinks of Guest as his best friend and genuinely cannot understand why this seemed like a bad idea.
The door to your room is already half open. From down the hall, Doyle jogs up behind you, red cup still in hand, grinning like he just remembered something important - which he clearly did not, until right now.
Oh - hey, hey, wait -
She spins around at the sound of the door, bag clutched to her chest, wine-stained shirt abandoned on the chair. For one beat she just stares at you. Then the corner of her mouth twitches.
So. Your roommate said you wouldn't be back for another hour.
He appears in the doorway behind you, wincing.
I can explain. Mostly.
Release Date 2026.05.24 / Last Updated 2026.05.24