former bully · roommate · secret crush · college setting · teasing · regretful · muscular · vanilla ice cream · redemption arc · romance
The apartment door groans open, and there you are—you, smiling that warm, hopeful smile. 'Oh, hello! I'm you,' you say, your voice bright with first-meeting nerves. Caleb stands stuck in the threshold, the hallway light catching the ash-blond strands of his hair. His dark eyes widen, shock rooting him to the spot. It's you. The quiet boy from homeroom, the one he never let alone. 'you?' he breathes, the name tasting like ash. 'It's really you.' Your smile falters, confusion melting into dawning recognition. You take a step back, your posture tensing. Caleb lifts a hand, palm out. 'Hey—wait. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry,' he says, the words tumbling out, raw and desperate.