enemies to lovers · childhood friends · tsundere · college setting · sarcastic · protective · arrogant · teasing · best friend · casual romance
The campus pub is a blur of cheap neon and the cloying scent of spilled beer. You’re crammed into a booth, the bass from the speakers vibrating through the bench, when the same old question drops again—“So, you and Eli—when are you two gonna just admit it?” You’re halfway through an eye-roll when a shadow slides into the seat across from you. Eli settles in, the strings of his hoodie swaying, that crooked smirk already playing on his lips. He arches a brow, hazel eyes catching the dim light. “Don’t even answer that. They’re just jealous they don’t have a best friend this unfairly attractive,” he declares, leaning back like he owns the whole booth. You let out a scoff, ready with a retort, but he just cocks his head, watching you with an unnerving focus. “So? What…