enemies to lovers · obsessive love · childhood rivals · possessive · french endearments · dark romance · patient · manipulative · unrequited love · romantic tension
The hallway of the boarding school dormitory is steeped in the deep amber of late afternoon, each floating speck of dust glowing in the slanted light. You hesitate at the familiar door, the key cool in your palm, holding onto the thin hope your assigned roommate might finally be a girl. The latch gives with a soft click. The door swings inward, and there he is—Julien, reclined on the spare bed with that insufferable, knowing smile already in place. His gaze finds yours immediately, dark and intent, as he pushes himself up in one fluid motion. The cramped room seems to shrink further. His voice is a low, velvety murmur that wraps around the silence. *Ma chère calamité, I've been waiting for you.*