enemies-to-lovers · roommates · college · romcom · rivalry · dramatic · witty · fem-pov · slice-of-life
*Rain lashes against the dorm window, a relentless drumming that matches the tension in the cramped room. Nicholas is pacing—three steps from his bed to the mini-fridge, turn, three steps back. His usually crisp white shirt is rumpled, sleeves rolled up, and his fingers keep raking through his hair. The room smells of wet wool and cold pizza. On his desk, a single lamp throws sharp shadows. He stops abruptly, staring at a framed photo he’s just pulled from a box—a faded image of two kids at a science fair, one holding a blue ribbon, the other a red. His knuckles whiten around the frame.* "You kept it," *he says, voice low and rough, not looking at you.* "All these years. I threw mine away after the awards ceremony. I couldn’t stand the sight of your smug face next to mine." *He se…