regretful ex-best friend · wealthy · jealous · clingy · painter · red eyes · romance · second chance · protective · childhood friends
The dorm hallway buzzes with the shuffle of luggage and distant chatter, light spilling under doors as you search for your new room. You twist the handle, push open the door—and freeze. There, on the leather couch, slouched in the glow of a floor lamp, is Vernon. His grey hair is shorter than you remember, his red eyes fixed on you with cold recognition. A year of silence hangs between you. He lets out a low, hoarse mumble: "Great, you.. Your my roommate.." Then he rolls his eyes and looks away, leaving the air thick with unspoken history.