The campus was buzzing like a beehive the next morning. Freshers floated around with excited grins, some nursing hangovers from the night before, others nervously checking out their reflection in the tinted glass walls of the college building.
Blick walked through the gates with his usual shy but sharp aura—his dark messy hair lightly bouncing with the breeze, eyes darting everywhere but never lingering too long. His black t-shirt clung to his chest just right, hinting at the athleticism hiding beneath his slim frame. Despite his introverted nature, there was something undeniably magnetic about him. Girls whispered. Some giggled. A few took not-so-subtle photos pretending to "test their camera angle."
As he walked past the parking lot, a group of local boys approached him.
"Hey bro," said one in a faded red hoodie. "You're Blick, right?"
Blick turned cautiously. "Yeah…"
"You helped Anish in the library yesterday—he's our boy," the tallest of them said, offering a fist bump. "If you ever need backup, call us. You cool."
Blick blinked. Friends? Supporters? On day two? He smiled awkwardly. "Thanks, man."
[Scene 2: Ayesha's Approach]
Just then, a familiar voice called from behind.
"Blick!"
He turned to see Ayesha, the girl with a body sculpted like a fashion doll and confidence sharper than eyeliner. She wore high-waisted jeans and a cropped maroon hoodie that barely contained her enthusiasm—or her cleavage.
"About the ramp walk," she purred, leaning in closer than necessary. "Still thinking? Or ready to say yes to the best?"
Before Blick could fumble out a response, a voice interrupted.
"Well well, if it isn't Mr. Blick being seduced before class."
It was Kiara, her tone teasing but eyes locked like lasers. Her friends flanked her, all effortlessly hot in breezy dresses that showed just enough midriff and just enough mystery. Kiara wore a fitted white tank top, her hair in a loose braid, her gaze unreadable.
"I'm participating in both ramp walk and dance," she announced, tossing her hair.
"You?" Ayesha smirked. "You sure? Hope you don't fall like yesterday. Slippery surfaces and all."
Kiara narrowed her eyes. Blick sensed the sparks—of rivalry, jealousy, maybe something more primal.
"So?" Kiara turned to Blick. "Wanna partner up?"
There was a beat of silence. Blick swallowed. "Yeah… sure."
Ayesha's face dropped ever so slightly. "Oh wow, you two will be… cute." Her sarcasm wasn't lost on anyone.
[Scene 3: Tension, Testosterone & Teachers with Taste]
Later in class, the female faculty was taking down the names of participants for the upcoming fresher's ramp walk.
Now, let's be clear. These weren't just any teachers. Most were in their early 30s, dressed elegantly, but definitely aware of the ongoing hormone hurricane in the college. One teacher—Ms. Maya—had a sly smile as she scanned the line of boys signing up.
"Good physique matters," she said, half to herself.
At that very moment, a squad of overconfident boys strutted in. Tattoos, gold chains, the works. One of them winked at the teachers. "Wanna sign us up too, ma'am?"
"Only if you behave," Ms. Maya said, unimpressed.
The boy leaned over to grab a pen… brushing his hand a little too close to Kiara. Blick's eyes flared. The guy smirked.
"Watch it," Blick muttered.
"Oh, hero type?" the boy sneered. "You're new here. Chill."
But when he brushed Kiara again—this time obviously—Blick stood up.
"You want a problem?"
The guy laughed. "Relax, dancer boy."
Then came the moment.
The guy raised his foot as if to kick Blick in jest—Blick's reflex kicked in.
THWACK.
One clean punch. Straight to the nose.
Blood. Silence. Then chaos.
Teachers shouted. Students gasped. The other boys stepped forward. One whispered, "You're dead outside."
Blick didn't flinch. "Anytime, anywhere."
[Scene 4: Rich Boy Warning & Secret Cafe Talks]
Just then, Dany arrived. Kiara's rich, muscular "childhood friend" with biceps that looked like coconuts wrapped in Gucci. He pulled Blick aside.
"You don't know these guys. They're from around here. They'll mess you up."
"I'm not afraid," Blick said calmly.
"Well, Kiara is. And she's with me," Dany said, eyes flashing.
"Is she?" Blick asked, meeting his gaze.
Moments later, Kiara grabbed Blick's wrist and pulled him aside.
"Why would you do that?" she whispered, her voice trembling. "They're dangerous!"
"You were uncomfortable. I couldn't just watch."
Her lips parted slightly. A mix of fear and something else played on her face. "Let's… let's get out of here."
They walked quietly to a nearby café. Wooden chairs, vines hanging from the roof, soft instrumental music. The mood? Accidentally romantic.
Kiara ordered cold coffee, but her fingers were still shaking.
Blick gently held her hand across the table.
"They won't touch you."
She stared at him, then whispered, "You're crazy."
"I know."
He leaned in, eyes on her cherry lips.
And just as they were about to kiss—
BANG!
A speaker near their table blasted a bass-drop EDM beat. They both jumped back.
"Oops…" the waiter laughed. "Testing the sound system."
[Scene 5: Eyes Watching From the Shadows]
But not all eyes were kind.
Outside the café, a boy wearing a hoodie was on a phone call.
"I saw them. He kissed her."
On the other end of the line, a familiar voice.
"Send the video. Let's end this clown."
It was the same girl who had filmed Blick and Kiara in the washroom earlier. She was working with this boy—a jealous admirer of Kiara—who wanted to break Blick's image and win her over.
"Wait till the fresher's party," he grinned on the call. "We're going to humiliate him."
[Chapter Ends With Suspense]
As Blick and Kiara walked out of the café, hand in hand, 13–14 boys stood across the road, waiting.
Kiara froze.
"Is that…?"
Blick pulled her slightly behind him.
"Stay close."
The boys moved forward.
But just then—three bikes screeched to a halt nearby.
The local boys from earlier—Anish and crew—jumped off.
"Yo Blick! You good?"
The gang stared at each other, a storm about to explode.
To be continued…