The sun was relentless. It beat down on International University's campus like it had a personal grudge.
Ethan Carter stood in the middle of the bustling student quad, questioning every life choice that led him here.
Specifically, his decision to pack a custom gaming PC, three monitors, a mechanical keyboard, and a pile of vintage sci-fi novels into one flimsy cardboard box.
It was threatening to snap his spine.
"This is entirely fine," he muttered, arms trembling. "People carry their body weight in electronics all the time. It builds character. It builds... extreme, irreversible back pain."
The campus was chaos. Rolling suitcases, flustered parents, freshmen running late for classes that hadn't started yet.
His dorm—Oakwood Hall—was at the top of a massive hill.
Ethan wasn't sure how he'd gotten into this university. He was intelligent, undeniably. But also notoriously lazy.
His dream was to start a tech empire so he could pay other people to carry boxes for the rest of his life.
"Excuse me! Coming through!"
A guy with bleached blonde hair and a neon Hawaiian shirt barreled toward him, pushing an overloaded luggage cart.
"Whoa, watch out!" Ethan yelled.
The cart clipped his elbow. He stumbled. The box slipped from his sweaty grasp.
Time slowed. He imagined his three-thousand-dollar PC shattering on concrete.
But strong hands grabbed the other side of the box just in time.
"Got it," a calm voice said.
Ethan exhaled and looked up.
She wasn't just any girl. While everyone else looked sweaty and miserable, she looked like she'd stepped off a runway.
Piercing hazel eyes sized him up in a fraction of a second. Dark hair in a sleek ponytail. White blouse tucked into tailored trousers.
His brain short-circuited. His heart gave an unexpected thump.
"Uh," Ethan said. "Hi."
"Hi," she replied. Her voice carried a faint, sophisticated accent. "Are you smuggling bricks into the dormitories, or do you just enjoy physical torture?"
He laughed breathlessly. "Both, honestly. I'm Ethan. Ethan Carter."
"Sophia Bennett." She let go of the box and brushed invisible dust off her trousers. "You should learn to pack. If I hadn't been here, your computer would be pavement art."
"I would have caught it," he lied, leaning against the box. The cardboard buckled. He stood up straight immediately.
"Okay, maybe not. But thank you. You have the reflexes of a ninja. A very stylish ninja."
She offered a small, mysterious smile. "Are you heading to Oakwood Hall?"
"Yeah. Is it at the top of Mt. Everest?"
"It's on a hill," she said, checking her watch. "I'm in Maple Hall, right next to it. Since you look like you're about to pass out, I suppose we can walk together."
"No promises I won't drop something," Ethan joked. "My clumsiness is a full-time job."
As they walked, Ethan stole glances at her. She moved with purpose. Comfortable in silence.
He, on the other hand, rambled when nervous. And she made him very nervous.
"So, Sophia. What's the master plan?"
"Journalism," she said. "Investigative reporting. I want to uncover stories that powerful people try to hide."
"That's terrifyingly impressive. Remind me never to get on your bad side."
"Only if your secrets are interesting enough," she teased. A spark of playful humor broke through. His stomach did a small flip.
"And you?" she asked.
"Tech empire," Ethan said confidently, bent double carrying his box. "Revolutionary software. Billionaire by twenty-five. Private island with perfect Wi-Fi."
Sophia laughed. A short, musical sound. "Ambitious but lazy. Dangerous combination."
"I prefer 'efficiency enthusiast.'"
"Right," she said, unconvinced but entertained.
They reached the top of the hill. Dorm buildings rose like ancient castles.
"This is where we part ways, Efficiency Enthusiast," Sophia said. "Try not to cause property damage."
Ethan smiled. He didn't want the conversation to end. There was an electric energy between them.
"If I blow up my room, you'll get the exclusive scoop."
Her hazel eyes glinted. "I'll hold you to it. Goodbye, Ethan."
"See you around, Sophia."
He watched her walk away. Graceful. Confident. He shook his head with a ridiculous smile and turned toward Oakwood Hall.
First day, and he'd already met an incredible girl who saved his computer's life.
An hour later, Ethan dragged his box up three flights to Room 304. He kicked the door open.
The room was destroyed.
Clothes everywhere. An empty pizza box on one bed. Standing in the chaos was the same blonde guy with the Hawaiian shirt.
"Hey! You're the guy I almost assassinated at the quad!" The massive grin was back. "I'm Leo! We're roommates!"
Ethan lowered his box. "You've got to be kidding me."
"Fate, man!" Leo clapped him on the back. "Best year ever. I already scoped out parties, joined three intramural sports, and got a mini-fridge of questionable legality."
"How do you already have a pizza box?"
"Priorities." Leo winked.
For the next two hours, they wrestled with cables and monitors. Despite Leo being loud and chaotic, Ethan liked him. They balanced each other.
By late afternoon, the room was somewhat together. Ethan sat on his bed, watching the sunset paint the sky orange and pink.
"Hey, Ethan." Leo tossed something across the room. "Check this out."
Ethan caught it. A sleek black leather notebook. Expensive-looking.
"Found it near your desk," Leo shrugged. "Fell out of your box?"
Ethan frowned. He didn't own a leather notebook. His notebooks had anime characters on them.
He opened it. On the first page, sharp elegant handwriting:
*Property of Sophia Bennett.*
*If found, do not read. Return immediately.*
His heart flipped. It must have slipped out of her bag at the quad.
"Is it yours?" Leo asked, crunching a chip.
Ethan closed the notebook with a mischievous smile. "No. It belongs to a friend."
He slipped it into his pocket. "Looks like I have a reason to see her again."
His phone buzzed. Unknown number.
*I know you have my notebook, Ethan Carter. Meet me at The Daily Grind coffee shop tomorrow morning at 8:00 AM. Bring it.*
Ethan stared at the screen. His lazy demeanor vanished.
He hadn't given Sophia his number.
The first day was already full of surprises. He leaned back against his pillow, suddenly looking forward to tomorrow.
Especially with a highly capable, ridiculously beautiful, and slightly terrifying girl already tracking him down.