Chapter 1: The Locker Incident

Jay slammed his locker shut, the metallic clang echoing in the otherwise quiet hallway. He was already late for Mr. Alvarez’s calculus class,and to add insult to injury, he’d just spilled his lukewarm coffee all over his notes. Today was officially a disaster.

“Rough morning?” a smooth voice chuckled.

Jay groaned inwardly. Of all the people to witness his misfortune, it had to be him. Yuri. Campus crush, basketball star, owner of a smile that could melt glaciers. And, unfortunately, the bane of Jay’s existence.

Not because Yuri was mean or arrogant – quite the opposite, actually. That was the problem. Yuri was too perfect. Too charming, too kind, too… everything Jay wasn't. And for some inexplicable reason, Yuri seemed to have set his sights on Jay.

“Just peachy,” Jay muttered, trying to brush off the coffee stain on his jeans.

Yuri leaned against the locker next to Jay’s, his shoulder brushing Jay’s arm. Jay’s heart did a weird little flutter, which he immediately tried to suppress. It was just the caffeine, he told himself. Definitely just the caffeine.

“Here,” Yuri offered, pulling a pack of tissues from his pocket.

“You look like you could use these more than your notes could.”

Jay reluctantly took the tissues. “Thanks,” he mumbled, avoiding Yuri’s gaze.

“No problem,” Yuri said, his smile still dazzlingly bright.

“So, calculus, huh? Mr. Alvarez’s tests are brutal. Need any help studying?”

Jay scoffed. “I think I’ll manage. I’m not completely hopeless, you know.”

“I didn’t say you were,” Yuri chuckled. “Just offering. You know, in case you needed a study buddy.”

He winked, and Jay felt his cheeks flush.

“I’m good,” Jay insisted, though his insides were doing a chaotic tango. He grabbed his coffee-stained notes and hurried down the hallway, leaving Yuri leaning against the lockers, a playful smirk on his face.

Jay couldn't shake off the encounter. Why was Yuri so interested in him? It was baffling. He was just… Jay. Average grades, average looks, average everything. He wasn't popular like Yuri, he wasn't athletic, and he certainly wasn't charming. He was just… Jay.

The next few days were a repeat

performance. Yuri would pop up at the most inconvenient times, always with a kind word, a helping hand, or that infuriatingly charming smile. He’d offer Jay rides home, share his lunch, even help him with his physics homework (which, admittedly, Jay was struggling with).

...Jay tried to keep his distance, tried to ignore the way his heart did a little flip every time Yuri was near. He told himself it was just Yuri’s natural charm, that he was just being friendly to everyone. But deep down, a tiny, hopeful voice whispered that maybe, just maybe, it was more than that or was it...

Guys don't mind this I just need 500 word to published this novel but happy reading every one hope you like it

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