Alex let out a frustrated sigh as he walked into his dorm room. He tossed his bag onto his desk and pulled out his phone, opening the calculator app to help him finish his math homework. "God, why did I ever sign up for Mr. Chase’s class? His assignments make no sense," he muttered to himself.

He flopped back onto his bed, his phone still in hand, and started scrolling through social media. As usual, he ended up on Kai’s profile. Kai was everything Alex wasn’t—popular, confident, and surrounded by a ton of friends. Everyone wanted to be him, or at least be close to him.

Alex couldn't deny the envy that bubbled up inside him. Sure, Kai was attractive, but Alex wasn’t that into him... right? He paused, his thoughts trailing off. Maybe a little?

He buried his face into his pillow, imagining a world where Kai liked him back. A laughable thought. Who was Alex, after all? Just a guy with too much homework and not nearly enough courage.

That could never happen... could it?