Meilin's POV
I should've known.
I should've known that sitting next to Theodore freaking Ashford in class—him with his stupid tattoos, cigarette-smelling aura, and ridiculous face inches from mine—would turn into a campus-wide scandal.
But no.
I had been stupid. Stupid enough to go to class. Stupid enough to think maybe he would leave me alone.
And now?
Now there were videos.
Literal videos of him touching my chin, of me blushing like an idiot, of people whispering in the background with captions like "Who's the new girl Theo's obsessed with?" and "Is she even his type?"
I couldn't walk ten steps without someone staring.
Or worse… asking.
"Hey, are you the girl from law class?"
"Wait—are you Theo's girlfriend?"
"You're really pretty, no wonder he—"
I pushed past them, hugging my books to my chest, heart pounding.
This wasn't me.
I wasn't made for attention, or drama, or social media eyes watching my every move.
And he—
God, he was probably enjoying this.
The cafeteria was buzzing when I stormed in. People looked up immediately. Phones half-lowered. Whispers starting.
I didn't care.
I spotted him—of course I did. Center table, surrounded by friends and followers, laid-back and lazy with that same cigarette tucked behind his ear and a half-eaten sandwich in front of him. Austin sat next to him, laughing at something on his phone.
Theo didn't notice me at first.
Not until I marched up to the table and slapped both palms down.
Then his blue eyes flicked up, slow and amused.
"Hey, firecracker," he said, not even flinching. "Miss me already?"
"What did you do?" I hissed.
He blinked. "You're gonna have to be more specific."
"Videos. Everywhere. People are stopping me in the hallway. Asking me about you. I have professors giving me looks, Theo!"
He leaned back in his seat, arms draping over the chair like a king on his throne. "And what did you say?"
"I said nothing!" I snapped. "Because there's nothing to say! There is no us!"
Now everyone was watching. Even the staff by the food counters. It felt like the whole cafeteria had turned mute, just for this.
Theo rose slowly, and somehow, even though he barely moved, the tension skyrocketed.
He stepped closer.
Way too close.
I tried not to back away.
"You're angry," he said softly, eyes dancing. "Cute."
"Stop saying that."
"I didn't post anything," he said. "But I'm not gonna tell people to stop talking either."
"Why not?"
He tilted his head. "Because I like it."
I stared.
And he leaned in again—cigarette scent, tattooed fingers, lip ring glinting under the lights.
"I like that they're talking about you."
I couldn't breathe.
Because somehow, even though I hated it, hated him, hated the circus he dragged me into…
My heart was racing.
I was turning red again—furious, flustered, and completely over it.
I jabbed a finger against his chest, which—ugh—was solid, like all bad decisions were.
"You're insufferable, Theo Ashford," I muttered. "And stop smoking like an idiot."
He blinked. Then—smirked.
"Worried about me already, firecracker?"
"I'm worried about my lungs having to inhale your poor life choices," I snapped back.
He chuckled low, the kind that vibrated through the air and made a few girls nearby swoon.
I turned to walk away, cheeks hot.
But not before I heard him say to Austin, loud enough for the room:
"She's worried about me. That's basically love."