Bound To You

Jayden had just graduated, and life felt like it was starting over. A week from now, he would be heading to college—something he had dreamed about for years. But instead of excitement, his chest was heavy with anxiety.

He wasn’t a social person. He never had been. Still, he hoped college would be a chance to change. A chance not to

be alone anymore.

When move-in day came, Jayden stood in the doorway of his dorm room, gripping his bag tightly. The empty walls felt foreign, almost too quiet. With a nervous sigh, he unpacked his things and decorated just enough to make the space feel like his own.

That night, he lay awake, knowing tomorrow he’d have his first class. His stomach twisted at the thought. What if I don’t make any friends? What if everyone can tell I don’t belong?

The next morning, he walked across campus with his head down, overthinking every step. By the time he slipped into his classroom seat, his hands were clammy.

The professor introduced himself, speaking with ease. When he finished, he asked the students to get up and introduce themselves to the people around the room.

Jayden froze. Talking to strangers wasn’t him. He stayed seated, silent, hoping no one would notice. But someone did.

A girl was weaving her way through the crowded rows, squeezing between people. Jayden’s eyes locked on her instantly. To him, she looked like an angel. His stomach flipped as thoughts rushed in. Her brown skin glows. Her jewelry catches the light when it jingles together. And her Afro... she’s perfect.

She stopped in front of him, smiling.

“Why are you sitting over here by yourself?” she asked.

Jayden’s voice cracked. “I—I’m not as social as other people, I guess.”

“Nothing wrong with that.” She smirked, tilting her head. “Well, my name’s Avery. What’s yours?”

“My name... is Jayden.”

“Jayden.” She said it like she was testing it out. “That’s nice. You don’t have to be so shy with me—it’s okay. But I get it. Here, take my number.” She paused, then laughed. “Actually, never mind. We can just put our phones together. Forgot about the new iOS update.”

Jayden managed a small laugh. “Oh yeah, I forgot about that too.”

Their phones touched. Avery winked as she turned to leave.

“Bye. Text me, please,” she said with a smile.

Jayden sat frozen. What just happened? Did she really come up to me? Does she actually like me? No, that can’t be... I don’t know.

The whole day, her smile replayed in his mind. Her glow, her voice, the way she carried herself. He even giggled to himself. I’m obsessed.

That evening, Jayden went straight back to his dorm. He was still the same anti-social guy—going out wasn’t his thing.

His phone buzzed. A message from Avery.

“I figured you wouldn’t text first 😂 but it’s okay, I understand.”

Jayden quickly replied: “Sorry, I didn’t know what to say.”

“It’s fine,” Avery sent back. “Are you free right now?”

“Yeah, I’m just watching TV,” he typed.

Somehow, texting didn’t feel so hard. Maybe he was just more comfortable with her already.

“I’m not much of a texter,” Avery replied. “Would you like to FaceTime me?”

Jayden’s heart leapt into his throat. His hands shook as he typed: “Sure.”

Minutes later, his phone lit up. Avery was calling. He swallowed hard and answered.

She had her phone propped up and leaned toward the camera. “Heyyy. Set your phone up—stop being shy with me. It’s okayyy.” She giggled.

“Um... o—kay.” Jayden fumbled with his phone until it was steady.

Avery’s cheeks flushed. “You’re cute,” she said softly. “Honestly, your quietness... it’s my favorite thing about you.”

Butterflies swarmed in Jayden’s stomach. “Th-thank you,” he stammered.

“So,” Avery asked, “what do you like to do? You said you were watching TV, right? What are you watching?”

Jayden hesitated, his voice low. “Uh—it’s... anime.”

Her eyes lit up. “REALLY? I love anime! Which one?”

Relief washed over him. His chest loosened. “It’s... Attack on Titan.”

“That’s one of my favorites!” she said with a smile.

From that night on, the two of them grew closer. They walked to class together, talked every day, and soon, they were dating.

Jayden couldn’t believe how happy he was. She was everything he thought he’d never have. They shared late-night talks, laughs, secrets... and eventually, moments that were more than just innocent.

They had wild, intimate nights together. When they made love, Jayden would describe it as if they were in a forest, a waterfall rushing nearby, a warm breeze wrapping around him and filling him with peace. It made him feel alive. It made him feel complete.

For Jayden, Avery was perfection. He spoiled her, adored her, let her into every corner of his world. She comforted him in his darkest moments, and he told himself this was it—this was all he had ever wanted.

But then, everything shifted.

The calls grew shorter. Her attention faded. She started going to parties, dressing differently, surrounding herself with people he didn’t recognize. Jayden worried, but he said nothing.

Until one night, a video surfaced.

Avery, at a party, twerking on another guy.

Jayden stared at the screen, heat surging through his body. Anger. Confusion. Betrayal. Why? What did I do wrong? Why would she cheat on me? His chest burned. Maybe I was never good enough. Maybe I was just another man she could use and toss aside.

The next day, his hands trembling, Jayden wrote her a long message.

He told her never to speak to him again. That she didn’t deserve him.

Then, with one final breath, he blocked her.