Friction and Fries - Cooking up feelings you can't ignore

Kelsey

I thought my first day at Westbridge University with Tina would feel like a movie scene. Or maybe I was just hoping for that.

My stomach was doing flips instead.

Students were everywhere dropping papers and bumping into each other, and somehow still managed to look cool.

I just wanted to survive, pass accounting and stay out of trouble.

No drama and definitely no love.

Especially not when a three-year-old crush was still ignoring me.

Tina waved at me before disappearing into her Information systems lecture. Room 104, Business Building, should’ve been easy to find.

Ten minutes later, I stood in a hallway that smelled like bleach. A frog poster being cut open stared at me.

“Oh nope, definitely in the wrong place,” I said to myself.

I turned around, trying to be calm. I was totally panicking before my first lecture.

“Hey,” a voice said from behind. “You look… lost. Need help?”

I turned. And then I just about stopped dead.

A very goodlooking guy was leaning against the wall like he was posing for a fashion magazine. Dark, messy, but perfect hair. Arms crossed like he had nothing better to do than trying to be cool. And that smirk, infuriating.

I blinked. “I’m fine,” I said too fast.

He raised an eyebrow. “Unless you’re here for frog science, maybe rethink that route.”

He probably saw my face go red.

“Just… double-checking,” I said, clutching my schedule.

He pushed off the wall, strolling closer. “Relax.”

“Nope,” I said, stepping aside. “I’ve got it.”

He held out his hand, Luke Sterling. Third-year, business major.”

“Kelsey Prescott. First-year. Accounting.”

“Nice to meet you, Kelsey,” he said smoothly, winking before strolling off.

I exhaled, heart pounding. Nope! Not happening. Luke Sterling was exactly the kind of distraction I didn’t need.

Eventually, I found the right building and my first lecture.

Break time, and Tina was already at the student centre, sipping a smoothie.

“There you are!” she chirped. “I was about to send a search party. How was the morning?”

“I ended up in the biology labs.”

She laughed. “Classic Kelsey. I’ll come pick you up tomorrow to save you the drama?”

“Yes, please.” I sat down, pushing my hair behind my ear. “Also… met someone. Luke Sterling.”

Tina stopped mid-sip. “Wait. You talked to Luke Sterling?”

“You know him?”

“Everyone knows him from Sterling Group that owns Whimsy Burger.

My jaw dropped. “Whimsy Burger? The place I work?”

“Yep. Totally.” She leaned in, eyes twinkling. “And relax, you’re not interested.”

I rolled my eyes. “Nope.”

“Puh-lease. Still hung up on Mike, aren’t you?”

My face turned red. “I… can’t help it. He’s Mike.”

“Three years, Kelsey. And you’re still waiting for him to notice you? How long are you gonna hold out for your first kiss?”

“Maybe forever,” I blurted out.

“Well, guess what? Mike’s here. Westbridge. Second-year engineering.”

“Wait, what?!”

“Didn’t I say?”

“No!” My voice squeaked.

“Oops. Better practice your flirt game, then. How about we go cheer him on at his soccer games?

Before I could protest, a voice called:

“Hey, you two!”

I turned. And there he was. Taller than I remembered. Broad shoulders. That grin that fuelled three years of daydreams.

“Oh my word,” I whispered.

“Mike! What are you doing here?”

“I go here,” he laughed, pointing at the engineering building. “You guys too?”

“Of course. Yes, first-year,” I mumbled.

Mike’s friend Don grinned at us. “I’m Don. Nice to meet you both.”

We ended up chatting for a few minutes, awkward and flustered, but alive.

“So… what do you guys usually do on weekends?” Mike asked, leaning back casually against the table.

I blinked. “Uh… well, I usually work.”

“Work? Like internships?” he asked, curiosity in his eyes.

“Not exactly…” I hesitated. “I work at Whimsy Burger.”

Tina snorted beside me, elbowing my side so hard I nearly tipped out of my chair.

Mike’s eyes lit up. “Wait… Whimsy Burger? Main Road, right?”

I nodded, blushing. “Yeah… that’s the one.

“No way. I might have to stop by sometime,” he said.

I laughed nervously. “I’m looking forward to it.”

He smiled one more time and walked off.

Tina nudged me so hard I almost fell out of my chair. “See? He actually noticed you.”

I whispered, still smiling, “Maybe….”

Her grin was unstoppable. “I’m telling you, that’s a big deal.”

I tried to roll my eyes, but my smile wouldn’t fade. “Okay, okay… let’s not get ahead of ourselves.”