Chapter 1: The Boy Who Ruined Her First Day
Arabella Winslow had three rules for university life.
First, she would attend every lecture.
Second, she would maintain excellent grades.
Third, she would stay away from boys who thought being handsome was a personality.
The third rule was particularly important because, in Arabella’s experience, handsome boys were usually trouble wrapped in expensive perfume.
She had no intention of becoming someone’s entertainment during her first semester at Westbridge University.
Unfortunately, the universe had a terrible sense of humour.
And it was about to introduce her to Kieran Ashford.
“Are you sure this is Dorm 201?”
Arabella stood in front of a large cream-coloured building, staring at the number displayed above the entrance.
DORMITORY 201.
She checked the address on her admission email for the fourth time.
Yes.
This was definitely the place.
She adjusted the strap of her handbag and looked down at the two enormous suitcases beside her.
“Wonderful,” she muttered. “A new university, a new dormitory, and hopefully, a new beginning.”
Her mother had insisted on driving her to campus, but Arabella had refused.
She was eighteen, independent, and perfectly capable of carrying her own luggage.
At least, that was what she had confidently declared before discovering that her suitcases were heavier than her entire body.
She grabbed the first handle and dragged it towards the entrance.
The wheels made an unpleasant scraping sound against the pavement.
“Come on,” she whispered to the suitcase. “We can do this.”
The suitcase refused to cooperate.
Arabella pulled harder.
Nothing.
She pulled again.
Suddenly, the suitcase moved forward so quickly that she stumbled.
“Whoa!”
She caught herself against the entrance door.
A loud laugh came from behind her.
Arabella closed her eyes.
Not today.
Please, not today.
“Need some help there?”
She turned.
And immediately regretted it.
The guy standing a few feet away looked like he had walked straight out of one of those university romance novels Delilah Montgomery would probably spend her weekends reading.
He was tall, broad-shouldered, and dressed in a fitted black T-shirt with faded blue jeans. His dark brown hair looked deliberately messy, and his face carried the kind of confidence that suggested he had never been rejected in his entire life.
He was smiling.
Not a polite smile.
A thoroughly annoying one.
“I’m fine,” Arabella answered.
His eyes moved towards her struggling suitcase.
“Clearly.”
She narrowed her eyes.
“Do you always laugh at people carrying luggage?”
“Only when the luggage appears to be winning.”
Arabella stared at him.
He grinned.
“Need a hand?”
“No.”
“Are you sure?”
“Very.”
“Okay.”
He raised both hands and stepped aside.
Arabella turned back to her suitcase.
She pulled.
The suitcase refused to move.
She pulled harder.
One wheel caught against the entrance mat.
Her handbag slipped from her shoulder.
Her phone fell.
And before she could recover her balance, the coffee cup she had been carrying tilted dangerously.
The next thing she heard was a splash.
A very unpleasant splash.
Silence followed.
Arabella slowly looked down.
Brown liquid covered the front of the stranger’s black shirt.
Her eyes widened.
His smile disappeared.
“Oh.”
He looked down at his shirt.
Then at her.
Then back at his shirt.
“That’s interesting.”
Arabella swallowed.
“I’m sorry.”
He raised an eyebrow.
“Are you?”
“Obviously!”
“Because your expression suggests you’re trying not to laugh.”
“I am not trying not to laugh!”
She was.
Desperately.
His lips twitched.
“Well, that’s unfortunate.”
Arabella grabbed a tissue from her handbag.
“Here. Take this.”
He accepted it.
“Thanks.”
She watched him wipe the coffee from his shirt.
Then she noticed something.
His chest was moving slightly.
He was laughing.
Actually laughing.
“You think this is funny?”
“Not particularly.”
“Then why are you smiling?”
“Because I’ve never been attacked by a coffee cup before.”
“It was an accident!”
“That’s what they all say.”
Arabella stared at him in disbelief.
“You’re impossible.”
“And you’re dangerous.”
She gasped.
“Excuse me?”
“First the suitcase, then the coffee. I’m beginning to think you’re planning to destroy the entire building.”
“I don’t have time for this.”
“Apparently, you have plenty of time to ruin my morning.”
She grabbed her phone from the floor.
“Goodbye.”
“Wait.”
She stopped reluctantly.
“What?”
He pointed towards her luggage.
“You forgot something.”
Arabella looked down.
Her admission folder lay on the ground.
She snatched it up.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
She turned towards the entrance.
Then his voice followed her.
“By the way, I’m Kieran.”
She didn’t turn around.
“Congratulations.”
He laughed.
“What’s your name?”
“Someone who doesn’t want to know yours.”
“Interesting. I’ll remember that.”
“Please don’t.”
And with that, Arabella dragged her suitcase through the entrance.
Behind her, Kieran Ashford was still smiling.
The reception area was surprisingly beautiful.
Cream walls, polished floors, comfortable sofas, and large windows overlooking the university gardens.
A young woman sat behind the reception desk, typing something into a computer.
“Good morning!” she greeted.
“Good morning. I’m Arabella Winslow. I’ve been assigned to Dorm 201.”
The receptionist checked her computer.
“Arabella Winslow…”
She typed something.
“Ah, yes. Room 201B.”
Arabella smiled.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Your roommates have already checked in.”
Arabella paused.
“Roommates?”
The receptionist looked up.
“Yes. Dorm 201 is a shared residence.”
“I know that.”
“Wonderful.”
The woman handed her a keycard.
“Your room is upstairs, second floor, first corridor. You’ll be sharing the common living area with five other students.”
Five?
Arabella blinked.
“Five?”
“Yes.”
She forced a smile.
“Lovely.”
It wasn’t lovely.
It was six strangers sharing one living space.
She could already imagine the noise, the mess, and the inevitable disagreements over bathroom schedules.
But she would manage.
She was Arabella Winslow.
She could handle anything.
By the time she reached the second floor, her arms were practically falling off.
She stopped outside the door marked 201 and adjusted her grip on the suitcase.
Voices came from inside.
Loud voices.
Female laughter.
Someone shouted, “JASPER, PUT THAT DOWN!”
Another voice responded, “I’M NOT THE ONE WHO BROKE IT!”
Arabella frowned.
What exactly was happening in there?
She knocked.
Nothing.
She knocked again.
Still nothing.
Finally, she tried the keycard.
The door clicked open.
And she stepped into chaos.
A blonde girl stood on the sofa holding a decorative pillow above her head.
A young man with curly hair was standing on a chair, attempting to retrieve something from the ceiling fan.
Another girl sat cross-legged on the floor, eating chips.
And a tall, handsome young man stood beside the kitchen counter, looking like he was reconsidering every decision that had brought him there.
Everyone turned towards Arabella.
Silence.
Then the blonde girl smiled.
“Oh! You must be the new girl!”
Arabella looked around.
“Yes.”
“Welcome!”
The girl jumped off the sofa and hurried towards her.
“I’m Poppy Kensington.”
She extended her hand.
Arabella shook it.
“Arabella.”
“Beautiful name!”
“Thank you.”
Poppy glanced at the suitcases.
“Those are yours?”
“Unfortunately.”
“Don’t worry. Jasper will help you.”
The curly-haired boy immediately looked offended.
“Why am I always volunteering for unpaid labour?”
“Because you’re useful,” Poppy replied.
“I’m leaving.”
“No, you’re not.”
The girl on the floor laughed.
“I’m Delilah Montgomery, by the way.”
Arabella smiled.
“Nice to meet you.”
“You’re going to love it here.”
The tall guy beside the counter gave a quiet snort.
Delilah turned.
“Beckett!”
“What?”
“Stop discouraging the new girl.”
“I’m not.”
“You literally just laughed.”
“That wasn’t encouragement.”
Arabella looked between them.
She had been inside the building for less than five minutes.
And she was already exhausted.
“Anyway,” Poppy announced, clapping her hands. “Since we’re all here, we should properly introduce ourselves.”
Jasper finally climbed down from the chair.
“Thank goodness. My funeral can wait.”
Poppy ignored him.
“That’s Jasper Whitmore. He’s our resident comedian, professional troublemaker, and occasional disaster.”
“Thank you for the lovely introduction.”
“That’s Beckett Sullivan. He doesn’t talk much, but don’t worry. He’s harmless.”
Beckett raised his cup.
“Unfortunately.”
“And I’m Delilah.”
Arabella smiled.
“I remember.”
“Good. Now, you should meet the other person who shares this residence.”
Arabella frowned.
“Other person?”
Poppy’s smile widened.
“Yes. Our very own prince of bad decisions.”
A familiar voice came from behind her.
“That’s a rather flattering introduction.”
Arabella froze.
No.
Absolutely not.
She turned slowly.
Standing in the doorway was the same guy who had been attacked by her coffee cup.
Kieran Ashford.
His shirt had been changed.
His hair was still messy.
And that irritating smile was back.
He looked at Arabella.
Arabella looked at him.
Poppy glanced between them.
“Oh! You two have met?”
Kieran slipped his hands into his pockets.
“Quite memorably.”
Arabella closed her eyes.
“Please tell me you’re joking.”
Kieran laughed.
“Unfortunately, princess, I’m not.”
Poppy’s mouth fell open.
“Princess?”
Delilah immediately sat up.
“Wait. What happened?”
“Nothing,” Arabella answered quickly.
Kieran leaned against the doorframe.
“She poured coffee on me.”
Jasper gasped dramatically.
“On your first day? That’s romantic.”
“It’s not romantic,” Arabella snapped.
Kieran looked amused.
“She also tried to murder me with a suitcase.”
“I DID NOT!”
Everyone burst into laughter.
Arabella wanted the floor to swallow her.
Poppy wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
“Oh, this is going to be fun.”
Arabella looked at her.
“What’s going to be fun?”
Poppy smiled.
“Living here.”
Twenty minutes later, everyone had gathered in the common room.
Arabella sat on the edge of the sofa, holding a glass of water.
She had discovered three important things.
One, Poppy talked enough for six people.
Two, Jasper was incapable of taking anything seriously.
And three, Kieran Ashford had an irritating habit of looking at her whenever someone mentioned romance.
She was beginning to dislike him.
Actually, she was beginning to dislike him quite a lot.
“So,” Delilah said, leaning forward. “Are you seeing anyone?”
Arabella nearly choked on her water.
“What?”
“Are you dating someone?”
“No.”
“Why?”
Arabella blinked.
“Why?”
“Yes. You’re pretty. Surely someone has asked you out.”
Arabella shrugged.
“I have other priorities.”
Kieran laughed from the armchair.
“She’s married to her textbooks.”
Arabella turned.
“And you’re married to your ego.”
Jasper slapped his knee.
“That’s two points to the new girl!”
Kieran placed a hand over his chest.
“Ouch.”
“Good.”
Poppy giggled.
“I like her.”
“Thank you,” Arabella said.
“Although I think you and Kieran would make an interesting couple.”
Arabella nearly dropped her glass.
“No.”
Kieran raised his eyebrows.
“That was quick.”
“Because the answer is obvious.”
“You’re afraid?”
“Of what?”
“Falling for me.”
The entire room went quiet.
Arabella stared at him.
Then she laughed.
Not a nervous laugh.
A genuine, disbelieving laugh.
“Please. I’d rather fall down the stairs.”
Jasper covered his mouth.
Delilah looked delighted.
Poppy whispered, “Oh, this is better than television.”
Kieran leaned forward.
“Careful, princess. You might change your mind.”
Arabella stood.
“I think I need to unpack.”
She grabbed her suitcase.
Jasper immediately jumped up.
“Allow me.”
For the first time since arriving, Arabella smiled genuinely.
“Thank you.”
Jasper took the suitcase.
Then he attempted to lift it.
His smile disappeared.
“What exactly did you pack in here? Bricks?”
Arabella folded her arms.
“Books.”
“How many?”
“Some.”
“Some?”
“Twenty-three.”
Jasper stared at her.
“You’re joking.”
“No.”
He looked towards the ceiling.
“Lord, give me strength.”
Everyone laughed again.
Even Beckett smiled.
And for a brief moment, Arabella found herself smiling too.
Perhaps Dorm 201 wouldn’t be so terrible.
Perhaps these people would become her friends.
Perhaps she could survive university without getting involved in unnecessary drama.
Then Kieran spoke.
“By the way, Arabella.”
She turned.
“What?”
He pointed towards the coffee stain still faintly visible on his discarded shirt, which he had carried downstairs.
“You owe me a new shirt.”
She stared at him.
“Absolutely not.”
“Then I’ll accept compensation in another form.”
“What form?”
He smiled.
“Dinner.”
Arabella shook her head.
“Keep dreaming.”
Kieran winked.
“Already am.”
She walked away before he could say anything else.
But she heard Poppy whisper behind her.
“Oh, they’re definitely going to fall in love.”
Arabella stopped.
Turned.
And announced loudly:
“IF ANYONE IN THIS ROOM THINKS I’M GOING TO DATE THAT BOY, THEY NEED TO GET THEIR HEAD EXAMINED!”
Kieran’s laughter followed her all the way down the corridor.
Later That EveningArabella had finally unpacked.
Her room was neat, her clothes were arranged, and her books were stacked carefully on the desk.
She had even managed to decorate her bedside table with a small flower vase.
Everything was perfect.
Until her phone vibrated.
An unknown number appeared on the screen.
Unknown Number: Hello, Princess.
Arabella frowned.
Arabella: Who is this?
Unknown Number: The victim of your coffee attack.
Her eyes widened.
Kieran.
How had he gotten her number?
Arabella: How did you get this number?
Kieran: Poppy.
Arabella immediately opened her contacts.
She was going to have a serious conversation with that girl.
Another message arrived.
Kieran: By the way, I accept your apology.
Arabella: I didn’t apologise.
Kieran: You will.
Arabella: Goodnight, Ashford.
Kieran: Sweet dreams, princess.
She tossed her phone onto the bed.
“Annoying human being.”
A second later, her phone vibrated again.
Kieran: And Arabella?
She picked it up reluctantly.
Arabella: What now?
Kieran: I think we’re going to have fun together.
She stared at the message.
Then typed her response.
Arabella: I’d rather repeat my first-year exams.
She put her phone on silent.
Across the corridor, Kieran stared at his screen and laughed.
“Interesting girl.”
He placed his phone on the bedside table.
He had met plenty of girls at Westbridge University.
Girls who laughed at his jokes, girls who flirted with him, and girls who tried too hard to get his attention.
But Arabella Winslow?
She had poured coffee on him, insulted him repeatedly, and walked away without giving him a second glance.
For some reason, he wanted to see her again.
And that was going to be a problem.
Because Dorm 201 had just welcomed its newest resident.
And neither of them was prepared for what living together would bring.
