**Ariana**'**s** **POV**

Ahhh, why is this so hard?” I groaned, dropping my pen on the table. “I’ve been trying to finish this assignment for the last hour and it’s still not done. I swear, I hate teachers who give this kind of work when they know we have to study too. It’s so irritating!”

“Aaahhh!”

I was still busy complaining when suddenly someone covered my eyes from behind.

I froze for a second.

“Guess whooo?” a familiar voice sang.

“Avaaa, I know it’s you,” I said immediately, pulling her hands away.

She laughed, completely unbothered, and as usual, walked into my room like it was hers. My best friend. The one I loved the most… and the one who had zero concept of personal space.

“Soo, Miss Nerd, still studying?” she teased, jumping straight onto my bed.

“Girl, I’m just trying to finish the assignment that old lady gave us,” I said, clearly annoyed.

“Wait, seriously? I thought we had more time for that,” she said, sitting up in shock.

“No. That old lady wants it tomorrow, or else we won’t be allowed to sit for exams.”

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. I loved studying, I really did. But this? Useless assignments that felt like a complete waste of time? I hated them.

“OH MY GOD, I HAVE REALLY GOOD NEWS!” Ava suddenly screamed.

“What, you’re finally going to study?” I replied sarcastically.

“Nooo, even better!” she said dramatically. “Guess who’s coming to our university?”

“First of all, stop shouting—I can hear you perfectly fine. And second, no. I have no idea, and I don’t care.”

Ava was the complete opposite of me. Loud, social, an extrovert in every sense. She was also the first friend I made at university—the one who approached me when I was too busy avoiding everyone. She somehow knew everything about everyone.

“BROO, that famous young actor and singer, Luka! Can you imagine?” she practically screamed.

“So what?” I said, unimpressed.

“What do you mean ‘so what’?” she stared at me like I’d lost my mind.

“I mean exactly that,” I shrugged. “He’s probably just another arrogant, rich, spoiled brat. Honestly, I’m not interested at all.”

Ava stared at me like I had just insulted her entire existence.

“Not interested?” she repeated slowly. “You’re not interested in Luka?”

“Yes,” I said, completely calm. “That’s exactly what I said.”

She let out a dramatic gasp, falling back onto my bed. “This is a crime. I’m friends with a criminal.”

“Good. Now can this criminal finish her assignment in peace?”

“No,” she said immediately, sitting up again. “You don’t understand. This is Luka we’re talking about. People literally go crazy for him.”

“People need better hobbies.”

“Ariana!” she whined, throwing a pillow at me.

I caught it easily, glaring at her. “What?”

“At least pretend to be excited.”

“Why would I pretend?”

“Because your best friend is excited!” she said, pointing at herself like that explained everything.

I sighed. “Okay, fine. I’m happy for you.”

“That was the driest response I’ve ever heard in my life.”

“Take it or leave it.”

She crossed her arms, clearly not satisfied. “You haven’t even seen him properly, have you?”

“I’ve seen enough,” I muttered. “Rich, famous, probably full of himself.”

“You don’t know that,” she argued.

“I don’t need to. People like him are all the same.”

For a second, she went quiet, studying me.

Then a slow smile spread across her face.

“Ohhh, I get it now.”

I narrowed my eyes. “Get what?”

“You don’t hate him,” she said, leaning closer. “You’re just scared.”

“Scared?” I almost laughed. “Of what?”

“That you might actually like him.”

I stared at her.

Then threw the pillow straight at her face.

“Get out.”

She burst out laughing, dodging me as she stood up. “You’re in denial, Ariana. I’m telling you, the moment you see him—boom. Gone.”

“Not happening.”

“We’ll see,” she sang, heading toward the door. “Also, finish your assignment fast. Tomorrow is going to be fun.”

“Fun for you,” I muttered.

She winked. “Exactly.”

And just like that, she left.

I looked back at my assignment, trying to focus again.

But somehow…

Her words stayed.

I shook my head, pushing the thought away.

Yeah.

Definitely not happening.

**Luka's POV**

The music was loud, the lights too bright, and the table in front of us was a mess of empty glasses.

Perfect.

If I had to start college tomorrow, the least I could do was enjoy tonight.

I still didn’t get it.

Why college? Why now? I already had everything people went there for—money, recognition, a career that was doing just fine. But my mom wanted it, and when she wanted something, arguing didn’t really work.

“Tomorrow’s your first day, right?” Timothy asked, nudging me slightly.

“Yeah,” I said, staring down at my drink.

Lee let out a low whistle. “Our rockstar… going to college. Never thought I’d see that.”

“I don’t want to go,” I admitted. “But she insisted. So here I am.”

“You might actually like it,” Timothy said. “Normal life for once. New people, new space.”

Lee smirked. “Or at least get a girlfriend out of it.”

I scoffed softly. “Not happening.”

“Still stuck on that?” Timothy raised a brow.

“I’m not ‘stuck,’” I said, leaning back. “I just don’t trust it. Most people don’t see me. They see what I have.”

“Not everyone’s like that,” Lee said.

“Maybe,” I shrugged. “I’m not looking to find out.”

They didn’t push after that. They knew me well enough.

—

By the time we left, I’d had more to drink than I should have.

The night air hit me hard the moment I stepped outside, cool against my skin, but it didn’t really help. My head felt heavy, and the ground wasn’t exactly… stable.

“Come with us,” Timothy said. “Seriously, Luka.”

“I’m fine,” I replied, even though I wasn’t. “I just need some air.”

They didn’t look convinced, but I walked off anyway.

Each step felt slower than the last. The streetlights blurred slightly, stretching into lines when I blinked too long. I ran a hand through my hair, trying to clear my head, but it didn’t do much.

Then I heard a voice.

“Hey… are you okay?”

I looked up.

A girl was standing a few steps away, watching me carefully. Not curious. Not impressed.

Just… concerned.

“You don’t look well,” she said, stepping a little closer. “Do you need help?”

I frowned slightly, trying to focus on her face.

“Why?” I asked, my voice rough. “You planning to kidnap me or something?”

Her expression changed instantly. “What? No. I’m trying to help you.”

I let out a quiet breath, shaking my head. “Right. Sorry.”

She hesitated, then stepped closer anyway. “Can you stand properly?”

“Barely,” I admitted.

For a second, neither of us said anything. Rain started falling, light at first, then heavier, soaking through my clothes within seconds.

She sighed. “You shouldn’t be out like this alone.”

“Probably not,” I muttered.

I don’t know why I did it.

Maybe it was the alcohol.

Maybe it was the way she didn’t look at me like she recognized me.

Maybe it was just… a bad decision.

My hand lifted slightly, brushing against her wrist before I leaned in—

Not a proper kiss. Not intentional.

Just a brief, clumsy moment that shouldn’t have happened.

She pulled back immediately.

“What are you doing?” she said, more shocked than angry now.

That was enough to sober me up a little.

“Sorry,” I said quickly, stepping back. “That was— I didn’t mean to.”

She stared at me, trying to decide whether to be angry or just leave.

I exhaled, running a hand over my face. “Can you… help me get home?”

A pause.

Then she sighed again, softer this time.

“Fine,” she said. “Give me your address.”

I told her.

And as she helped me walk, steadying me when I lost balance, one thought kept repeating in the back of my mind—

She didn’t know who I was.

And for the first time in a long time…

That felt different.

**Ariana's POV**

As I walked home after buying groceries, I glanced up at the sky.

Dark clouds had gathered, and the weather didn’t look good at all. It was definitely going to rain—and of course, I had forgotten my umbrella.

“Great,” I muttered.

Adjusting the bag in my hand, I kept walking until I noticed someone ahead of me.

A guy.

He was stumbling, barely able to walk straight.

Drunk.

I hesitated for a second, then walked toward him. Before I could say anything, he suddenly lost his balance and fell.

“Hey—” I rushed to his side, kneeling beside him and shaking him lightly. “Mister, are you okay? You don’t look fine. Let me help you.”

He slowly looked up at me, his eyes unfocused.

“Hey… are you trying to kidnap me?” he slurred.

I froze.

“What? Are you crazy?” I snapped. “I’m trying to help you and you’re calling me a kidnapper?”

Before I could react—

He leaned forward.

And kissed me.

My mind went completely blank.

I pushed him away immediately, my heart racing. “What are you doing?! I’m helping you and you just kissed me?!”

“Ca… can you send me home?” he mumbled, like nothing had happened.

I stared at him in disbelief.

“Unbelievable,” I muttered. “Fine. Give me your address.”

He told me, barely conscious.

I called a cab, helped him inside, and sent him home.

As the car disappeared, I stood there for a moment, still confused.

“What a careless guy…”

—

That night, even after reaching home and lying in bed, I couldn’t stop thinking about it.

That kiss.

Why did he do that?

I sighed and turned to my side.

Eventually, sleep took over.

—

The next morning, my alarm dragged me out of sleep.

I got ready quickly and somehow managed to reach college on time.

But the moment I stepped inside the campus, something felt… different.

Too many people.

Too much noise.

Students were gathered in groups, whispering, some even rushing toward the main building.

“Luka… he’s here…”

“The rockstar…”

I frowned slightly.

So this is about him.

“ARIANAAA!”

Ava ran toward me, almost out of breath.

“You’re late!”

“I’m on time,” I said. “What’s going on?”

“He’s here!” she said excitedly, grabbing my arm. “Come on!”

Before I could refuse, she dragged me straight into the crowd.

I hated crowds.

Too loud. Too close. No space to breathe.

“Ava, slow down—”

“Just one look!” she insisted.

“I don’t care about—”

And then I saw him.

At first, it was just a glimpse.

A figure surrounded by people, security trying to control the crowd, cameras flashing.

But something about him felt… familiar.

I frowned.

No.

It couldn’t be.

I looked again.

And this time—

Everything clicked.

The rain.

The unsteady steps.

That voice.

My eyes widened slightly.

“That’s…” I whispered.

“That’s Luka,” Ava said, almost squealing. “He’s even more handsome in real life!”

I wasn’t even listening.

That was him.

The same guy from last night.

The one I helped.

The one who—

Before I could finish the thought—

He looked up.

His gaze moved across the crowd.

And then—

It stopped.

On me.

For a second, everything went silent.

He frowned slightly, like he was trying to remember something.

And I knew.

He recognized me.

Not fully.

But enough.

My heart skipped.

Then—

He looked away.

Just like that.

Like I didn’t matter.

Like I was just another face.

I frowned, something about that bothering me more than it should.

“Come on,” Ava said, pulling me again. “We’re going to be late!”

I let her drag me away, but my mind stayed behind.

—

We entered the classroom just before the bell rang.

I barely sat down when Ava hugged me from behind.

“Hey—leave me! I can’t breathe!”

“Oops, sorry!” she laughed.

“It’s okay,” I said. “But why are you so excited?”

“How can you forget? Luka is joining our class today!”

“Oh,” I said. “That.”

“That?” she looked offended.

“Leave him,” I said. “I need to tell you something. Something happened last night—”

The bell rang.

“I’ll tell you later.”

She sighed. “Fine.”

The professor entered.

“Good morning, students. As you know, a new student is joining today. None other than Luka, the rockstar.”

The class buzzed with excitement.

Then—

Knock. Knock.

I turned toward the door.

And there he was.

The same guy.

Standing there like nothing had ever happened.

“Come in, Luka,” the professor said.

“Sorry, sir,” he replied.

“Go find a seat.”

He walked inside.

As he passed by me, his eyes met mine again.

This time, the look lasted a second longer.

Recognition.

Confusion.

Something unspoken.

I looked away first.

This was bad.

Really bad.

He walked past me—

And took the seat right behind mine.

I stared ahead, trying to focus.

But I could feel it.

Everything had changed.

And somehow…

This was only the beginning.