Chapter 1 -The Boy I Was Warned About

College was supposed to feel exciting. New beginnings, new people, a fresh start.

But as I stood at the entrance of the campus with my suitcase digging into my palm, all I felt was nervous.

“Relax, Addy. You look like you’re about to attend your own funeral,” my brother laughed, slinging an arm around my shoulders.

I shot him a look. “This is my first day. I’m allowed to be scared.”

“You’re not scared,” he corrected. “You’re overthinking. As usual.”

I sighed, adjusting the strap of my bag. Maybe he was right. I had always been like this—quiet, cautious, watching the world instead of rushing into it. Moving in with my brother while starting college felt safe, familiar. Still, the campus felt huge, loud, and overwhelming.

“You’ll be fine,” he said gently. “And you’re not alone. My friends are coming over later. You’ll meet them.”

That made my stomach twist. New people were harder than new places.

That evening, the apartment filled with voices—deep laughter, teasing insults, the sound of male confidence that made me retreat instinctively to the corner of the couch. My brother introduced them one by one. I smiled politely, nodded when spoken to, and tried to blend into the background.

Then he walked in.

The air changed. I noticed it before I even looked up.

He was tall, broad-shouldered, dressed in black like it was his natural color. His presence was heavy, commanding without effort. When I finally lifted my gaze, my breath caught.

Striking blue eyes. Sharp jaw. A face that looked carved from trouble.

This was him.

Caden.

I had heard about him long before today.

My brother had mentioned him casually—his best friend, the arrogant one, the badboy everyone talked about. The guy who never stayed long, never got close, never cared enough to explain himself.

Stay away from him, Addy, my brother had once joked. He’s bad news.

But no warning could have prepared me for the way Caden looked at me.

Not rude. Not curious.

Careful.

His eyes met mine for a brief second—and something twisted low in my chest. Heat. Awareness. A strange pull I didn’t understand.

Then his expression hardened.

“Didn’t know you had company,” he said to my brother, his voice low and rough.

“My sister,” my brother replied proudly. “Addeline.”

My name sounded different when Caden heard it. I could tell because his jaw clenched, like it cost him something to acknowledge me.

“Nice to meet you,” I said softly.

For a moment, he didn’t respond. Just stared—like he was trying to solve a problem he didn’t want.

“Yeah,” he finally muttered. “You too.”

That was it. No smile. No handshake. Nothing.

He moved away, leaning against the wall with crossed arms, his attention fixed anywhere but me. Yet I felt him watching. Always watching.

The others joked, laughed, talked over one another. Caden stayed silent. Distant. Untouchable.

And still… every time I glanced his way, I found his eyes on me.

Not hungry. Not playful.

Wary.

As if I were something dangerous.

Later, when one of the guys accidentally bumped into me, I stumbled. Before I could fall, a strong hand caught my arm.

Caden.

His grip was firm but gentle, like he was afraid of hurting me. I looked up, startled, my heart racing.

“You okay?” he asked quietly.

I nodded. “Yes. Thank you.”

He released me instantly, stepping back like the contact burned. His eyes darkened, something unreadable flickering across his face.

“Be careful,” he said gruffly. “This place isn’t as safe as it looks.”

Then he walked away.

I stood there, confused, my arm still warm where he had touched me.

That night, as I lay in bed, I couldn’t stop thinking about him. The way he avoided me. The way he watched me. The way his voice softened only once—just for me.

I had been warned about Caden.

But no one warned me how deeply I would feel his presence.

And somewhere down the hall, Caden stared at the ceiling, jaw tight, breaking the first rule he had ever made for himself.

Don’t get attached.

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