CHAPTER 1: Arrivals and misfires

James and Mia s families were close since they were young but unfortunately Mia was a lesbian

James Lambert arrived at campus early, like he always did when his thoughts were already too loud to ignore.

He saw her (Mia) before anything else.

Mia Adam stood near the entrance, talking to someone on her phone, relaxed like the world didn’t have expectations pressing on it.

Same face. Same presence. Same calm that had been there since childhood.

James had grown up beside her. Same schools. Same holidays. Their families were close enough that “visiting” didn’t exist—it was just walking into the other house.

He had liked her for years.

And she was a lesbian.

So he did what people do when reality refuses negotiation: he kept it quiet and normal and completely unsolvable.

Mia spotted him and smiled immediately.

“James!”

He smiled back. Controlled. Familiar. Safe.

Inside, nothing was safe.

Before he could say anything, someone collided into his side with far too much enthusiasm.

“JAMES!”

Kelvin Jackson.

Cheerful, bright, always moving like he had somewhere important to be even when he didn’t. The kind of person who made other people notice the room without trying.

Kelvin had dreamed of becoming an idol since he was young. He studied choreography online, practiced makeup in private, and trained his body like he was preparing for a stage that didn’t exist yet.

He also liked Lisa from BLACKPINK with the kind of devotion that bordered on motivational.

More importantly, he had once confessed to James in middle school.

James had said no. Politely. Clearly. Straight.

Kelvin had accepted it out loud.

Inside, he had not.

Now, years later, he still looked at James like something unfinished.

Like a sentence paused mid-word.

Across the walkway stood Lily Walle.

She noticed Kelvin immediately.

Not his voice first. Not his personality.

His softness.

The way he moved. The way he smiled. The way he didn’t fit the shape people expected him to fit.