Rival Lovers

| 001 |

Chapter 1 : Parties, Kisses, Mistakes

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The small, red fluffy couch beneath me was sinking slightly under my weight. I shifted, trying to get comfortable, though the swirling chaos of the party made that nearly impossible. The dorm room was a kaleidoscope of flickering colored lights, pulsing to the beat of the music. Bodies pressed together in the cramped space, dancing, swaying, making out. Heat radiated from the crowd, mingling with the tangy scent of cheap alcohol and faint traces of cologne and perfume.

I tilted my head back, letting my gaze sweep the room, searching for something—anything—to hold my attention. The energy in the room was electric, yet I felt detached, a spectator more than a participant.

Leaning casually against the far wall, some random guy stood out like a beacon. Tall, with dark hair that curled just slightly at the edges and eyes that locked onto mine with unsettling precision, my lips curved into a grin. He was a new face.

I didn't hesitate. Confidence surged through me as I rose from the couch, smoothing the hem of my dress. My heels clicked against the cheap tile floor as I sauntered toward him, weaving through the crowd with practiced ease. The corners of his mouth twitched upward as I drew closer, meeting me halfway, his eyes never leaving mine.

"Hey there," I purred, leaning in to ensure my voice carried over the pounding music.

"Looking for some company?"

His grin widened, and I caught the flicker of intrigue in his expression. "Always, especially from someone like you."

I chuckled, the thrill of the moment rushing through me.

Guys were so predictable, their desires practically written on their foreheads. They wanted one thing, and I was more than happy to give it to them—on my terms. A little dance, a little fun, and I'd leave them craving more while I moved on, untouched and unapologetic.

"Come on," I said, grabbing his hand.

The music shifted to an upbeat track, and I pulled him into the thrumming mass of dancers. The crowd swallowed us, the beat commanding our movements. I let the rhythm guide me as I pressed my body against his, my hips swaying, a slow grind that drew a sharp inhale from him. His hands hovered, hesitant at first, but quickly found their place on my waist.

Adrenaline coursed through me. This was my escape—the reckless abandon of the night, the way the music drowned out every worry, every thought. I moved with confidence, losing myself in the dance, in the fleeting electricity between us. It was intoxicating, this game of attraction and control.

"You're a good dancer," he murmured, his lips brushing close to my ear.

I pulled back just enough to meet his gaze, smirking. "So I've been told."

"Are you good in other departments?" he teased, his cocky grin earning a raised brow from me.

I trailed my fingers lightly down his palm, letting them linger. "Wanna find out?"

His breath hitched, and he nodded. "Definitely."

Moments later, we slipped out of the crowd, our hands intertwined as we sought privacy. The hallway was dimly lit, the noise from the party muffled as we made our way to the bathroom. It wasn't glamorous, but neither of us seemed to care. The door clicked shut behind us, and in an instant, we collided—lips, hands, bodies moving together in a frenzied rush of passion. It was messy, breathless, and fleeting—exactly what I wanted.

When we emerged, our faces flushed and clothes slightly askew, I felt the familiar pang of detachment creeping back in. He was already a memory in the making, just another entry in a long list of distractions. The party raged on, but my restlessness remained.

I fished my phone from my pocket, its screen lighting up with a notification. The message wasn't from a friend or a hookup. It was from the college housing office.

**URGENT: Roommate Mix-Up.**

I tapped the message open, my stomach sinking as I read the details. Due to some bureaucratic mistake, my room assignment had been changed—and I now had a roommate. Not just any roommate. Lucas Reed.

The name alone made my blood boil. He was the campus's golden boy, a heartbreaker with a reputation as notorious as my own. We were alike in all the worst ways—charismatic, competitive, and unapologetically selfish when it came to getting what we wanted. It was the kind of similarity that bred rivalry, not friendship.

We didn't just dislike each other. We loathed each other.

Everyone else seemed to think our hatred was funny, chalking it up to the fact that we were so alike. "You two should be best friends," they'd say with an annoying laugh. "You're practically twins."

Twins? Hardly.

Lucas and I were both players in the game of love, but we played on opposite teams. He broke girls' hearts; I broke boys'. And when he went after one of my friends, I made it my mission to retaliate. It was an unspoken rule—one I upheld with gleeful vengeance. He returned the favor, of course, targeting my inner circle with his infuriating charm.

The thought of sharing a dorm with him made my skin crawl. How could I possibly tolerate living with someone who drove me insane? Someone who'd probably plaster his stupid face all over our shared space and fill it with his cologne and gym equipment?

I groaned, shoving my phone back into my pocket. The party had lost its appeal entirely. All I could think about was the unavoidable clash waiting for me in my new living arrangement.

As I navigated the crowded halls, heading toward the dorm I'd soon have to call home, unease settled in my chest. This wasn't just a mix-up. It was the beginning of something I hadn't signed up for—a game with higher stakes, a rivalry brought to life in a way I wasn't ready for.

Lucas Reed was about to invade my life, and I had no idea if I'd survive it.

But one thing was certain: I wasn't going down without a fight.