𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏 | 𝙴𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚗, 𝙴𝚝𝚑𝚊-𝙽𝚊𝚟𝚊𝚗?!

The cozy autumn air whipped through my blonde hair, carrying the scent of fallen leaves and the faint aroma of freshly cut grass. I sat on the bleachers, my legs tucked beneath me, engrossed in the pages of "Pride and Prejudice." The loud thump of a football hitting the ground provided a steady beat to my reading, a familiar soundtrack to the afternoon ritual of watching Nessa sketch while the football team practiced.

"Can you imagine, Melody? Getting a clue about your perfect match, and going on a blind date with them? It's like something out of a romantic movie!" Nessa's voice, laced with excitement, pulled me out of my fantasies. Right when Georgina gives Darcy a sly smile after being introduced to Lizzie.

I glanced up, my gaze meeting her hazel eyes. Nessa, with her vibrant ginger hair and a mischievous glint in her eyes, was sketching something for her art class, her charcoal pencil messy across the page.

"It's that time already?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper.

"Yep," Nessa replied, her pencil pausing for a moment. "Campus Cupid. Tonight's the night for the signing up."

The annual "Campus Cupid" event, Lindsville University's matchmaking scheme, had become a beloved tradition. Every year, on the eve of Valentine's Day, students would receive a clue hinting at their perfect match. A chance encounter designed to spark romance amidst the chaos of academic life.

"I can't believe it's almost February," I sighed, closing my book. "This semester has flown by."

It's my last year as a college student, which is kind of like saying it's my last year of eating pizza. You know it's good, but you're not sure if you really need another slice. But hey, studying biology is a blast, only not the kind of blast that makes you want to dance and sing, but the kind that makes you want to pull your hair out and scream at the top of your lungs.

"Maybe you'll get a clue about your perfect match," Nessa teased, her eyes twinkling. "You never know."

I rolled my eyes, but a small part of me couldn't help but wonder. It wasn't like I was actively looking for a boyfriend, even though I've been dying to have a chance with my all-time jock crush.

"Maybe," I said, a playful smile creeping onto my face. "But I'm not holding my breath."

As if on cue, a football soared through the air, landing with a thud just a few feet away from me. I jumped, startled, my book tumbling to the ground.

"What the heck is wrong with you?" I exclaimed with annoyance.

The captain of the football team, 6'3 athletic figure with a mischievous grin, jogged over, his ocean blue eyes twinkling with tease. He took off his helmet, running his hands through his wavy brunette hair.

"Sorry about that," he said, his voice deep and slightly husky, his British accent thick. "Didn't see you there."

"You really didn't?" I retorted, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "I was sitting right here, reading a book. You don't look blind either."

"Well, you're a bit hard to spot," he said, his grin widening. "Maybe you should try wearing a helmet next time. You're a bit of a klutz."

"I'll try to avoid getting hit by your poorly aimed footballs in the future," I countered, picking up my book.

"Hugh!" Nessa's cousin, Erick, called out for him in the field. "Regresa aquí!"

Navan Hugh, my nemesis since grade school. We hated each other ever since his parents moved in our neighborhood at Greece, he made my life a living mess ever since then.

He despised me since day one, all because I outdone him with the summer camp challenge. He ruined my fantasies of having a chance to recreate the scenes from Taylor Swift's "You Belong With Me". Instead of exchanging notes, we threw pebbles at each other's window.

Eventually, they moved out during 8th grade, and my life couldn't get any more peaceful not until I found out he also goes to my dream university. He used to be a geek before, an annoying one too, but I guess he decided to switch up into being a star quarterback after moving out.

Erick, with his usual active energy, practically bounced over to us. "Hey, ladies! You guys going to the party tonight?" He looked at me with a mischievous glint in his eye. "I heard there's going to be a killer DJ. It's going to be fun!"

"Maybe," Nessa said, trying to sound neutral. "We'll see." She was clearly trying to avoid any further interaction with Erick, her annoying cousin. We basically grew up together, all in the same neighborhood.

"Oh, come on, Ness," Erick said, his voice in a playful whine. "Don't be a party pooper. It's going to be epic."

"I'm not sure," Nessa said, glancing at me, trying to gauge my reaction. She knew I was dying to go to the party, especially since Ethan was going to be there. I've been madly in love with him since we were kids but he only sees me as his friend.

"Well, I'm going," Erick said, his smile widening.

"And I'm bringing my best friends." He glanced at Navan, his smirk widening as he saw me glaring at him. "Navan, you coming?"

Navan shrugged; his eyes fixed on me. "Maybe. Depends on who else is going to be there."

Nessa rolled her eyes. "Oh, please," she muttered under her breath. "He's just trying to get a reaction from Mels."

"So, Melody," Erick asked, his voice full of mock seriousness. "What about you? Are you going to join us?"

"I don't know," I said, trying to sound nonchalant. "I have a lot of studying to do."

"Oh, come on, Melody," Erick said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "You're a senior already. You have all the time in the world to study." Hah, not for a biology major, that is.

"Yeah, Melody," Navan chimed in, his voice sounded playful. "Don't be such a party pooper all of a sudden. Don't you know how to have fun?"

I glared at him, my cheeks flushing with heat. There's just something about him that makes me mad in an instant. "You're not exactly known for your good times, Navan," I retorted. "And I'm not sure I want to be associated with your brand of fun."

Navan chuckled, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Oh, come on, Melody," he said with a mocking tone. "You know you can't resist a little bit of excitement."

"I think I'll pass," I said, trying to sound firm. "I'll stick to my books."

Just then, Ethan, who had been listening to our conversation with a mixture of amusement and curiosity, stepped forward. "Hey, guys," 'he said, his voice warm and friendly. "What's going on?"

"We're trying to convince Melody to join us at the party," Erick said. "But she's being a little stubborn."

"Oh, really?" Ethan asked, his gaze shifting from me to Navan. "I didn't know you were going to be there, Navan."

"Yeah, well, now I'm going," Navan said. "And I'm not going to let you have all the fun." He playfully shrugged Ethan's shoulder with a playful smirk drawn on his annoying face.

I had hoped for a chance to impress Ethan, to show him that I was more than just a childhood friend with a crush. But now, Navan was here, throwing a wrench in my plans. And he was clearly trying to make me look bad in front of Ethan.

"Well, I'm going to the party," Ethan said, his gaze fixed on me. "Maybe I'll see you there, Elo." He called me Elo, the nickname my close friends call me, except Navan since he prefers calling me Loly.

He gave me a small smile before turning to Erick and Navan. "Come on, guys," he said. "Let's go."

As they walked away, I felt a pang of disappointment. My chance to talk to Ethan alone was gone. And now, I was stuck with Navan, who seemed determined to make my life a living hell again.

"You're going to pay for this." I said as I stood up.

"I'm looking forward to it." He paused from jogging down the bleachers, and turned to look at me before winking.