The Sum of My Past Mistakes

Chapter 1

The campus was buzzing with the start of the new year. It was one of those perfect sunny January afternoons, and I was just leaving the campus bookstore, holding a textbook I probably wouldn't even open until the last minute. My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I smiled when I saw Melanie's name on the screen. Mel, my cousin and best friend, always had something up her sleeve.
"Hey, Mel! What's up?" I answered, already bracing myself.
"Hey, Jules!" Her voice was way too excited. "Where are you? I need a favor."
I groaned. "I just left the bookstore. What is it this time?"
She gave a playful laugh. "So... Calvin wants to hang out, but I don't want to go alone. Can you come with me?"
"Wait, so you want me to third-wheel?" I teased, already knowing I'd give in. Mel was impossible to say no to.
"Pleaseee?" she begged. "I'll make it up to you, promise! Just come keep me company. It'll be quick, I swear."
"Fine," I sighed, giving in. "Where are you?"
"Meet me outside the boys' dorm in five!" she said, before hanging up.

I slipped my phone back into my pocket, shaking my head with a smile. Only Mel could get me to hang around the boys' dorm just to keep her company. With a sigh, I started heading over.
When I reached the dorm, Melanie was already there, waving like a maniac when she saw me.

"There you are! Thanks for coming, Jules," she said, pulling me into a quick hug.

I crossed my arms, trying to look serious. "You definitely owe me."
She just laughed. "Oh, relax. It'll be quick. Calvin's just coming down."
Right on cue, a tall guy with a messy haircut strolled out of the dorm. He grinned when he saw Mel, wrapping his arms around her.
"Hey, babe." He looked over at me, sizing me up with a friendly smile. "And you must be the famous cousin."
"Guilty as charged," I said, feeling a little awkward under his gaze.
"Nice to finally meet you," he said, nodding politely before turning back to Melanie. "Let's go?"
Melanie shot me an apologetic smile. "Wait here, Jules. I'll be back soon, I promise!"
"Yeah, yeah," I muttered, waving her off. "Go have fun."
She gave me a quick wink, then she and Calvin disappeared into the dorm, leaving me outside on my own. I leaned against the railing, glancing around. The campus felt quiet here, the usual bustle of students replaced by an occasional group passing by. Just as I was getting lost in my thoughts, I heard footsteps approaching. I looked up, expecting to see Melanie and Calvin, but instead, a tall guy with a casual grin was heading straight for me.
"Waiting for someone?" he asked, stopping a few feet away from me. There was a mischievous gleam in his eyes.
"Uh, yeah... my cousin," I replied, feeling my cheeks warm under his steady gaze. "She's visiting someone."
He gave me a crooked smile, clearly amused. "Lucky me, then. I'm Willie." His hand stretched out toward me, and I shook it, surprised at his confidence. "Juliet," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "Nice to meet you, Willie."
"Same here." He didn't let go of my hand right away, and when he did, I could still feel the warmth of his grip. "So, not a fan of the boys' dorm, I take it?"
I laughed, glancing around. "Not exactly. I'm just here to keep my cousin company."
"Well, looks like you've got company now," he said, flashing me that same crooked smile.
I tried not to stare, but there was something about him—something different. He had this confidence, a kind of charm that made me forget about the fact that I was waiting outside a boys' dorm, feeling like a complete outsider. We started talking, and before I knew it, I was laughing at his stories, feeling my nerves slip away with each joke and easy smile he threw my way.
The time flew by, and I didn't even notice Mel and Calvin coming back until Mel nudged me playfully.
"Looks like you made a new friend, Jules!" she teased, giving me a knowing look.
I could feel my cheeks turning pink. "Willie here was just keeping me company."
"Good to see you, man," Calvin said, giving Willie a nod.
"Likewise," Willie replied, then turned back to me. "Guess I'll see you around, Juliet."
I managed a small smile, suddenly nervous again under his gaze. "Yeah... see you around."

Melanie and I started walking back to our dorm, and I could feel her side-glancing at me, trying to hold back her laughter.
"Okay, spill," she said, nudging me with her elbow.
"Spill what?" I asked, trying to sound casual, though my heart was still racing.
"Oh, don't play dumb with me," she laughed. "I saw the way you were looking at each other. He even got your name!"
I rolled my eyes, trying to hide my smile. "He was just... friendly."
Melanie raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "Friendly, huh? Are we talking about the same Willie?"
"He was!" I insisted, though the butterflies in my stomach said otherwise.
We both laughed as we walked, my mind drifting back to those last few moments with Willie. There was something different about him, something that made me wonder if I'd actually see him around.
That night, as I sat in my dorm room, I couldn't stop thinking about him. Willie. There was something about his energy, the way he looked at me with that crooked smile—confident, maybe even a bit arrogant, but somehow charming. I'd met him less than a few hours ago, yet he lingered in my mind, a feeling I couldn't quite shake. I was just about to start reviewing my notes when my phone buzzed on the desk. I glanced down, expecting Melanie, but my heart skipped a beat when I saw his name pop up on the screen.