My first crush (COMPLETED)√

PART 2-Chapter 48: Pink

"Nice meeting you," I said, still smiling.

"Same here."

Just then, my phone buzzed. A video call popped up.

"Ah, I need to take this. It's my sis," I said, tapping the screen to answer.

"Okay."

"Hey, Sharon! Have you started lectures yet?" Carly asked, her face lighting up.

"Not yet." I glanced around as students began trickling into the lecture hall, their chatter filling the space.

Carly's eyes, however, weren't on the students — they were glued to the guy sitting next to me.

"Oh my! Sharon... who is this hot guy? Is he your second? He's so handsome!" she exclaimed, practically bouncing in her seat.

The guy raised a hand, a shy but confident smile spreading across his face. "Hey."

"Hey! I'm Carly, her sweet sis. You're so handsome!" she gushed, eyes sparkling with admiration.

"Shut up, Carl... he can hear you," I murmured, trying to hide my embarrassment.

She just mimicked me, smirking mischievously.

"It's no big deal. Girls die for this body," he said smoothly, flexing subtly.

"Now that's what I'm talking about," Carly winked with smirk creeping in.

I rolled my eyes and turned back to Carly, lowering my voice. "What did you actually call me for, huh? Can we stop with the... commentary?"

"You know he's more handsome than Stephen," she whispered, nodding seriously, her grin mischievous.

"Carly! What did you actually call me for? We're about to start!" I pressed, exasperated.

"Oh, sorry... you hate it, don't you? But who cares. He's just so..."

I glared at her. Seriously! What the hell?

"Whatevs. Anyway," she continued, a little more serious, "you have a surprise waiting in your dorm. Not exactly what you'd like to see."

"What is it? Tell me!" I leaned closer, curiosity piqued.

"Can't. You need to see it yourself."

"Then what's the point of calling me? Get the—" I started, but she cut me off.

"Wait! Don't hang up! Just one more peek," Carly begged.

"I will." I hung up, exhaling. "Jeez... I'm so sorry about that. She gets like this sometimes."

"There's no need to apologize," he said, smiling softly.

I found myself staring at him. His blue eyes were mesmerizing, and that smile... it tugged at something I didn't want to admit. His tattoo curling along his right arm only made him look more intriguing. Handsome, yes, but it's not like I date Stephen because he's handsome, right? I shook my head sharply, trying to push the thought away.

Lectures started, and they were great — engaging, challenging, just what I expected. By the time class ended, Aaron insisted on walking me back to my dorm. I realized I had even forgotten to call Stephen in the chaos.

We said our goodbyes at the dorm building. I watched him leave, a small flutter in my chest, and then turned toward my new home.

I dropped my bags with a soft thud, staring at the explosion of pink surrounding me. Pink bed sheets, pink curtains, even pink cushions — it was like stepping into a candy-colored nightmare. I pinched the bridge of my nose and muttered, "Why does my mom insist on turning every place I live into a pastel prison?"

Allison laughed, a bright, easy sound that bounced off the walls. "Looks like she didn't get that memo. But hey... welcome to your new home, princess."

I managed a small smile. "Yeah... thanks."

She plopped down on the bed opposite mine, flipping her hair over her shoulder. "Seriously, though, I'm Allison. You can call me Ali if you want. And don't worry — we'll fix some of this pink later." She gave a conspiratorial wink.

I raised an eyebrow, amused despite myself. "Fix the pink? You mean... repaint everything?"

She laughed again. "Not exactly. But maybe we can tone it down a bit. Don't worry, you'll survive. Anyway, first rule of dorm life: make it yours. And second rule: don't let anyone, I mean anyone, mess with your stuff."

I nodded, suddenly feeling a little more at home. "Okay... makes sense."

I started unpacking my things — textbooks, notebooks, clothes — carefully arranging them in drawers and closets. My mind, however, kept wandering back to Aaron. That bright smile, those piercing blue eyes... the way he had seemed so confident yet easygoing. I shook my head, scolding myself. Focus, Sharon. You're not here to flirt. You're here to study. Stephen exists, remember?

But then Stephen popped into my thoughts too — his intense gaze, the way he made my heart race... even after two months, the memory of him was always there, like a shadow I couldn't shake. Don't be ridiculous. Aaron's just a classmate. Chill, Sharon.

Allison clapped her hands. "Done with unpacking yet? Or are you lost in your daydreams already?"

I laughed softly, embarrassed. "Maybe a little... I just... okay, I need to figure out where everything goes."

She walked over and helped me adjust some things. "So... tell me. How's life outside dorms? Any interesting stories? Drama? Secrets?" Her eyes sparkled with curiosity, clearly eager to get a friend's scoop.

I hesitated, unsure what to say. "Uh... well, I had a... complicated summer, I guess. Family stuff, you know?"

She tilted her head, intrigued. "Complicated is my favorite. Spill."

I bit my lip, debating how much to reveal. Do I tell her about Stephen? Or the whole... messy family drama? "Let's just say... I've had to deal with some intense stuff. But I'm moving on. Trying to focus on school."

Allison nodded sagely. "Fair enough. I get it. But just so you know... dorm life is perfect for distractions. New friends, parties, random fun... you'll adjust."

I smirked, thinking of Stephen and Aaron both in my head at once. Distractions, huh?

The room felt warmer now, less intimidating, even with all the pink. It wasn't perfect, but it could work. I put the last textbook on my shelf and leaned back against the wall, sighing. "Okay... I think I can survive here."

Allison laughed again. "See? Already improving. Now... let's plan something. How about decorating a little? I can tone down the pink, you can tell me what's absolutely necessary. Deal?"

I nodded. "Deal."

As she started laying out ideas for rearranging the room, I felt a flutter in my chest — excitement, nerves, and maybe something else. Something that had to do with the handsome guy from class and the intense, possessive Stephen I couldn't seem to escape in my thoughts.

Dorm life had officially begun.