𝗢𝗹𝗱 𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀. 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗯𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀. 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗮 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗳𝘂𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗮𝗱𝗲. For 𝗜𝘀𝗮𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗮 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗻, university was supposed to be a clean slate─a chance to leave the past behind and step into the future she's worked so hard for. But that plan quickly unravels when she discovers that her new dorm neighbor is none other than 𝗘𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗿─her childhood friend, her best friend's brother, and the boy who somehow manages to get under her skin no matter how many years pass. Their encounters are constant, almost inevitable. A sharp remark in the hallway. A lingering glance across the library. An argument that feels far too familiar. Isabella convinces herself that avoiding him is the only way forward... until she finds her heart set on someone else: 𝗕𝗹𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝘀, one of Ethan's closest friends. In a moment of hesitation, she turns to the one person she never thought she would─Ethan. Against her better judgment, they strike a deal: his help in exchange for her trust. But as their late-night conversations deepen, and as the lines between resentment and something softer begin to blur, Isabella starts to realize that love doesn't always arrive the way you expect. Sometimes, it's been standing beside you all along. ───── ‼️ : Cover was inspired by the if love series and I am crediting to Ana Huang.