Chapter 2: The Deal and the Damage

3

When I got back to the dorm, only Derek was lying on his bed.

He's the anime club president, usually just binge-watches Netflix and reads comics.

His wall was plastered with Funko Pops and movie posters. Even his sheets were printed with anime girls.

As soon as he saw me, he took off his headphones and grinned:

"Marcus, wasn't my idea awesome?"

His grin was so smug I wanted to knock it off his face. He looked like a kid who just aced his AP Chem exam.

I was furious, smacked him on the head.

"Awesome my ass! I almost died because of you!"

My hand bounced off his thick hair, but it felt satisfying. Derek winced, but kept grinning.

Today's crazy idea was exactly Derek's doing.

Last week when Natalie came to find me, she happened to bump into Caleb taking out the trash.

She'd been chatting with me excitedly, but after that, she started asking about Caleb.

I've been through this countless times.

Ever since school started and I was assigned a dorm with Caleb, it's like I'm cursed.

Any girl who has a crush on me ends up admiring him.

And Caleb, the eye of the storm, is always immune, living like a desireless monk.

He always seemed above the drama, never letting anything ruffle his feathers.

After I vented to Derek, he patted his chest and promised he had a way to make all the girls stay away from Caleb.

He practically swore on his favorite manga collection, like it was the ultimate solution.

Now look, not only did Caleb turn the tables on me, but no girl will bother with me anymore.

I let out a long, frustrated sigh, flopping into my chair.

Classic cut-off-your-nose-to-spite-your-face move, I thought bitterly.

I ruffled my hair irritably.

My fingers tangled in the mess, wishing it could wipe away my regret.

If I could do it all over again, I'd strangle him first!

The more I thought, the more annoyed I got, so I dragged over a chair and started browsing the campus forum.

The glow from the laptop screen lit up my sour mood. Yik Yak was buzzing, Reddit threads spun up, and an anonymous confessions IG had already posted a blurry screenshot.

On the homepage, the photo of me and Caleb kissing was front and center.

A blurry screenshot, mouths pressed together, like something out of a romance fanfic.

But the comments below were even harsher than before.

"Two guys kissing in public, disgraceful!"

"Damn, my eyes are burning, reported."

"Don't want to see them in class tomorrow, agree with me, reply."

"Isn't Caleb the real problem? Always acting high and mighty, but in private he's disgusting."

"He's just a player messing with people's feelings, otherwise why would Marcus howl like that in public?"

"+1, feel bad for Marcus and Natalie, two-timing scumbag."

Probably because he has so many admirers, most usernames were cursing Caleb.

The hate was piling up, usernames I'd never seen before all dogpiling.

I scrolled, frowning at the increasingly out-of-control replies.

The negativity made my stomach churn. I hadn't expected this kind of backlash.

I wanted to vent, but I never meant for him to get cursed for nothing. I wanted him humiliated, not harmed.

Besides, to be fair, Caleb is cold, but he's pretty good to me in the dorm.

He always remembers to buy my favorite snacks, and never complains when I leave my stuff everywhere.

We study interior design, and when I don't get the theory, he patiently demonstrates for me over and over.

I'd watch him sketch floor plans on the whiteboard, explaining Rhino versus SketchUp versus Revit like a chill TA.

I have low blood sugar in the mornings, and every time he comes back from his run, he brings me breakfast.

Usually from that little deli off Savannah Street, always the shrimp dumplings I love, plus a bottle of OJ when I looked extra pale.

Even when I had appendicitis in the middle of the night, he carried me to the hospital without a word.

He barely spoke, just threw on a jacket and drove me to Student Health Services—straight into urgent care—antiseptic stinging my nose the whole time.

......

The more I thought, the worse I felt.

A dryer buzzer went off down the hall, jerking me back to the screen, and the guilt hit like a wave.

Just as I was about to go upstairs to room 504 to clarify with the forum admin, I bumped into Caleb opening the door.

He looked tired, his gaze cool but not angry — just exhausted.

4

"Heh—"

He leaned against the door, frowning and sucking air through his teeth.

His shoulders slumped a little, like he'd had a long day. The fluorescent lights made his hair look extra messy, and I caught the sterile whiff of antiseptic.

Only then did I notice his left hand was wrapped in bandages, with blood seeping through.

A chill ran through me. The sight of blood always made my stomach twist.

"What happened to your hand?"

My voice cracked a little, genuine concern leaking through.

"Where are you rushing to?"

We spoke at the same time, perfectly in sync.

For a second, it almost felt like old times — the banter, the way we could finish each other's sentences.

He looked down at me: "You first."

His eyes searched mine, waiting.

"...Fine."

I gritted my teeth, explained why I was heading out, and apologized for messing with him.

My voice was shaky, but I forced myself to look him in the eye.

After listening, Caleb's face darkened.

His nostrils flared, lips pressing into a thin line, jaw clenched like he was chewing on the words.

His dark eyes stared at me without a word.

The silence stretched, heavy. My palms started to sweat.

I thought, oh no, he's probably going to fight me.

I tried to calculate how quickly I could duck out, just in case.

Though I'm pretty strong, last time in the fitness test he beat me by an A+.

His push-ups were double mine. I'd never admit it out loud, but he was the real athlete.

If we really fight now and I don't have a broom or clothes rack, I'm not his match.

After thinking a bit, I rubbed my hands and added:

My nerves were shot, so I tried to joke my way out, hoping he'd laugh.

"It's my fault. As long as you forgive me, I'll take any punishment, whatever you want!"

"Oh, whatever?"

He lifted his eyelids, glanced at me calmly, "Then don't ask the admin to post."

His words threw me off, but I could hear the tired edge in his voice.

I was stunned: "N-not post?"

"Mm," he nodded, "I don't want to date right now, so let them keep misunderstanding."

"Of course, if you're uncomfortable..."

I slapped my thigh: "No, no, not uncomfortable! Not at all!"

My cheeks burned, but I forced a grin. Anything to keep the peace.

Just being Caleb's shield, I owe him anyway.

"Okay, then it's hard on you for this half year."

Caleb clapped me on the shoulder.

His hand was firm, his touch surprisingly gentle for someone so stoic.

Seeing him forgive me so easily, I felt like I'd received amnesty.

Relief flooded me, like when a prof gives you an extension on a paper.

I got all fawning, carefully asking about his injury.

Caleb lowered his eyes.

His lashes cast shadows over his cheeks, hiding whatever he was really feeling.

"You pushed me and I lost balance, hit the flower bed."

"Got a few stitches at Student Health—urgent care—just can't get it wet or lift heavy stuff. Nothing serious, don't worry."

His voice was matter-of-fact, like it didn't bother him at all.

He shoved a packed lunch into my hand and went inside without looking back.

"Brought you lunch, eat while it's hot."

The box was warm, still steaming. I stared at it, heart pounding.

Three sentences, and my guilt hit its peak.

I heard my own voice ring out:

"Caleb, don't worry!"

My words echoed in the empty hallway—some RA down the corridor yelled "Quiet hours!" even though it was barely late afternoon.

"From today on, I'll take care of everything for you!"

His voice carried an ambiguous smile, drifting into my ears.

"You said it."

"Don't regret it later."

I almost choked on the anticipation, wondering what exactly I'd signed up for—and why six months felt like forever during internship season and the back half of the semester. Sure, he'd get some peace from ambush confessions to focus on studio hours; I'd eat the rep hit and a flood of awkward DMs.