Chapter 2Wait, I'm My Crush's Crush?

Flynn had a point. But the problem was, when someone acted that familiar with another person and had no sense of boundaries around them, that made it way too easy for others to get the wrong idea.

Back when we started college, Flynn would show up outside the lecture hall from time to time to wait for me after class. We always ate together, and he would walk me back to my dorm at night.

In other people's eyes, we looked just like a couple in the honeymoon phase.

But whenever anyone asked if we were dating, Flynn's face would immediately darken. He would answer with open disgust, "Juliette and I are just friends. We're not in the kind of relationship with lust and desire mixed in."

We had done almost everything a couple could do, but because of his emotional hang-ups, I never dared confess my feelings to him.

Thinking of that, I let out a helpless sigh. Was I really going to stay stuck with him in this "more than friends but not quite lovers" limbo for the rest of my life?

"What are you thinking about? You've been spacing out all day."

Flynn reached out and pressed a finger between my tightly knitted brows. Then, like a magician, he pulled a ticket out from behind his back with his other hand. "This weekend, the campus stadium. I'll see you there."

With that, he went back to his room, leaving me alone in the living room. I turned the slightly crumpled ticket over and over in my hand.

…

On the weekend, the stadium was packed. Holding the VIP ticket Flynn had given me, I walked straight through the VIP entrance and easily made my way into the inner section.

As I turned my head this way and that, looking for my seat, a clear female voice rang out from behind me. "Juliette."

I turned around. A very pretty young woman stood in front of me.

I knew her. She was in Flynn's major and his upperclassman, and she was also one of his many admirers. Her name was Savannah White.

She had really dressed to impress. As she walked over, many of the nearby guys couldn't help but sneak looks at her.

By all accounts, she and I were basically rivals in love, so I didn't want to have too much to do with her.

"What a coincidence. I didn't expect to run into you here." I made small talk while I located my seat number, only to realize—I should've known—I was sitting right next to Savannah.

The atmosphere instantly grew tense.

She glanced at the VIP ticket in my hand, her tone laced with contempt. "I come to every one of Flynn's games, and I'm always in the front-row VIP seats. I honestly didn't expect to end up sitting next to a hick like you."

It was a typical love-rival showdown, and of course, I wasn't about to back down.

"Oh yeah? You probably had to work pretty hard to get your ticket. Flynn gave me mine himself. I didn't even know it was a front-row VIP seat, and I definitely didn't expect to end up sitting next to you."

"You!" Savannah's face turned red with anger, but she quickly pulled herself together.

When she spoke again, her voice carried a hint of sarcasm. "I didn't know you were this shameless, Juliette. Flynn has always seen you as a friend, yet you're out here enjoying the girlfriend treatment."

My expression darkened. "What are you getting at?"

"I like Flynn, too, but I'm not as pathetic as you. I like him openly and honestly, while you're just a coward who hides behind the label of 'friend.' You tail him like a shadow, yet you don't even dare to say how you really feel.

"I'm pretty, and I'm capable. I'm not worse than you in any way. As long as I keep pursuing him and don't give up, he'll eventually be moved by my sincerity. In the end, he'll definitely fall for me."

I listened without interrupting, then replied flatly, "Good luck with that."

My lack of reaction only made her angrier. The hostility in her face grew stronger. She hissed, "What do you think would happen if Flynn found out his best friend was harboring such disgusting feelings for him?"

That made my heart sink. The momentary crack in my composure gave away my guilt, and Savannah's expression turned triumphant. She was about to keep going when a familiar voice cut in.

"Juliette."

Flynn was in his uniform as he walked out from the players' tunnel and into the stands. The instant he spotted me, the icy look on his face melted into pure sunshine.

"Wanna go catch a movie with me after the game?" he asked.

I parted my lips to answer, but Savannah beat me to it. She asked, "Flynn, could we go somewhere private for a bit after the game? I have something I want to tell you."

Her face flushed bright red as she reached for the hem of Flynn's jersey. She didn't need to spell it out—anyone could tell what she wanted to say.

But Flynn didn't give her the time of day. He merely shot her a cold glance, then said, "Sorry. I don't really know you. And from now on, don't talk to me again."

Savannah froze on the spot, all the color draining from her face. This was her first time gathering up the courage to confess to anyone, and it had ended in complete failure.

She'd already heard the rumors—anyone who confessed to Flynn would end up being blocked, deleted, and cut off for good. She'd been unwilling to accept that, though. She'd been willing to gamble on the off-chance that it worked.

Flynn ignored her and instead reached out to ruffle my hair, smiling. "Wait for me in the locker room after the game."

With that, he started to turn away.

"What about Juliette?" Savannah suddenly spoke again, her voice low.

Flynn stopped in his tracks and turned back to look at her, a faint crease between his brows. For the first time, he actually looked her straight in the eye.

"What about Juliette?" he repeated.