Meilin's POV
The chilly wind nipped at my cheeks, and I tugged the sleeves of my hoodie over my fingers, clutching the warmth. Ava walked ahead with Austin, bickering in a way that was definitely-not-just-friends. Her laughter echoed, but I barely heard it.
Because Theo had his arm draped casually—yet possessively—over my shoulders.
He didn't say anything. Just walked beside me like he belonged there. Like I wasn't practically melting under his touch or screaming internally over how close he was.
His fingers brushed my upper arm every so often, thumb tracing lazy, invisible circles through the fabric of my hoodie. I didn't dare look at him. I didn't trust my face not to give everything away.
"I thought you said you'd stop smoking," I mumbled, more to distract myself than to lecture.
He chuckled, low and gravelly, like the sound of sin wrapped in silk. "Didn't light it, did I?"
"You were going to."
"But I didn't. Because someone thinks I'm better than that."
I didn't reply. I didn't need to. The fact that he remembered—even a tiny offhand comment—made my heart clench.
"Cold?" he asked suddenly.
I nodded.
He pulled me in closer. Just like that. Like I was something to protect. "You're small. You need more layers."
"I have layers," I protested weakly.
He glanced down, smirking. "Cute ones, but still not enough."
My face flushed.
Behind us, Ava's laughter spiked again. She and Austin were a few steps ahead, clearly lost in their own world.
Theo leaned down, his voice a murmur near my ear. "You know they're probably making bets on how long it takes before I kiss you."
My breath caught. "T-Theo—"
"Relax," he whispered, grinning as he pulled back just enough to catch my eyes. "I'm not that easy."
I didn't know what was worse—how fast my heart was beating, or the fact that I was genuinely disappointed he didn't try.
When we reached the dorm gates, Ava looked back with a lazy smirk. "Walk us all the way to the door, will you, gentlemen?"
Austin opened it with a mock bow. "Ladies first."
Theo dropped his arm, but not before giving my shoulder a small squeeze. "Sleep well, firecracker."
I stared at the door long after it closed behind us.
Ava leaned over and whispered, "That man's going to ruin you. In the best possible way."
And I was already terrified she was right.