Meilin's POV
When I woke up, the first thing I saw was Ava's phone screen glowing inches from my face.
"Wake up," she whispered, shaking my shoulder like a lunatic. "You're trending."
I sat up, blinking away sleep. "I'm what?"
She shoved her phone into my hands.
And there it was.
A photo. Of me. Taking an unlit cigarette from Theo Ashford's mouth with that dramatic, scolding look on my face—his head slightly tilted toward me like I was the most interesting person in the universe. The caption?
> "Who is she? Who tames the Theo Ashford?"
My stomach dropped. "What the hell—who took this?!"
"Everyone. Literally everyone. It's already been reposted by three meme accounts and some student page. They're calling you Cigarette Girl."
I groaned and collapsed face-first into the pillow. "This is the worst day of my life."
Ava was absolutely no help. She just laughed. "You're so dramatic. It's not even a bad photo. Look at you—giving mysterious main character energy."
My phone buzzed then. A message.
Theo:
Saw the pic. You looked kinda hot.
Also, football match today. Come see me.
Bring that bossy attitude, yeah?
I stared at the screen.
"You're blushing," Ava said, peeking over my shoulder like a menace.
"I am not."
"Oh, you so are."
I typed back quickly.
Meilin:
I'm not coming.
Also, I do not look hot. I look annoyed.
Which I was.
He replied instantly.
Theo:
You look like mine.
See you at the match, Cigarette Girl.
I squealed into my pillow.
Ava just cackled. "Admit it. You've got it bad."
Maybe I did.
Maybe he had it worse.