Chapter Text
NorthGate University.
A high-tech and advanced institution located in Houston, surrounded by acres and acres of forest. Despite its natural surroundings, it's anything but old-fashioned.
The campus gleams with cutting-edge architecture, glass buildings seamlessly integrated with nature, and holographic displays that guide students through the winding pathways. It’s a place where tradition meets innovation, where the ancient trees stand as silent witnesses to the future being shaped within the university’s walls.
You walk through the grand halls of the student hub, your voice echoing slightly as you speak to your best friend.
“That’s CRAZZZYYYY!” you said, your eyes widening at her latest story. “Snap a pic of him next time you see him or something. I'm curious to see what he looks like.”
“Okay, but don’t blame me if it’s blurry. You know I can’t take good discreet pictures of people,” your best friend laughed before looking down at her phone. “Shit—I gotta go. I’ll text you later!”
“Alright, I’ll see you later then!” you yelled as you waved bye to her.
The echoes of the final serve still rang in your ears as you and your best friend left the Recreation Center, the familiar ache in your shoulders a satisfying reminder of the game well played. The fluorescent lights of the hallway hummed, a stark contrast to the natural light you’d been playing under just moments before.
You both had just finished playing some volleyball at the Recreation Center. You and your best friend actually met during freshmen year of college when you both decided to show up at the court and play volleyball on the same side. Now, the both of you would play between classes. She would play during her long free times between her science courses while you'd play before or after your graphic design courses.
The court had become your sanctuary, a place where the rhythmic thud of the ball and the synchronized movements of a team could drown out the constant pressure of deadlines and assignments—also a good way to refresh your mind after long hours at your job.
It was on that polished wood floor, during a particularly chaotic game of open play, that you’d first locked eyes with her across the net, a shared, breathless laugh after a failed spike sealing an instant friendship. The bond forged in the heat of competition had only grown stronger, a reliable constant in the ever-shifting landscape of university life.
As you rounded the corner, the scent of floor wax and recycled air giving way to the faint smell of rain from the open doorway ahead, you were so lost in texting back a classmate over a project that you didn’t see the person until it was too late.
You bumped into some hooded guy, rubbing your arm as it feels like you straight up ran into something metal. A jarring, solid impact that sent a jolt up to your shoulder, far more resistant than a human body should be.
You stumbled back a step, your gym bag slipping from your shoulder and clattering to the polished linoleum floor.
“Oh, sorry, I didn’t mean to bump into you,” you quickly apologized as you looked up at the man who had striking blue eyes and a black face mask over his mouth and nose.
His eyes were the first thing you registered, an intense, startlingly clear blue that seemed to hold a world of weariness and alertness, a stark contrast to the mundane university corridor. They were sharp, assessing, flicking from your face to the fallen bag and then to the end of the hallway before settling back on you.
The hood of his dark sweatshirt was pulled low, casting his brow in shadow, but it couldn’t hide the tension in his jaw or the rigid set of his shoulders. He stood unnaturally still, a coiled spring of contained energy that felt completely out of place next to the chattering students rushing to their next class.
He shakes his head. “It was my fault. I apologize.”
He quickly steps to the side and walks by and you continue on your way. Currently, you were on your way to your job at NorthGate University's Financial Aid and Marketing office, clocking into your student job.
You figured that being a student worker at the university would be a good way to gain connections and experience before you finally stepped out into the real world (or at least that’s what everyone says, but god knows the real world doesn’t accept people who don’t have 20 years experience under their belt, right?)
After clocking in, you settled into your usual routine. The office was quieter than usual today, with only a few students stopping by to ask about upcoming events.
You organized files, responded to emails, and helped prepare materials for tomorrow’s workshop on inclusive language. The hours passed quickly as you immersed yourself in the familiar tasks, occasionally glancing out the window at students rushing between buildings.
When it was nearing night time, you began wrapping up your work. You double-checked the schedule for tomorrow, made sure all materials were in order, and tidied up your workspace. After clocking out, you gathered your items and bid your co-workers bye, you walked out the building and made your way to your car.
After clocking out, you gathered your things, said your goodbyes to your co-workers, and stepped outside into the cool evening air.
The campus had transformed while you’d been tucked away in the office.
The golden hues of the afternoon had long since faded, replaced by the deep blue of dusk. Streetlights cast warm pools of light across the winding sidewalks while the moon hung quietly overhead, peeking through drifting clouds.
Students still wandered between buildings in scattered groups, laughter carrying across the open courtyards as others hurried toward residence halls before the night grew any colder. Autumn had finally begun settling into Houston.
Not enough for thick coats or scarves just yet—but enough that the breeze no longer carried the lingering warmth of summer.
You adjusted the strap of your bag higher onto your shoulder as you walked toward the parking lot, your smartwatch vibrating gently against your wrist.
Glancing down, you noticed the growing list of notifications that had accumulated during your shift.
Most of them were exactly what you’d expected.
Spam emails promising miracle products you'd never buy. A handful of university announcements reminding students about graduation applications, campus events, and discounts at the bookstore.
A mental note for later: unsubscribe from half of these.
Your thumb continued scrolling until another notification on your phone caught your eye.
(Bsf/n).
You slowed your pace, slipping your phone from your pocket as you tapped on the message. The image loaded first. It was...incredibly blurry.
“...She wasn’t kidding,” you murmured with a small laugh.
Pinching the screen to zoom in only made it marginally better, but you could still make out the outline of a tall man with sun-kissed skin and dark hair. Then your eyes drifted to the messages beneath it.
8:12 pm
(Bsf/n): Image attached.
(Bsf/n): this is that guy I was talking to you about... 🫣
Your eyebrows shot upward. Almost immediately, your fingers began flying across the keyboard.
You: OMG???
You: Okayyy I see somebody's making moves now 👀
You: About time, girl.
You: Lemme know when the wedding is. 🤪
Not even five seconds later, the typing bubble appeared. Then disappeared. Then appeared again.
You laughed to yourself before locking your phone and slipping it back into your bag. Knowing her, she was probably typing an entire essay defending herself. But that was always how it went; you two would always feed each other’s delusions.
You’d read it later.
The parking lot wasn’t much farther. As you approached the crosswalk leading toward it, you stopped at the curb out of habit, looking both ways even though there wasn’t a single car in sight. That’s when you felt it.
A strange shiver crept its way up your spine. Not painful and not enough to make you panic. It was just...wrong.
You rubbed your arm absentmindedly.
Probably just the weather. You thought to yourself, despite knowing there wasn’t even a sign of the slightest breeze nearby.
You dismissed the feeling and shifted your weight forward, preparing to cross.
“Hey!” A man’s voice called from behind you. “I’ve been looking for you.”
You turned instinctively. “...Huh?”
Before you could react any further, someone casually stepped beside you, an arm draping comfortably across your shoulders as though the two of you had known each other for years. You stiffened.
Standing beside you was a handsome brunette around your age. His dark hair had been neatly styled despite the breeze, and an easy, almost boyish smile rested on his face—one so natural that anyone passing by would’ve assumed the two of you were close friends catching up after class.
“...Uh…” You blinked. “...Hey?”
He leaned in just enough for only you to hear him. His smile never wavered. “I’m just walking you to your car.” The friendliness in his voice disappeared beneath something quieter. More serious.
“Don’t turn around,” he continued. “But there’s someone that’s been following you since you left the building.”
Your heartbeat stumbled. “...What?” Your eyes instinctively wanted to look over your shoulder. But instead, you forced yourself to keep walking beside him.
“...How do you know?” you asked under your breath.
He chuckled suddenly, loud enough for anyone nearby to hear, as though you’d just told him the funniest joke imaginable. To everyone else, it looked effortless.
Two students talking, laughing, nothing unusual. But when he leaned closer again, the smile on his face no longer matched the weight behind his words.
“I was leaving my fraternity’s officer meeting when I happened to see you coming out of the building like I was. Then, I noticed someone standing outside.” His eyes stayed forward.
A pause.
You swallowed.
“I figured they were waiting for someone. But once you had walked out, it seemed like they started to leave. But they were standing just outside of a normal person’s view.”
Another few steps.
A chill settled over you that had nothing to do with the evening air.
“I could’ve ignored it,” he admitted. “But something about it didn’t sit right with me.”
He shrugged one shoulder casually, as though discussing tomorrow’s weather instead of a potential stalker. “You’re probably more than capable of handling yourself. But I’d have felt like an ass if I walked away and something happened.”
You nodded slowly, resisting every instinct screaming at you to glance over your shoulder. “...Right…”
Your fingers tightened around the strap of your bag. “...So what do we do now?”
The man glanced briefly toward the road ahead before looking back at you. His easy smile remained in place, but there was something more serious behind it now.
“Nothing too complicated. Just keep walking like everything’s normal.”
You swallowed, forcing yourself to keep your eyes ahead.
Someone was actually following me?
The thought made your stomach twist. You resisted the urge to glance over your shoulder, instead focusing on the man's rambling conversation as the two of you continued toward the parking lot. He casually talked about some plans he and his friends had for the following day, occasionally throwing in a joke or two.
You played along, laughing when you were supposed to and adding the occasional response, even though part of your attention remained fixed on the possibility of someone watching you from behind.
The closer you got to your car, however, the more your shoulders began to relax. Eventually, you spotted it beneath one of the parking lot lights.
“There,” you murmured, recognizing your car.
The man nodded. “Good.”
He walked alongside you until you reached the driver's side, then stepped ahead and opened the door for you. You blinked.
“Oh. Uh…thanks.”
“Of course.”
You slipped inside, setting your bag onto the passenger seat before reaching for the door. Just before you pulled it shut, the man leaned slightly closer.
“Lock the doors.”
“Oh—right.” You quickly hit the lock button. A small click sounded through the car.
Only then did some of the tension finally leave your shoulders. The man lowered his voice. “I'm going to report what I saw to campus police as a witness. That way, if that person tries anything again, there’ll already be a record of it.”
You nodded, still looking a little uneasy. “Thank you. Seriously.” You glanced toward the parking lot before looking back at him. “I don’t even know what would’ve happened if you hadn’t said anything.”
“Probably nothing,” he said with a small shrug. “But I’d rather be safe than sorry. Plus, my dad would immediately move me if he found out something happened at my university.”
You smiled, finally feeling a little more at ease. “I'll see you around, I guess.”
“Yeah. Stay safe.”
You gave him one last appreciative nod before rolling up your window. As you pulled out of the parking space, you caught his reflection in the side mirror. He remained standing there for a moment, watching until your car disappeared onto the road.
You frowned slightly. “…Shit. I forgot to ask his name.” You sighed, shaking your head as you continued driving.
Well…hopefully I'll run into him again.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[Jacob's POV]
Jacob remained where he was until your car disappeared beyond the campus entrance. Only then did the smile he’d been wearing fade. His attention shifted toward the far end of the parking lot. The man who had been following you was still there.
He’d stopped pretending to be inconspicuous now, walking away from the area with his hands tucked into his pockets. Jacob’s eyes narrowed.
He pulled his phone from his pocket and pretended to be busy while walking back to his own car. “Jarvis.”
A familiar voice responded through his earpiece. “Yes, sir?”
“Find out who that is.” Jacob watched the man disappear between two rows of parked cars. “And send an anonymous report to NorthGate’s campus security. Include everything we’ve got.”
“Understood.”
Jacob slipped his phone back into his pocket, his expression hardening. He’d come to campus expecting an ordinary evening. Apparently, that was too much to ask.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Your POV
“AYOO??” [Bsf/n]’s voice erupted from the other side of the line. “So, he helped you all nonchalantly like that when he noticed someone was after you??”
“Yes, dude! Ugh I don’t know…” you replied, sitting cross-legged on your bed as you hugged a pillow to your chest.
“Is he hot?”
“[Bsf/n]!!”
“What?! I gotta know if he was your type, at least. Speaking of which, kinda random, but do you have any like spider repellent or something? I’ve been seeing more spider webs recently and I’m wondering if I just need to clean more or something.” [Bsf/n] said as she sighed.
“Pfft–why would I know stuff about keeping spiders away? If anything, shouldn’t you know that, Ms. Biology-Major?” you teased, causing [Bsf/n] to laugh.
“Damn, you’re right. Maybe I’ll keep them here. Heard they get rid of mosquitos and flies since they get trapped in their webs. Like a symbiotic relationship kind of thing. Or maybe more of a mutualism since the spider gets food while I get no flies.”
You and [Bsf/n] both laughed at the weird biologist turn your conversation just took. Laughter dying down, [Bsf/n] speaks back up.
“So you have a crush now or what?” [Bsf/n] asked, laughing right after—like two school girls talking about the popular jock in the school.
“I don’t know? I mean looks—yes, he was totally someone a lot of people would have a crush on. But he was pretty nice though. And also weirdly calm about the whole situation.”
“And you got his number right?” [Bsf/n] asked, only to be met with silence on the other end.
“...no.”
“Y/n!!” [Bsf/n] groaned, like she had been the one to be personally offended.
“I forgot okay??” you said as you plopped back down on your bed, hair splayed around you on the sheets like a halo. “I’m sure I’d recognize him again if I see him. He looked like a student there.”
“Okay but you really need to get it! I feel like this is such a quintessential love story about to bloom, bro.” [Bsf/n] said before a distant voice on her end called out to her.
“Oh, I gotta go. I’m helping my neighbor’s mom out since she’s away on a business trip for the weekend. She needed help moving a couch or something because she got something stuck behind it. Gonna go break my back out–but not in a good way. Lemme know anything new that happens with Mr. Protector though!”
“Oh my god, [Bsf/n]!!” you laughed as you rolled your eyes at the breaking back comment. “You’re so stupid. But yeah, I’ll let you know. See you later!”
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Jacob’s POV
“I just don’t understand how you’re unable to identify him...” Jacob sighed as he leaned back in his chair, rubbing his face as lines of code flickered on the screen in front of him. “How can someone not be identifiable by something my own dad made? Isn’t he like the smartest guy out here that’s alive?”
The soft glow of the monitors illuminated the dark room.
Most people would’ve gone to bed hours ago. Jacob, however, worked best at night.
Still...
His attention kept drifting.
The girl with the pretty eyes.
He placed his chin on his hand. There had been something about her that caught his attention immediately. Maybe it was the way she tried to stay calm even though she was clearly nervous. Or maybe it was the way she laughed during their fake conversation like she was genuinely playing along with the bit. It made him wonder what her actual laughing expression looked like.
Most people would have panicked, or at least look around to try and get a glimpse at their so-called stalker, but not her. She seemed to just trust his words and let him lead.
A small smile tugged at his lips. “Jarvis.”
“Yes?”
Jacob hesitated for a moment before speaking. “...What building does that girl usually have classes or is seen in?”
“Y/n L/n is usually seen in the Recreating Building playing volleyball.” The AI assistant replied.
Jacob nodded slowly.
Interesting...Very interesting...
He closed his laptop. “Guess I’ll be studying there tomorrow.”