Ava pov
Our dorm room had completely erupted into chaos. Clothes were draped over chairs, jackets piled on the floor, and every accessory we owned was scattered across the desks and beds. The mirrors reflected the mayhem back at us — and somehow, it was fun.
"Red first. Definitely red," Emily insisted, holding up a sequined dress that sparkled even under the dull dorm light. "You'll be the star of the party."
I slipped into it, feeling the fabric hug my curves in all the wrong — or maybe right — ways. I twisted in front of the mirror, tugging at the hem nervously.
Emma leaned over my shoulder. "Hmm… red is fire, but maybe too much for Ridge Hall. You don't want to scream 'look at me,' do you?"
Kate spun dramatically in a black, shimmery mini skirt. "No! Red is perfect. Stand out! Make him notice you."
I groaned, adjusting the dress and trying to steady my racing heartbeat. "I don't want to stand out too much. I just want to… survive the party."
Emily leaned forward, that mischievous glint in her eyes. "Oh, come on. If Axel's going to be there… you want him to notice you."
My face flushed hot enough to burn. "Emma!"
Emma smirked. "I'm just saying what everyone's thinking."
I spun to face the mirror again, hesitating. Should I go with red? Or was black safer? Something that wouldn't draw too much attention — but also wouldn't hide me completely?
Out of the corner of my eye, I caught movement near the doorway. One of Axel's friends, probably Jay, leaned casually against the frame, pretending to scroll on his phone, though the way he kept glancing toward the mirror made me pause.
"Uh… what are you guys doing here?" I asked, my voice sharper than I meant.
Jay chuckled, lounging against the doorframe. "Relax. We were just… passing by. Totally coincidental."
Liam popped in next, grin wide. "Yeah, yeah. Nothing weird. Just casual hallway stroll."
I rolled my eyes, but couldn't help the little shiver of… something. Their timing was suspicious — too suspicious.
Emma whispered to Emily and Kate, barely containing her laughter: "Perfect. He's definitely watching now."
My stomach twisted at the thought. Axel. Somewhere nearby. Watching. Probably tense, probably brooding, probably jealous.
I tried another dress — this one black with a subtle shimmer. Slipping into it, I checked the mirror, twisting slowly. "Better?" I asked the girls.
"Much better," Kate said approvingly. "Sleek. Dangerous. Totally mysterious party vibes."
Emily grinned. "Exactly. And I bet Axel's jaw would drop."
I groaned, spinning back to face them. "You're terrible."
Emma giggled. "You love it."
I swallowed hard, heart racing. She was right — part of me did love it. The thought of him noticing, of making him tense like that… it was thrilling.
I tried on a few more options — sequins, leather, sparkly skirts — each one bringing its own little flutter of nerves and excitement. And every time, I could feel that invisible weight of his attention somewhere nearby, even through the walls and the presence of his friends.
The room erupted into laughter at one particularly ridiculous outfit — a glittery jumpsuit that made me look like I belonged on a stage rather than at a party. I spun, making a dramatic pose, and Kate howled with laughter.
Emily whispered teasingly, "Okay, maybe not that one… but I swear, he'd notice you instantly in anything."
And for a split second, I imagined him standing there, jaw tight, arms crossed, trying not to show how much I got to him. The thought made my pulse spike — half nervous, half exhilarated.
I took a deep breath, looking at myself in the mirror, feeling the mix of excitement, nerves, and something… magnetic between us. The party wasn't even here yet, and somehow, it already felt like the most important night of the semester.
Axel pov
I wasn't supposed to be here. Technically, I was "just passing by" with Jay and Liam, and technically, I was scrolling through my phone, pretending I didn't care. But the moment I caught sight of her in the mirror… all pretense went out the window.
Ava. In a red dress. My chest tightened before I even realized it.
I tried to look away, reminding myself: it's just a party. She's just picking an outfit. She doesn't even know I'm here.
And yet… I couldn't move.
Her hair caught the light as she twisted, checking the fit. The way she carried herself — confident, unaware, mischievous — it drove something sharp and possessive straight through me.
I felt a surge of irritation. Why was I even caring this much? She wasn't mine. I didn't get to… feel like this. And yet every small laugh, every glance she shot to the girls, made my jaw tighten.
Jay nudged me lightly. "Dude… you okay?"
I ignored him.
Another outfit — black, sleek, shimmering — and I felt my teeth grit. She looked perfect. Dangerous. Like she could set the whole party on fire without trying. And all I wanted was to step in and make sure she didn't.
Part of me wanted to storm in, tell her to pick something safe. Part of me wanted to smirk and let her choose — knowing full well that she'd notice me noticing her, and that thought… made my stomach twist.
Liam chuckled, whispering, "She's killing it, man. You seeing this?"
I didn't respond. My focus was locked on her. The way she moved, laughed, twirled — all of it making my chest pound, my brain scream don't get distracted, don't get distracted… and failing.
And then came the teasing. Emma's voice floated across the room, Emily and Kate following, all laughing and whispering things I couldn't quite catch but knew were about me.
I felt heat rise to my ears, my hands balling into fists at my sides.
She's trying to get to me.
And she was.
I knew it.
But I also knew… I had no right to feel like this.
I should've looked away.
I should've let her have this moment.
And yet, I couldn't.
I stayed, arms crossed, jaw tight, heart pounding like a war drum. Every flick of her hair, every spark in her eyes, every small smile she threw at the girls — it was mine. Not hers, not theirs, not anyone else's. Mine.
And if she knew how badly I wanted to pull her close right there, I'd probably die of embarrassment. But the thought didn't stop me from watching.
Not yet.
Ava pov
The dorm room had turned into chaos again, though this time it was more focused — dresses neatly laid out, heels and accessories waiting, and Emma mid-battle with a stubborn zipper.
"Seriously, how do you even manage this?" Emma groaned, tugging at the zipper on her fitted black dress. "It's like the dress hates me."
I smirked, adjusting the strap of my own outfit — the red dress we'd finally settled on. It hugged me in all the right places, sparkled under the dim dorm light, and made me feel… dangerous.
Kate and Emily walked in like they owned the runway, scanning both of us from head to toe.
"Wow," Emily breathed, stopping mid-step. "Ava… that dress. You look amazing."
Kate's eyes gleamed as she circled around, pretending to examine the hemline but clearly admiring everything. "Yeah, like… dangerous, sexy… how are we supposed to focus on the party if you're walking in looking like that?"
I laughed nervously, tugging at the hem to make sure it wasn't too short. "You think it's too much?"
"Too much?" Emily echoed, lifting an eyebrow. "No. Not at all. You're… perfect."
Kate grinned. "Honestly, Ava, you're stealing the show already. Even Emma looks good, but… wow. You take it to a whole new level."
I glanced over at Emma, who had finally zipping her dress up, cheeks pink from exertion. She looked incredible in sleek black — elegant and sharp — but I could feel the girls' eyes flicking back to me repeatedly.
Emma noticed, giving me a small smirk. "Don't let it get to your head."
I rolled my eyes, though my chest warmed at the attention. "It's not my fault if this dress does all the talking."
Emily stepped closer, tilting her head. "No, but it does." She let out a quiet laugh. "Seriously, everyone's going to lose it when you walk in."
Kate twirled dramatically. "Honestly, Ava, if you wear that, Axel's going to combust."
I froze at the name, swallowing hard. "Maybe he should just stay home."
Emma laughed, throwing a playful glare at me. "Please. Don't give him any ideas — the thought of you walking in there looking like that? He'll be a mess before the music even starts."
I bit my lip, trying to suppress a grin. The thought of Axel noticing, of maybe really noticing, made my heart race. Part of me wanted to tease him further, part of me wanted to disappear before anyone else got a look.
But the girls were relentless. Emily clapped her hands, stepping back. "Okay, time to finalize. Shoes, accessories, hair. Let's see who actually survives the party with all this sexiness."
Kate nodded, winking at me. "And Ava… sorry in advance to anyone who gets lost in your glow."
I laughed softly, feeling the flush in my cheeks. My outfit wasn't just about the party anymore. Somehow, it had become about him — about seeing the way he'd react, the tension that would explode the second our eyes met.
And somehow, knowing that… made me feel alive in a way nothing else had.