The Boy Everyone Warned Me About

Chapter 2 – Unlucky Assignment

The moment I opened my eyes the next morning, I remembered exactly two things.

First...

I was officially a college student.

Second...

A ridiculously annoying senior had decided my name was Kate.

I buried my face into my pillow with a groan.

"My name is Caitlyn."

The pillow, unfortunately, didn't care.

Westbridge University looked less intimidating in daylight.

Or maybe I was just pretending to know where I was going.

Armed with a campus map, a fresh cup of coffee, and an unreasonable amount of confidence, I marched through the main gate.

Five whole minutes later...

I stopped.

"... This isn't the Journalism Building."

A passing sophomore glanced at me before pointing toward another path.

"Wrong way."

"Again?"

He smiled sympathetically.

"You're new?"

"Is it that obvious?"

"You've been walking in circles."

Fantastic.

Maybe Noah's third rule wasn't so unreasonable after all.

No.

Absolutely not.

I refused to admit that.

The journalism orientation was louder than yesterday's university-wide event.

Music blasted through the speakers while seniors handed out department schedules.

Kate found an empty seat beside Mia, who immediately leaned closer with a grin.

"You made it."

"Barely."

"You didn't get lost, did you?"

Kate hesitated for exactly one second.

"...Define lost."

Mia laughed.

"I'll take that as a yes."

"I was geographically challenged."

"Again?"

"It sounds better than admitting defeat."

"I admire your optimism."

Before Kate could answer, Professor Collins walked onto the stage.

The room slowly fell silent.

"Good morning, everyone."

"As part of Westbridge University's mentoring program, every first-year student will be paired with a senior student."

A wave of excited whispers spread through the room.

Professor Collins smiled knowingly.

"Your mentors are here to help you adjust to campus life, answer academic questions, and... hopefully keep you out of trouble."

Kate mumbled under her breath.

"I don't need a babysitter."

Mia heard her.

"You say that now."

Professor Collins clicked the remote in her hand.

A long list of names appeared on the projector.

"Please find your name."

Kate scanned the screen.

Halfway down...

She found it.

CAITLYN PARKER

She smiled.

Then her eyes shifted to the line beside it.

Mentor: Noah Carter

Her smile disappeared.

"... You're kidding."

"What?" Mia whispered.

Kate silently pointed at the screen.

Mia followed her finger.

"Oh."

"Oh?"

"Oh."

"That's all you have to say?"

Mia slowly turned toward her.

"I think you're doomed."

Kate sighed dramatically.

"There has to be another Noah Carter."

"There isn't."

"What if he declines?"

"He volunteered."

Kate blinked.

"He what?"

"He signed up himself."

That made even less sense.

From the little she'd seen of him, Noah Carter didn't exactly seem like someone who enjoyed helping strangers.

If anything...

He looked like the type who enjoyed making them nervous.

Professor Collins continued speaking.

"Your first mentoring session will take place tomorrow morning. Your mentors have already received your contact information."

Kate frowned.

"Do they have our phone numbers?"

"They'll only use them if necessary," Mia whispered.

"I don't like the sound of that."

"You'll survive."

"I spilled coffee on him."

"I know."

"He keeps calling me Kate."

"I know."

"I think he enjoys annoying me."

Mia tried very hard not to smile.

"I'm starting to notice a pattern."

Kate narrowed her eyes.

"Whose side are you on?"

"The entertaining one."

The orientation ended just before noon.

Students poured out into the courtyard, laughing and comparing schedules.

Kate checked hers once more.

Journalism Basics.

Media Ethics.

Introduction to News Writing.

Not bad.

She slipped the folded paper into her bag and headed toward the campus café.

This time...

She successfully ordered coffee without spilling anything.

Progress.

She had just taken her first sip when her phone buzzed.

An email notification.

From: Noah Carter

Kate nearly choked.

"...Already?"

She tapped it open.

The email contained exactly two lines.

Mentoring Session

Tomorrow, 9:00 a.m. Room 304, Business Building.

Don't be late.

That was it.

No greeting.

No signature.

No, "See you tomorrow."

Just...

Don't be late.

Kate stared at the screen before muttering to herself,

"... Unbelievable."

A shadow fell across her table.

She looked up, expecting Mia.

Instead...

A familiar blond senior smiled brightly.

"Well..."

Ethan said, balancing a tray with two iced coffees.

"I guess Noah really sent the email."

Kate blinked.

"... How do you know about the email?"

Ethan's grin widened.

"Oh."

"I know a lot more than you think."