It was a bright morning on the outskirts of Los Angeles, and the fresh air accompanied Ethan Collins and his girlfriend, Samantha “Sam” Brooks, on their way. With a smile on his face and simple joy in his heart, Ethan rode his old motorcycle, a faded blue Vespa that was often more trouble than help. They were heading to Westbridge University, the campus where they both studied.
Samantha, with her flowing blonde hair and stylish leather jacket, sat behind Ethan. She glanced at her phone screen and groaned as a flood of notifications from campus group chats appeared. For Sam, riding Ethan’s old motorcycle wasn’t the kind of journey she had in mind—it felt more like a trial she had to endure as the girlfriend of someone a bit too simple.
“Have you ever thought about getting a new bike, Eth?” she grumbled, her hand lazily holding onto Ethan’s waist.
Ethan chuckled softly. “Well, I like this bike. It holds a lot of memories, Sam. Besides, it still runs, right?”
Sam sighed, choosing not to argue further. But as if fate had heard her complaint, Ethan’s motorcycle coughed and stalled right in the middle of the road—at the last turn before the campus gate.
“Seriously? Here? Now?” Sam groaned in frustration, hopping off the bike with a face full of disappointment. “Why do you always make life more complicated, Ethan?”
Ethan tried to kick-start the engine several times, but it refused to cooperate. He forced a wry smile, staying calm even though frustration simmered beneath the surface. “Don’t worry, Sam. It’s probably just a clogged carburetor. I’ll have it running in no time—”
Just then, the roar of an engine cut through the air, and a bright red Chevrolet Camaro pulled up beside them. Behind the wheel was Tyler Mitchell, a popular guy on campus known for his good looks—and unfortunately for Ethan, he was always trying to get closer to Sam. Tyler parked his car in front of them, wearing sunglasses and a tight shirt that showed off his muscles.
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“Well, well, well, who needs a hand here?” Tyler said with a smug smile, clearly enjoying the sight of Ethan and his broken-down bike on the side of the road.
Ethan tried to ignore him, focusing on the bike. “I’ve got it covered, Ty. But thanks.”
Sam, visibly embarrassed to be seen with Ethan and his rusty Vespa, shifted her demeanor. Suddenly, she turned into a more cheerful version of herself. “Hey, Tyler!” she greeted sweetly, as if Ethan weren’t standing right next to her.
Tyler nodded and gave Sam a playful grin. “If you don’t want to be late, how about I give you a ride? I can get you to campus in no time.”
Sam hesitated for a moment, but the temptation to escape the embarrassing situation was too strong. She glanced at Ethan and offered a half-hearted apology that sounded far from genuine. “Eth, I... I think I’ll just go ahead so I won’t be late for class.”
Before Ethan could respond, Tyler theatrically opened the car door for her. “Hop in, Miss Brooks. VIP seating just for you,” Tyler said, flashing a triumphant grin at Ethan before revving the engine.
Sam climbed into the car with a slightly relieved expression. The open-top Camaro roared off, leaving Ethan alone with his stalled motorcycle.
Ethan let out a long sigh, staring at his old Vespa as if apologizing to himself. “Well... looks like today’s going to be a long one,” he muttered, starting to push the bike toward the campus parking lot.
From a distance, Chloe Evans silently observed the entire scene. Standing in front of the library building, she wore a gray sweater and carried a few books. Chloe was a student in the Design and Illustration program—the same major as Ethan. Behind her quiet demeanor and sweet smile, Chloe had been harboring feelings for Ethan for a long time, though she was too afraid to confess.
As she watched Ethan walk alone, pushing his broken-down bike, Chloe felt an urge to approach him. But, as usual, her courage faded before she could take a step.
Ethan eventually reached the parking lot, his face clouded with disappointment. He caught a glimpse of Chloe as he passed the library building, but he didn’t greet her. Chloe lowered her head, biting her lower lip, feeling foolish for hoping that Ethan would notice her one day.
And so, the morning at Westbridge University began—filled with disappointment, hidden hopes, and the start of something bigger that none of them had realized yet.