[Love is always Write 04] • Louder than Sirens Louder than Bells

*Dear Author,

When I first crossed paths with him at the library on campus, I didn't know what to think. Lip gloss, eyeliner, eye shadow, nail polish? Back in the small town where I grew up, a boy would have never dared to dress like him. When an assignment to create a video news segment from one of our professors places us both in the same group, personalities clash, and what started as fascination on my part turns into instant dislike, which he seems to immediately return.

He's smart, quick-thinking, creative…but also snarky, moody, defensive, and basically the complete physical opposite of every guy I've ever been attracted to. And yet, despite the fact that I think he needs an attitude adjustment, and he thinks I'm just a backward country hick, I've quickly come to realize that sometimes the line between love and hate really is paper thin.

P.S. An HEA would definitely be preferred to an HFN ending.*

Photo Description : Two young men stare at each other through a chain-link fence. They are holding hands through it; one has nail polish and lip gloss.

This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love is Always Write" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.

Read it online or find it in Love Is Always Write: Volume 11 - Bonus Volume.

Genre: contemporary

Tags: first love; college; coming out; gay-for-you; enemies to lovers

Warnings: none

Word Count: 68,123