Rapunzel's POV

My pencil glides shakily across the paper, the stroke dark on the surface. Although my expression is neutral, my heart pounds rapidly and angrily against my ribcage. The professor's words fade to white noise while my irritation grows in intensity. My strokes grow more tight and controlled as I try to force my mind to forget the encounter with my old love yesterday, but I can't. The man I hadn't seen for years was still as inconsiderate, sarcastic and cocky as ever, yet somehow I was strangely drawn to him-and I hated myself for it. The more I thought about it, the more I felt I was a fool for "liking" him. He'd humiliated me for the sake of his precious ego, and I couldn't forgive him.

It feels like years have gone by before I hear students withdrawing from the classroom, but I'm glued in place.

"Rapunzel," the professor's voice cuts through my solitude like a knife.

I snap my head up, my thoughts scattering. "Yes?"

"Class has been dismissed." He raises a graying eyebrow.

"Yes of course." I hurriedly gather my things and walk out the polished door with his mocking words echoing in my mind, my brow set in a petulant furrow.

*The previous afternoon*

Sunlight filters through the massive glass windows, its warmth gracing my pale arms. My fingers ache as I walk along the countless bookshelves, my arms piled with both heavy and slim novels. I inhale the familiar pine and vanilla scent of the library and grin a little, knowing I'm in my safe haven. Once I near the end of the aisle, I grunt with the effort of peeking around my books and scanning for any nearby tables. As I observe each one, I see that most are crowded with college students typing on their laptops or feverishly trying to decipher their textbook passages.

Just as I'm about to resign to sitting on a window ledge, I spot a young man around my age wandering about the library and randomly rearranging books. His slow footsteps indicate boredom and I wonder why he even bothered to come here.

"Let's see if he'll help me," I mutter to myself, making my way towards him. When we're in the same aisle, I softly call out to the stranger.

"Hello sir, would you please help me carry some of my books?"

He spins around, revealing a confused expression. I'm taken aback by how surprisingly attractive he is, with a five o'clock shadow outlining his jaw and the small goatee sprouting from his chin. I'm captivated by the bright colors of his eyes blending together into beautiful hazel shades and how his dark lashes frame them perfectly. A strand of his chocolate colored hair flops adorably in front of his eye, and I feel my breath hitch.

As I examine him further, however, I realize I've seen him before. But at the moment, I can't remember and it's starting to drive me insane.

"I'm sorry, what do you want Blondie?" He asks, slipping his hands into his leather jacket.

"I said-"

"What's your name?"

Annoyance flares in my chest. "That's none of your business. Now please if you would be so kind as to help me-"

"Not until I get a name."

"Fine. It's Rapunzel," I answer between gritted teeth.

"Gesundheit."

I narrow my eyes. "Excuse me?"

"What did I just say?"

"Bless you." His smug grin disappears. "My mother was half German, so sorry to disappoint you that I'm not just another dumb blonde."

His lip curled mockingly. "We'll see about that."

"You know, I knew you looked familiar when I first saw you, but I couldn't figure out where I'd seen you before. And then I remembered- you were that Flynn Rider kid at Redbird High who called himself 'The Vandalizer.' And who also so happened to contribute to one of the worst days of my life."

He sucks in his cheeks, clearly insulted. "I didn't know you could be so nasty, Blondie. You-"

"You've got to be kidding me! You're still so infuriating Flynn; I can't believe I decided to ask an idiot like you for help. Good day," I seethe, giving him one last glare over my shoulder before I begin to walk quickly away from him.

"Wait!"

I roll my eyes, my back still facing Flynn. "This better be good."

"I gotta admit, I do like my girls feisty. Want my number?"

"After how you treated me-no thanks. I hope we never meet again." With that, I continue on my way, completely unaware that our paths would cross once more.

Hope you enjoyed this! Sorry for the constant editing; I can't help myself! I've got way too many ideas in this head of mine XD