Act 1 (Chapters 1–25) – Setup & Inciting Event:
Introductions: Early chapters establish each character's ordinary world. Show Alex in the office/classroom and Jordan in their environment (campus café, start-up hub). Define their goals and daily routines. Use these scenes to hint at what each needs (creative outlet, financial stability, independence, etc.).
Meet-Cute / Catalyst: By about chapter 5–10 (around 10–12% into story), Alex and Jordan meet under interesting circumstances – e.g. a mistaken identity in a coffee shop, a group project, or a community eventduckprintspress.com. Their first interaction is memorable (could be mildly antagonistic or simply awkward), but it clearly sparks curiosity. This initial encounter plants the seed of attraction even if neither acknowledges it yetduckprintspress.com.
Early Tension: Following the meet-cute, Alex and Jordan keep bumping into each other (maybe they share a class, project team, or mutual friend's party). They exchange small talk peppered with witty banter and slight misunderstandings. Both feel an unexpected spark but are not ready to act on it.
First Turning Point (Ch ~20–25): Near the end of Act 1, a significant event forces the two together more deeply. For example, Alex's project hits a snag and Jordan volunteers help, or Jordan's family emergency leads them to lean on Alex. This incident "locks" them together in some way, compelling them to spend time or collaborate closely (as recommended, a major plot point at ~25% should force more interactionduckprintspress.com). They may argue over the situation or bond over it, but the stage is set: they're now invested in each other's story.