stepped inside, my eyes scanning the room for an empty seat. Thankfully, Favour and Gift had already secured spots near the middle,

on?" Favour asked, raising an eyebrow

y temples as I tried to shake off the lingering fati

used to it. Or you'll suffe

ficant and oddly excited. I pulled out my notebook, determined to lose myself in the lecture, when suddenly I felt a presence settle into the seat beside me. Turning slightly, I froze when I saw him. The same guy I had bumped into the day b

enough not to attract attention. "I don't t

was something disarming about his tone, a sincere quality

nued, extending his h

rude, and I'd been raised to be polite. So, with minimal enthus

I said

if studying me. "Ava...?" he repe

. "Ava D

ips twitched slightly, but he didn't push f

topic was uninteresting the professor was known for his brilliant, if sometimes convoluted, insights but I found myself stealing occasional glances at the guy beside me. Ethan wasn't like most of the guys I'd encountered so far. He didn't fidget, whisper jokes to his friends, or glance around for distract

whispered before I could stop myself, h

ctually pretty interesting," he replied quietly, his

head. "Nerd," I muttered, even as a reluct

fended. "That doesn't suits me. I'm not really t

stirred in me. By the time the lecture ended, my brain was a tangled mess of half-remembered facts and fleeting glances. I quickly packed my things, eager to escape before Ethan could try to engage me in more conversat

uys about, some days ago? He's the guy. H

y were you two whispering in class?" Gift teas

class. He just happened to sit t

her chest. 'Oh, denial. The first si

to keep my voice steady despite the swirling mix of

standing. I internally groaned perfect timing, really. He approached with that

h a nod, glancing brief

tention back to him. "Hi, Ethan, was it?" Favour asked s

ied, offering a courteous smile that seemed to bridge

n't encourage them," I muttered under my breath, though he appeared to

e said casually, before turning and walking off, leaving

mused, her eyes spar

our added with

You two are

d me playfully. "You have

ome defiance. "Yeah, he's different.

d, her tone t

st go get food before I dec

familiar campus sights. I noticed how the morning light danced across the dewy grass and how the chatter of passing students created a sort of background melody. Inside the cafeteria, the noise level was a stark contrast to the hushed calm of the lecture hall. Students crowded around tables, laughing and sharing stories, while trays clattered and voices overlapped in a cacophony of welcome chaos. I joined Favour and Gift at a long t

really don't like him, do you? I mean, he's smart, funny, and did you see that smi

lve. "He's just another guy, alright? I'm not about to l

say that now, but I have a feeling he'll be i

aybe. But for now, let's focus on survivi

s calm smile and those warm, steady eyes. I couldn't decide if it was his quiet humor, his effortless style, or just the way he seemed to understand m