The stranger's response was simple but puzzling. "He was laughing at me."

My eyebrows shot up in disbelief. Slapped for laughing? I was on the verge of demanding an explanation when Jack, ever the peacemaker, intervened to defuse the escalating tension.

"Hey, there's no need for violence," Caroline's voice cut in, her hand gently resting on the stranger's shoulder. Her calm presence served as a reminder to us all that cooler heads could prevail in the midst of confusion and conflict.

The stranger shrugged off Caroline's hand and turned away without another word. I stood there, a mixture of shock and bewilderment washing over me as I watched her retreat, the unexpected encounter leaving me with a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions.

Caroline and Jack exchanged concerned glances as they turned their attention to me. Jack voice held a gentle note as he asked, "Are you okay?" His reassuring hand landed on my arm, a gesture that conveyed their support in this bewildering situation.

I nodded, still processing the whirlwind of events that had just unfolded. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just caught completely off guard," I replied, my words tinged with a mixture of disbelief and surprise.

As we made our way into the college, a lingering sense of unease clung to me. Questions swirled in my mind – who was that girl, and what had prompted her to react so aggressively? Her attitude had left a mark, and I couldn't shake off the puzzling encounter. With a resolve born from the unexpected, I silently decided to steer clear of her in the future, opting to avoid any potential confrontations.

As we navigated our way to our first class, my thoughts remained fixated on the girl with the ocean blue eyes. It was as if her gaze had ensnared me in a sea of emotions, each wave crashing against the shores of my thoughts. Amidst the bustling hallways, the image of her eyes lingered, like an irresistible pull that I couldn't escape. I found myself wondering about the mysterious stranger and what she might be doing at this very moment. The encounter had left an indelible mark, and its repercussions echoed through my mind as we continued on our path.

The first bell for our class rang, and I found myself sitting in the last row with Caroline beside me. Jack had opted for journalism while Caroline and I were pursuing law. Our first class was history, and although ten minutes had passed, the professor was nowhere to be seen. I resorted to doodling in my notebook, lost in thought.

While Caroline was engaged in conversation with the front row, my attention wavered. The subject of their discussion eluded me, my thoughts far away, consumed by memories of the ocean blue eyes encounter. Amidst my reverie, the sound of heels clicked against the floor, piercing the silence of the room. The class fell hushed as the melodic sound echoed, signaling the arrival of our history professor.

She introduced herself as our New history professor Miss Rose Hathaway, but I found myself lost in my thoughts once again, distracted by the memory of those captivating eyes. My musings were abruptly interrupted by a tap on my shoulder, causing me to startle in my seat. Turning to my side, my eyes met an arresting sight – black high heels, a black skirt, and a crisp white button-down shirt that accentuated the contours of a perfect figure. As my gaze lifted, I was met with a sense of déjà vu – those familiar ocean blue eyes bore into mine, plunging me into a vortex of emotions once more.

However, the person standing before me was not the same as the one from before. The stranger's identity had shifted, yet the familiarity of those ocean blue eyes remained, as if etched into my memory.

It seemed that they might have been attempting to engage me in conversation or share something important. It's easy to get caught up in our own thoughts or the environment around us, especially when faced with the captivating allure of those beautiful ocean blue eyes. For a brief moment, I felt as though I could lose myself in their depths indefinitely. However, my reverie was broken by the sound of a voice being cleared once more, abruptly bringing me back to reality.

She inquired about my name, and I responded, "I'm Alex," extending my hand for a handshake. Her gaze seemed to linger for an eternity before she finally accepted my hand, her touch sending a jolt of inexplicable energy through me. Her voice broke the silence, advising me to maintain focus during class to avoid missing out on vital information. With that, she moved to the front of the room, taking her place at the desk to begin teaching the lesson, her words and the writings on the board pulling my attention back to the present moment.

Caroline wasted no time in playfully questioning my peculiar behavior in front of our captivating history professor. How could I possibly explain that I had been momentarily entranced by those icy blue eyes, lost in their depths? The thought left me grappling for words, unsure how to convey the inexplicable pull I had felt.

But I brushed it off with a grin, not willing to reveal the true extent of my distraction.

Caroline's silence was telling, and her nod indicated that she might have more to say about it later. I couldn't help but anticipate a forthcoming conversation where she'd likely share her candid thoughts. The uncertainty left me feeling uneasy; it seemed I had inadvertently opened a new chapter of discussion and curiosity.

As the class continued, I found myself wrestling with my own thoughts. Why had I become so entangled with those eyes? What was happening to me? These questions echoed throughout the day, a reflection of my internal struggle to comprehend the inexplicable connection that had formed from that morning's encounter.

Throughout the class, my gaze seemed to gravitate towards Professor Hathway, those ocean blue eyes magnetically pulling me in. I noticed her stealing glances at me occasionally, and each time our eyes met, it was as if a current of connection flowed between us. Her melodious voice held my attention, the lecture blending with the captivating allure of her presence. It was as if the morning's encounter had sparked a connection that defied explanation, making it impossible to ignore her presence in the room.

As the first period came to an end, the bell signalled the dispersal of students. Amidst the shuffling of chairs and the sounds of departure, I approached the front desk where Professor Hathway stood. Her request for me to stay echoed in my ears, and I exchanged a glance with Caroline, who assured me she would meet me for our next class. With a nod, she exited the classroom, leaving me behind along with the last lingering student who soon closed the door behind them.

In the quiet aftermath, my heartbeat resonated loudly in my ears, the rhythmic thumping the only sound I could perceive. I was certain that the professor could also hear the racing of my heart, a reflection of my nervous anticipation. Each passing second felt like an eternity, and I couldn't help but speculate about the nature of our impending conversation.

My heart raced, and I swallowed nervously. Her ocean blue eyes fixed on me looking  with those intense eyes, her expression unreadable. I managed to croak out a response, my voice betraying my apprehension. "Is there something specific you wanted to discuss, Miss Hathway?"

"Why have you been distracted during class? If it's because my teaching skills are boring, please let me know," she inquired, her question catching me entirely off guard. I hadn't anticipated such a direct question from her, and her openness surprised me. Her tone conveyed a sense of genuine curiosity, and her straightforward approach left me momentarily speechless.

However, what truly took me by surprise was the gentle, angelic chuckle that followed my stunned reaction. The sound, like delicate chimes, was unlike anything I had ever heard. In that moment, it felt as if I was encountering an ethereal being, and her laughter stirred a warmth within me. My cheeks flushed with embarrassment, but the enchantment of that huckle lingered, leaving me entranced and speechless once more.

Caught off guard, I stammered, "I... I don't know."

Her amusement was evident as she chuckled softly. "I hope my teaching isn't that dull."

Embarrassment tinted my cheeks as I realized how my distraction might be perceived. "No, it's not that. I just... my mind wandered."

Arching an eyebrow, she seemed intrigued. "Wandered to where?"

I hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. "Just... thoughts. You know, random things."

Amusement flickered in her eyes, a glint of understanding that felt surprisingly comforting. "Well, Alex, while I value your honesty, I hope you'll find it easier to stay focused in the future. There's a wealth of knowledge waiting to be absorbed in this class."

Her words held an intriguing mix of authority and a light-heartedness that caught me off guard. I nodded, my response sincere. "Of course, Miss Hathway."

A lingering smile graced her lips, and I found myself drawn to her presence once again. Eventually, she returned to her desk, gently dismissing me. As I left the classroom, my thoughts remained entrenched in the aura of the enigmatic professor, and the memory of her captivating ocean blue ice eyes remained etched in my mind.

Reuniting with Caroline for our next class, I was acutely aware that this day would be indelibly etched in my memory. It had commenced with an unexpected encounter that had thrown me off balance, and the persistent distraction of those ocean blue eyes that seemed to linger in the corners of my mind. As I settled into my seat, I couldn't shake the feeling that this experience had set the stage for a new chapter in my life – one filled with mystery, intrigue, and the haunting allure of those captivating eyes.