"Dad, I'm scared. It's my first day. Are you sure you're not coming to drop me?"

"It's not your first day at university tomorrow, Bella. You should be more mature now, you know that, right?" His voice, lower than usual, carried a subtle weight, emphasizing his last words.

"Yeah, I know, but I'm scared. I've always been anxious at the beginning of a new semester," I confess, my worry evident in my voice.

"No worries, princess. I believe in you," Dad reassures, his words a comforting balm to my nerves.

"Thank you. Now, I should get going before I'm late."

I hastily grab my bag and books, stealing a quick glance at myself in the mirror while fixing my hair and makeup. Ready to face the day, I reflect on the simplicity of my appearance. Dressing up and applying heavy makeup never held appeal for me. I roll my eyes at the mocking voice in my head, "After all, for whom will you dress up?" Before stepping inside the gates of Eastern Chestwoodnut University, I take a deep breath and recite my secret mantra in my head, "Everything is going to be fine."

The rhythmic reassurance echoes, becoming a shield against the uncertainties that lie beyond the entrance. With newfound resolve, I enter the realm of academia, where challenges await, and the promise of growth and discovery lingers in the air.

As I locked eyes with him, a wave of emotions crashed over me like a sudden storm. His gaze held a mixture of intensity and familiarity, as if we were connected by some invisible thread that drew us together. The bustling surroundings faded into the background, leaving only the two of us in a suspended moment.

The corners of his lips curled into a subtle, enigmatic smirk that hinted at a shared secret or an unspoken understanding. His presence felt magnetic, pulling me closer without any effort on his part. Time seemed to slow down as we stood there, the world around us muted by the unspoken tension in the air. In that instant, I couldn't help but notice the way his tousled hair fell across his forehead, giving him an effortlessly cool and slightly mysterious allure. His every movement seemed deliberate, as if he were navigating the space around us with purpose. The air was charged with a quiet electricity, leaving me on the edge of anticipation.

I mustered the courage to break the silence, my voice carrying a mix of uncertainty and curiosity, "Is there something on my face?, stop starring at me'' I said. His response was a mere raise of his eyebrows, followed by.

''You ain't miss Universe, why should I?'' a gesture that conveyed volumes without the need for words.

It was as if he possessed the ability to communicate through the unspoken language of glances and gestures. As we continued to exchange silent communication, the world resumed its normal pace around us. Yet, in that moment, it felt like we were caught in a timeless dance, our connection transcending the mundane and tapping into something deeper, something unexplainable yet undeniably real.

''Jerk'' i muttered under my breath Aishi's presence was a welcome interruption, her lively energy contrasting with the subtle intensity that lingered from the moment with him.

With her hands on her hips, she radiated a mix of sass and playfulness, instantly evoking memories of my mom's no-nonsense attitude.

My cheeks warmed as I fumbled for words, caught off guard by her unexpected arrival.

"How long have you been here?" I stammered, feeling a sense of vulnerability in the aftermath of our silent exchange.

Aishi's response was laced with a teasing tone, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Well, well, the entire second that you two were staring. I can tell the staring competition is real. It's cute in a way."

Her chuckle added a lightness to the moment, breaking the tension and transforming it into something more playful. In response to her playful remark, I playfully smacked her arm, and true to her dramatic nature, Aishi pretended to be deeply wounded. With an exaggerated expression, she wiped an invisible tear from the corner of her eyes, drawing out the laughter that had been building up within us. The shared laughter served as a bridge, connecting us and dispelling any lingering awkwardness.

As we entered our elective class together, the atmosphere shifted from the unspoken tension to a more relaxed camaraderie. Aishi's vibrant personality provided a refreshing contrast to the earlier moment, reminding me that life is a blend of intense emotions and lighthearted moments, often intertwined in unexpected ways.

As Mr. Barnes continued his lecture on the philosophy of nature, the trio's entrance had brought an unexpected shift in the classroom atmosphere. Florian, Justin, and Shezaad, the revered figures of Eastern Chestwoodnut University, had a way of commanding attention without uttering a single word. Their presence alone caused ripples of excitement among the girls present, turning an ordinary class into a spectacle of whispers and giggles. Despite the allure surrounding them, I found solace in my chosen seat in the front row.

Here, I could immerse myself in the philosophical discourse, shielded from the distracting stares and whispers that accompanied the arrival of the trio. The lecture on the Greek definition of nature unfolded, but the ambient noise persisted. Curiosity got the better of me, and I lifted my gaze to investigate the cause of the commotion. That's when I realized - the trio had returned, and their arrival was enough to set the classroom abuzz. Florian, with his striking presence, scanned the room, and our eyes locked momentarily. His lips curved into that infamous smirk, a trademark that left most girls weak in the knees. However, I was determined not to succumb to the charm that seemed to work effortlessly on others.

As the trio settled in, the classroom transformed into a silent battlefield of stolen glances and hushed conversations. It was as if an invisible force field surrounded them, drawing the attention of everyone in its vicinity. The lecture became a backdrop to the unspoken drama playing out among the students, each one secretly vying for a moment of acknowledgment from the trio.

Despite the distraction, I maintained my focus on the lecture, determined to extract the essence of the philosophical teachings. The juxtaposition of academic pursuit and the magnetic allure of the trio created a unique atmosphere, where the pursuit of knowledge and the allure of the extraordinary coexisted, if only for a fleeting moment in the lecture hall of Eastern Chestwoodnut University. Thankfully I don't belong to those categories, such a waste of energy to run behind boys just for attention. That's pathetic.

As Aishi's voice echoed in my head, a sharp "Bitch, stop staring" snapped me back to reality.

Blinking away my trance, I found the Greek Gods, Florian and Shezaad, making their way towards us. The familiarity of the situation heightened as I recognized one of them - Justin. Aishi's brother and my childhood friend, Justin had always been a constant in my life. As they approached, the air seemed to change, charged with an energy that accompanied the presence of the trio. Justin's easy smile and friendly demeanor provided a comforting contrast to the mystique that surrounded Florian and Shezaad. It was a reminder that, behind the exterior of Greek God allure, there were genuine connections and friendships.

I couldn't help but wonder how Aishi and Justin were related to Florian and Shezaad. The dynamics between the trio intrigued me, as did the unspoken rules of their interaction. Florian, known for his intellect, carried an air of mystery that set him apart. The reputation of his sharp mind had preceded him, making him more than just a heartthrob.

As they reached us, the chemistry between the three was palpable. Aishi, always unapologetically herself, exchanged banter with Justin, while Florian and Shezaad exuded an aura of quiet confidence. It was a unique blend of personalities converging in the midst of the mundane classroom setting. The unspoken tension that had lingered earlier now dissipated, replaced by a more relaxed atmosphere, surprisingly Florian sat beside me causing an outbreak of whispers in the classroom.

The presence of Justin bridged the gap between the enigmatic allure of the Greek Gods and the familiar comfort of friendship. As we exchanged greetings and shared smiles, the classroom seemed to transform into a stage where the ordinary and extraordinary coexisted, leaving me curious about the stories and connections that unfolded beyond the surface of appearances.

The laughter echoed in the classroom as Justin's teasing about his "baby sis" filled the air a bit too loudly. The whole class joined in, and even Mr. Barnes couldn't help but crack a smile at the unexpected humor injected into his philosophy class.

"Oh, no worries, Bel! Is my baby sis annoying you again?" Justin's emphasis on the words boomed across the room, and the laughter intensified.

In an attempt to play it cool, I winked at him, trying to maintain my composure. However, Florian, with his amused expression, caught my attention. His bluish grey eyes sparkled with amusement, and a subtle smirk played on his lips. It was a moment of unexpected connection amid the sea of laughter. But the situation took a turn for the worse when I shifted my attention back to Aishi, only to catch her whispering a colorful curse under her breath. I couldn't contain my laughter, and unfortunately, it was a bit too loud. The entire class, including Mr. Barnes, turned their attention to me.

To my horror, Mr. Barnes decided to address the unexpected disruption.

"Miss Bellinghton," he called out, making me feel like a spotlight was suddenly on me.

"You think this class is funny? Why did you even select this module if you knew you wouldn't follow my class?" feeling embarrassed and caught off guard, I opened my mouth to respond, but the words seemed to have taken a sudden vacation.

All I managed was a nervous, awkward smile, adding to the amusement of the class. The situation had turned into a comically embarrassing spectacle, with me standing there, flushed and speechless, as the laughter continued to echo in the philosophy lecture hall.

"Sit down and focus" Mr Barnes roared.

As the class finally came to an end, a wave of relief washed over me. The philosophy of nature should have been an intriguing subject, yet the dark cloud of Mr. Barnes' presence cast a shadow over the entire experience. It wasn't that I disliked the topic; in fact, my passion for nature and its theories ran deep. However, the constant barrage of scoldings and the sheer frustration that built up over four semesters had turned the class into a dreaded ordeal.

I couldn't quite pinpoint why Mr. Barnes had taken such a disliking to me. Maybe it was the way he delivered his lectures, or perhaps it was an unfortunate clash of personalities. Regardless, the mere thought of his lectures increased my phobia, creating an aversion that extended beyond the subject matter.