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"Thank you very much for that brilliant answer, Miss Henderson. You may take your seat."

Tiana sat back down confidently, pride warming her chest. All eyes lingered on her for a moment, silently admiring her intelligence.

Tiana Henderson was twenty-seven and had recently earned her first degree in Mass Communication before enrolling in English and Literary Studies for a second degree. Creative writing had always been her passion, and she approached learning with quiet eagerness and determination.

The class continued with the same energy it had started with. Professor Edward was witty, the students engaged, and the discussion flowed effortlessly. Before they knew it, the session was over - though it had seemed to end in the blink of an eye. Students shuffled their bags, some lingering to check phones or chat with friends, while others filed out of the room, still buzzing from the lecture.

"Your answer was amazing," a voice said from behind as Tiana organized her bag.

She looked up to see a young woman smiling at her.
"Oh, thank you. It wasn't easy coming up with it on the spot," Tiana replied.

"No, seriously, you nailed it. I'm Nora," the woman said, extending her hand.

"I'm Tiana. Nice to meet you, Nora," Tiana said with a smile as she shook her hand.

Just like that, conversation flowed easily, as though they had known each other for years.

"So, where to now?" Nora asked.

"My next class isn't until 1:00 p.m., so I'm free until then," Tiana replied.

"Same here. I haven't had breakfast yet. Want to grab something to eat?"

"Sure," Tiana said with a smile.

They made their way to the cafeteria, which was warm and bustling. Sunlight streamed through the windows, glinting off trays and polished floors. The smell of fresh bread, brewed coffee, and sizzling eggs filled the air, mingling with the low murmur of conversation.

"What do you think of Professor Edward? Personally, I think he's great. I really enjoyed his class," Nora said between bites.

"The class was interesting. Hopefully the others will be too," Tiana replied, sipping from her water bottle.

"Yeah. I've read some of his books as well. They're quite popular in Havenbrook."

"He works here, so obviously he's well-known," Tiana said lightly.

"No, not the university. The town. Havenbrook," Nora corrected, raising her brows. "You haven't heard of Professor Keane's books?"

"No. I'm new to Havenbrook," Tiana admitted.

"Wait... really?"

"Yeah. I don't live here. I came here just for school."

"Wow, that's great. Don't worry, you'll love it here. If you have any questions at all, just ask me," Nora said, smiling warmly.

"Sure," Tiana replied, returning the smile.

"So, where have you visited since you arrived?" Nora asked.

Tiana thought for a moment.
"Honestly? I haven't really toured the town much."

"You're definitely missing out," Nora said, a teasing smile on her face. "You haven't been to our famous restaurant? Or the market?"

Tiana shook her head. "Nope, not yet."

"Beth's Beauty Care?" Nora pressed.

"I've only been to Havenbrook University. Don't blame me. I barely go out," Tiana laughed.

"You haven't even been to Beth's Beauty Care? We're definitely fixing that. You need to see more of Havenbrook beyond the campus," Nora said, and they both laughed.

***

The sun cast long shadows across the quiet streets of Havenbrook. Outside a modest shop, a small sign read: Beth's Beauty Care. Inside, women of all ages gathered, chatting happily while having their hair styled or nails done.

Beth's Beauty Care was one of the town's most famous establishments. Almost every young woman in Havenbrook had visited at some point. It was run by Elizabeth, a lively and confident middle-aged woman who managed the salon with ease, supported by a few younger assistants.

Her friends, women around her age, often came by to keep her company, exchanging laughter and discussing what they jokingly called "necessary issues." The salon was more than just a place for beauty treatments; it was a hub of town life, warm, bustling, and full of stories.

Though Havenbrook had other salons, BBC - as it was often called - was by far the most successful and well-known. That was why Nora had been so surprised to learn that Tiana had never set foot inside.

***

Laughter and light chatter spilled from the classroom that morning, a familiar soundtrack whenever Professor Keane was teaching. One of the things that made his classes so engaging was his use of real-life scenarios to illustrate lessons.

"No, but honestly, if my life were a book, it would definitely be a comedy," he said, and the students erupted into laughter.

He had a way with words, a natural charm that made even complex topics feel approachable. It wasn't surprising - he was a writer himself - but there was something about his teaching style that drew attention effortlessly.

After class, the students began shuffling out, chatting and gathering their belongings.

"Tiana!" Nora called from the hallway.

"I'll be right out. Wait for me," Tiana replied with a smile.

She waited patiently until the room emptied before approaching Professor Keane, her steps calm but deliberate.

"Hello, Professor," she greeted.

"Hello, Miss Henderson. How are you today?"

"I'm doing well," she replied, a small, polite smile on her lips, her eyes bright with quiet confidence.

"Do you need anything?" His voice was warm, and his attention focused fully on her.

"I just wanted to say I really enjoyed the class," Tiana said.

"Oh, I'm glad you did. That's the joy of teaching," he replied. "You're also performing very well. Keep it up."

"Thank you, sir," she said, clutching a book tightly to her chest.

"Is that my book?" he asked, pointing at it. ''We Are All Villains?"

"Yes, sir," she said, sliding it out from under her arm. "I just started reading it. It's amazing."

"I wrote that one ten years ago. Time really does fly," he said with a faint smile. "You like mystery novels, then?"

"Yes, sir. They're my favorite genre to read," she answered.

"Interesting." He arched an eyebrow, intrigued.

"I've read The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Shutter Island, Gone Girl, and a few others. I love mysteries that keep you guessing until the end." she added, her voice confident. "I enjoyed them all."

"That's impressive. Well done," he said, nodding.

"Thank you, sir. I want to be a writer, especially of mystery novels, but it hasn't been easy."

"I understand completely," he said. "Being a mystery writer is no small feat. I wrote my first book in my thirties. Better late than never. Don't give up on your dream. Go for it, and I'll help in any way I can."

Tiana's eyes softened. "Thank you so much, Professor. That really means a lot."

"You don't have to thank me, Miss Henderson. Your answers in class alone show that you're talented and gifted," he assured her.

"Thank you, sir." She paused for a moment, her fingers tightening around the book. "To be honest, I'm currently working on a story of my own. It's not finished. It's just something I've been trying out to keep myself busy."

"Really?"

"Yes, sir. I'd appreciate it if you could take a look. Only if that's okay with you, of course."

"I'd love to. That's perfectly fine," he said, smiling warmly.

"Thank you so much, sir."

"You're welcome. What's the title?"

Tiana hesitated, taking a slow breath. "Um... it's kind of funny. I couldn't think of anything better at the time. I might change it later." She forced a small laugh.

"There's no need to feel embarrassed. What seems funny now could mean something serious later. So... what is it?"

She drew in another deep breath and let it out slowly. "The First Draft."