Alisha POV
"Freshman year…" I groaned, pulling the blanket over my head before forcing myself to open my eyes.
The room was still quiet, the early morning light sneaking in through the curtains. My heart was already racing, and I couldn't tell if it was excitement or fear. Probably both.
I felt anxious, yes—but there was also this hopeful feeling deep inside me. University was supposed to be a fresh start. A new life. A chance to finally figure myself out.
I sat up and glanced toward the other side of the room. Mandy was still asleep, her phone loosely resting in her hand.
She'd practically been awake all night on a video call with her boyfriend. I shook my head slightly, amused. Love already? On day one? Could never be me.
I dragged myself out of bed and headed to the bathroom to freshen up. Cold water against my face helped calm my nerves. Okay, Ali. First official day. First impressions matter.
Back in the room, I stood in front of my closet, arms crossed, staring like the clothes were about to talk back to me. What do you wear on your first day of university? Too simple and you look boring.
Too much and you look like you're trying too hard.
After a lot of silent debating, I finally chose a fitted white top, high-waisted jeans that hugged me just right, and my favorite sneakers.
Comfortable, clean, confident. I threw on a light jacket, added a small necklace, and checked myself in the mirror.
I smiled.
I looked gorgeous.
And yes, I should probably say this—I'm kind of someone who has absolute confidence in herself. Not the loud, attention-seeking type.
Just the quiet kind. The kind that knows her worth.
Since I'd already been shown around campus, finding my way to my first lecture wasn't too hard. GES 101.
Walking across the quad, the morning air felt fresh, and the campus buzzed with life. Students laughed, talked, rushed past with coffee cups and notebooks. It finally hit me.
I'm really here.
Inside the lecture hall, I scanned for a seat and slid into one near the middle.
A few seconds later, a girl dropped into the seat beside me.
"Hey," she said, flipping her hair effortlessly. "I'm Sarah."
She was gorgeous. Like fashion baddie gorgeous. Perfect nails, stylish outfit, confidence written all over her.
"I'm Alisha. Ali," I replied.
She smiled. "I like your outfit. Simple but clean."
I laughed softly. "Thank you. Yours too."
Before I could even settle properly, a guy slid into the seat on my other side.
"Mind if I sit here?" he asked.
Cute. That was the first word that came to mind. Soft smile, warm eyes, charming voice.
"I'm Danny," he added.
Turns out, Danny was… a lot. Sweet, intelligent, funny without trying. The kind of guy every girl secretly—or openly—had a crush on. I noticed the glances he got. The whispers. The giggles from behind.
But not me.
He was lovely, handsome, charming, and clearly one of a kind—but my heart didn't flutter for him. Instead, I felt comfortable. Safe. Like he was someone I could actually be myself around.
By the end of the lecture, it felt like I'd known Sarah and Danny for months. We laughed quietly, exchanged numbers, and agreed to sit together again.
Just like that… friends.
As I packed my notebook, that strange feeling returned.
That feeling of being watched.
I looked up.
Across the hall.
Dark hair. Calm posture.
Him.
The same guy from yesterday.
Our eyes met for a brief moment. My breath hitched. He didn't smile. Didn't look away quickly either.
Just looked at me like he was trying to read something I didn't even understand myself.
Then my phone vibrated in my hand.
I frowned and glanced down at the screen.
Unknown Number: Enjoying your first day, Ali?
My heart skipped.
My fingers tightened around the phone. No one here knew my nickname like that. Slowly, I looked back up.
The seat where he'd been sitting was empty.
Gone.
"Ali?" Sarah whispered. "You okay?"
I forced a smile and locked my phone. "Yeah. Just… tired."
But my heart was racing now.
As we walked out of the lecture hall together—Sarah talking about outfits, Danny joking about the lecturer—I barely heard them. My mind was stuck on that message. On that look.
Freshman year had just begun.
New friends. New feelings.
And someone who already knew my name.
Someone I wasn't ready for.
*★*★*★*★*★*★*★*★*★*★*★*★*★*★*★*★
Hi everyone 🖤
There's an unknown number she can't ignore.
And a dark-haired boy whose glance makes her heart skip every single time.
He's always there… close enough to notice, far enough to remain a mystery.
But what happens when their eyes finally meet for longer than a second?
What happens when they finally talk?
Find out in the next chapter tomorrow ✨