The sun had risen with unusual intensity that morning—bold, golden rays streamed down like spotlights, piercing the misty calm of the town. It was the kind of morning that promised something new.
Inside the modest apartment on the second floor of a freshly painted building, life had only just begun to settle.
---
"Wilson Residence – 2nd Floor, Left Room"
Unopened boxes lined the walls of Karl's room—books, cables, and random memories still waiting to be unpacked. A new calendar hung crooked on the wall, with a red circle around today's date.
"Okay then…" Karl said to himself as he stood in front of the mirror, straightening his uniform.
"Now I'm ready to go to college. From today, I'm a college student."
A knock came at his door.
"Karl, breakfast is ready!" his mom called out. "Come down and eat before you're late! It's your first day—don't mess it up!"
He smiled. The voice was familiar, but everything else—this room, this town, this school—was not.
---
Earlier That Week
Just three days ago, the Wilson family had arrived in the neighborhood with a rented moving truck and tired eyes.
"It's smaller than our old place," Karl had said, looking at the new apartment building.
"But it's a fresh start," his father replied, patting him on the back.
"New city, new friends, new memories. Give it time."
Karl had nodded, unsure.
---
Back to the Present
Now, standing in his school uniform, Karl descended the stairs to the small dining space, where his mother had set the table.
"Are you nervous?" she asked, handing him a plate.
"A little," Karl admitted. "Everything's still unfamiliar. The area, the people… even the air smells different."
"You'll be fine. You always are," she said, brushing his hair back.
"Besides, it's not just your first day at college—it's a chance to make this place your home."
He nodded, eating quickly. There wasn't much time left.
---
After a quick breakfast and a quick check in the mirror, Karl opened the door to head out. The sun was fully awake now, bathing everything in a radiant glow. As he stepped outside, his eyes immediately caught sight of a girl walking a few meters ahead—her long, flowing hair swayed with each step, and the sunlight seemed to chase her.
Karl's heart skipped a beat.
"She's beautiful…" he murmured under his breath.
Then, squinting slightly, he noticed her uniform.
"Wait—she's wearing my college uniform? That means… she's going to the same college!"
A rush of conflicting thoughts hit him all at once.
"Should I talk to her? No… someone like her is out of my league. I'll just admire her from a distance. Maybe one day, I'll get a girlfriend like that..."
He began walking behind her, carefully adjusting his pace.
"I should walk faster… don't want people to think I'm following her."
---
At the College Gate
The college gate buzzed with energy—students milling about, taking pictures, greeting each other. Some were clearly long-time friends, others nervously clutching their bags, scanning the crowd for familiar faces. Groups formed naturally: boys, girls, mixed groups, even a few couples holding hands, whispering sweet nothings.
Karl took a deep breath.
"Everyone's already in a group. I guess I'm the lone wolf for now. Anyway, where did that girl go—?"
Suddenly, he turned—and bumped straight into her.
The world seemed to freeze for a second.
Her soft hair brushed against his shoulder, and her wide eyes locked with his. She looked startled, but not upset. Her books nearly fell but she caught them quickly.
"Oh, I'm so sorry!" she said with an apologetic smile. "I wasn't looking. I was trying to memorize something for my test…"
Karl, stunned but trying to play it cool, stammered,
"N-No, it's my fault. I should've been looking where I was going."
"It's okay," she replied, her smile now more relaxed.
Karl's eyes darted quickly to the ID card hanging from her lanyard.
> [Name: Steffie Bayron]
[Section: C-2]
[Group: Science]
A second-year student. She was his senior.
As she adjusted her bag and turned to leave, she looked back—just for a moment. Their eyes met again, but she quickly turned away.
"Hope we can meet again" Karl thinking while entering the college