After Steffie walked away, Karl lingered in the hallway for a moment longer, basking in his small victory.
"She looked back… That's a win, right?"
He let out a small laugh and then checked the time.
"Oh crap… I've been out for too long!"
He hurried back toward Room 219, careful not to look like he was running, but his fast steps betrayed the urgency.
---
Inside the Classroom
As he entered the room, the teacher turned mid-sentence and narrowed his eyes at Karl.
"Mr. Wilson. How long does it take to go to the washroom?"
Karl scratched the back of his neck, flashing an awkward smile.
"Uh… I got a little lost. First day, new building… you know how it is."
The class chuckled lightly. The teacher didn't look convinced, but he sighed and gestured toward the seat.
"Just sit down. Don't make it a habit."
"Yes, sir."
Karl slid back into his window seat, still slightly flustered. The classroom was warmer now, filled with students half-listening and half-daydreaming. Some scribbled notes, others stared at their phones under the desk.
From the corner of his eye, Karl thought of the girl next door—the second-floor senior with the name "Steffie Bayron."
A faint smile crept onto his face again.
"This day's already better than I ever imagined."
---
The Bell Rings – Lunchtime
As the teacher packed up his materials and left the classroom, students instantly began buzzing with energy.
Some rushed to the cafeteria. Others pulled out lunchboxes, laughing with their newly formed friend groups. Karl stayed in his seat for a moment, looking out the window, unsure if he should go find Steffie again—or let her come to him.
Before he could make a decision, a voice interrupted him.
"Hey."
Karl turned and saw a boy standing beside his desk—average height, slightly messy hair, sharp eyes behind a pair of thin-rimmed glasses. His uniform was a bit wrinkled, and his tie was loose around his neck. But he had a genuine smile.
"Mind if I sit here for a second?" the boy asked, pointing at the empty desk beside Karl's.
"Go ahead," Karl nodded, a bit surprised.
The boy dropped his bag and sat down.
"I've been meaning to talk to you. Name's Liam. Liam Rozek."
"You seemed chill since morning, even when you were late, and somehow the teacher didn't give you detention. Impressive."
Karl laughed.
"Karl Wilson. And nah, I just used my 'lost freshman' card. Only works once, I think."
Liam leaned in a bit.
"You from around here?"
"Yeah, moved nearby last year. You?"
"Same. This is my first time in this kind of college—huge, full of people, kinda overwhelming. But seeing you talk back to the teacher, then zone out like nothing happened? I figured I'd rather be friends with someone like you than eat alone every day."
Karl was taken aback for a second. Then he smiled, this time more sincerely.
"Sure. Friends, then."
Liam extended a fist. Karl bumped it without hesitation.
---
"By the way…" Liam lowered his voice, leaning in with a smirk,
"I saw you talking to a senior girl earlier. Cute one. Are you already scoring with the second-years?"
Karl chuckled, resting his chin on his palm.
"Let's just say… it's complicated. And maybe a little hopeful."
"Damn, you are confident."
They both stood up, heading toward the cafeteria together.
"Come on," Karl said, "Lunch tastes better when you're not eating alone."
And for the first time that day, Karl wasn't just a confident flirt or the new guy chasing a senior—he was also just a first-year student, finally making a friend.