The morning sun streamed through Racheal's window, casting a golden glow across her room. She moved around with quiet efficiency, humming a soft tune as she brushed her hair in the bathroom. The steam from the shower still clung to the air, leaving her skin feeling fresh and invigorated.
Today, she chose a soft lavender blouse, the fabric light and flowing, paired with a pair of high-waisted black trousers that hugged her form neatly. A thin silver necklace rested against her collarbone, catching the morning light, and her flats clicked softly against the bathroom tiles as she finished dressing. Feeling composed and fresh, she gave herself a small nod in the mirror, satisfied with her look.
After double-checking that she had everything she needed, Racheal grabbed her bag and stepped out, locking the door behind her. The walk to the bus station was calm, the crisp morning air brushing against her face, carrying with it the faint scent of blooming flowers from the campus gardens. She hummed lightly, enjoying the peaceful start to her day.
The bus ride was smooth, with the occasional chatter of other students filling the air. Racheal kept to herself, mentally reviewing her schedule and the tasks ahead. By the time she reached the campus, the familiar buildings and bustling crowd of students made her feel grounded.
She made her way to her locker, quickly gathering the books she would need for her first classes. The metallic clink of the locker closing echoed briefly, and she tucked her bag securely on her shoulder. With a deep breath, she walked across the campus lawn, the morning sun warming her face, and found her usual seat in the lecture hall just as the chatter began to settle.
Racheal sat down, placing her bag neatly beside her and arranging her books in order. She let her gaze wander briefly to the students around her, each absorbed in their own world. Then, taking another deep breath, she opened her notebook, ready to focus on the lesson ahead, though a part of her mind still lingered on the events of the past few days.
The room hushed momentarily as the lecture hall doors swung open. All eyes turned toward the entrance, and Racheal's heart skipped a beat. Mr. Unknown strode in, his presence commanding attention as if he owned the space. His dark eyes scanned the room effortlessly before landing on an empty seat near the middle. Without a word, he moved through the rows and sat down with an ease that made heads turn.
Racheal's chest tightened, a mix of surprise, nervousness, and something else she couldn't quite name swirling inside her. She pressed her hand lightly to her notebook, pretending to jot something down while stealing quick glances at him. The rhythm of the lecture began, but her thoughts kept drifting to the man who seemed to make the entire room fade into the background with just his presence.