The first week of university was supposed to feel like freedom. At least, that's what Mia kept telling me.
"New city, new faces, new opportunities," she chirped as we crossed the courtyard, her voice bubbling with excitement. "It's like a reset button. Don't you feel it?"
I nodded, even though my chest felt anything but light. To Mia, this was adventure. To me, it was survival. I had learned long ago that happiness was fragile, and people noticed you most when you wanted to disappear.
Still, I forced myself to smile at her, because Mia's world was brighter than mine, and I didn't want to dim it.
The lecture hall loomed ahead, buzzing with voices. I hated big classrooms. Too many people. Too many chances for my nerves to trip over themselves. I found a seat near the middle—visible enough not to look strange, hidden enough not to stand out.
Mia rushed to the front row, of course. She always did. I watched her wave and laugh with new friends like she belonged here already. Meanwhile, I sank into my seat, pulling out my notebook as though ink on paper could anchor me.
Then, it happened again.
The prickle.
The slow crawl of awareness, sliding over my skin, making the air around me thicken. Someone was watching me.
I glanced up, just for a second. Rows of students shifting, whispering, settling down. But then my gaze snagged—
on him.
A boy sitting three rows back.
Dark hair. Sharp jaw. Expression unreadable. His eyes—cold and unwavering—were locked on me like he had been waiting for me to notice.
The breath caught in my throat.
I looked away quickly, pretending to flip a page, my fingers trembling against the notebook. Don't make it obvious, Arielle. Don't draw attention. Don't let him know he unsettled you.
But my pulse wouldn't steady. My mind whispered what I refused to say out loud—
It's him. The one I've been feeling.
"Excuse me, is this seat taken?"
The sudden voice startled me. A different boy, warm-eyed and smiling, stood at the edge of my row. He had a messy backpack slung over his shoulder, his expression easy, harmless.
I shook my head quickly. "No… it's free."
"Thanks." He dropped into the seat beside me, unpacking his notes with casual clumsiness. "I'm Ethan, by the way."
"Arielle," I murmured, my voice almost swallowed by the noise around us.
"Nice to meet you, Arielle." He grinned, unbothered by my quietness.
I tried to smile back, but my thoughts weren't with him. They drifted behind me, three rows back, where I didn't dare look again. Where I could still feel the weight of his gaze, burning holes through my skin.
The professor began the lecture, her voice echoing across the hall. Pens scratched, laptops clicked, students leaned forward. I tried to focus, tried to take notes, but every line of ink blurred into shapes I couldn't process.
Because he was still there. Watching.
When the class finally ended, the relief was sharp. Students rushed out in groups, laughter and chatter spilling into the corridor. I packed my things slowly, hoping the feeling would vanish once I left the room.
It didn't.
As I stepped outside, weaving through the crowd, I risked one last glance over my shoulder.
He was still in his seat.
Still watching.
And this time, when our eyes met, he didn't look away.
My heart stuttered, panic clawing its way up my chest. I turned quickly, almost bumping into Mia waiting by the door.
"There you are!" she said brightly, grabbing my arm. "Come on, let's get lunch before the cafeteria fills up."
I let her pull me away, forcing my legs to move. Forcing myself not to look back again.
But even as we crossed the courtyard, surrounded by sunlight and laughter, I felt it—
that invisible thread stretched taut between us.
And somehow, I knew…
it wouldn't snap.
Not until he decided it would.