Sierra stepped off the car and looked around, her heart beating fast. College was huge—bigger than anything she had imagined. Buildings stretched higher than she had ever seen, and students rushed in every direction, laughing, talking, and sometimes bumping into each other. She swallowed, trying to calm her nerves.
Her brother squeezed her shoulder. "Don't worry. You'll be fine. Just act like yourself."
Sierra nodded, taking a deep breath. "Yeah… act like myself. That's easy enough," she muttered, though her stomach still felt like it had butterflies doing flips.
She walked through the campus gate, her bag bouncing against her back. Everything seemed new—the banners waving in the wind, the smell of fresh grass mixed with faint coffee from a nearby café, the chatter of students walking in groups, some carrying laptops, others juggling books.
Her eyes landed on a group of girls sitting under a tree, giggling and whispering. One of them waved at her. "Hey! You new here?"
Sierra waved back, smiling. "Yeah! First day. I'm Sierra."
"I'm Tanya, and this is Mia and Chloe. Come sit with us!" one of the girls said, patting the space beside them.
Sierra walked over, feeling shy at first, but then her natural talkative energy took over. "Hi! I'm Sierra… so, um… how long have you guys been here? Do you like it? Is it hard? And—oh! do you know where the cafeteria is? I'm starving!"
The girls laughed. "Wow, you talk fast! Don't worry, we'll show you around," Tanya said.
Sierra grinned. "Thanks! I just… like knowing everything. First days are scary, you know?"
The girls giggled and started showing her around, pointing out classrooms, the library, and the student center. Sierra asked questions about everything—the cafeteria menu, the best study spots, even the easiest way to find the bathrooms—and laughed nervously every time she realized she sounded like she was asking too many questions.
While she was chatting and laughing with her new friends, she didn't notice a man standing across the campus pathway, watching her from a distance. He was older, dressed sharply in a suit that looked expensive but effortless. His eyes were fixed on her, quietly studying the way she moved, the way she laughed, the way her hair caught the sunlight as she tilted her head while talking.
He didn't approach. Not yet. He only watched, a strange warmth creeping into his chest that he hadn't felt in years. Interesting… very interesting, he thought silently.
Sierra's new friends led her to the lecture hall, and she took a seat near the front. She listened as the professor introduced the course, trying to focus, but she couldn't stop glancing around at all the students. Everyone seemed so confident, and she felt a little out of place—but also excited.
After the first class, the girls invited her to grab a snack at the cafeteria. Sierra eagerly followed, chatting about her classes, the professors, and everything she had seen. Her laughter rang out, light and carefree, and she didn't notice the way a few students glanced her way, or the older man who was still lingering across campus, his attention never leaving her.
At the cafeteria, Sierra poured herself some juice and laughed as Tanya teased her about carrying too many books. "You're going to need a stronger backpack if you keep bringing all that!"
Sierra laughed. "Hey! I like to be prepared. You never know what you might need!"
Chloe smiled at her. "I like your energy. Most people here are so serious; you make it feel… fun."
Sierra beamed. "Thanks! I just… like to talk. It's easier than worrying too much."
As they ate, Sierra felt herself relax more. College was intimidating, yes, but it was also exciting. New friends, new experiences… and maybe, just maybe, some surprises along the way.
And somewhere across campus, the man's eyes followed her still, quietly fascinated. He didn't know why he felt this way, but something about the carefree, innocent girl who talked so freely had captured his attention—and it wouldn't let go.