It was Helena's first day at university.
The sun was shining and it was a great to be out and about at the campus of Saint Mary University. It was also not too far away from the Moonwalker camp so she wasn't too out of touch with Stephen.
The September sun bathed the campus in golden light, warming Helena's skin as students lounged on the emerald quad between classes, their laughter carrying on the gentle breeze that rustled through the ancient oak trees lining the pathways.
Or Shawn.
She still couldn't decide whom she wanted to be her soulmate.
The last month had been tough.
Not only were there duels to the death which didn't end up in death, but there were lovers' quarrels, and the occasional getting your head inside a video game.
Helena had titled that night's event as Enter the Matrix. It was so similar to the movie, The Matrix.
But now she really wanted to put all her thoughts into her studies. Firstly, she had to select her major.
Outside the student union building, a sprawling booth stretched beneath a fluttering burgundy banner that read "College of Arts & Humanities." Behind the folding tables, enthusiastic professors in tweed and teaching assistants with coffee-stained fingers arranged glossy brochures for dozens of majors—everything from English Literature to Cultural Anthropology to Classical Philosophy, each department's display competing for attention with colorful poster boards showcasing smiling graduates and promising career paths.
Helena finally got a chance to meet the professor situated in the booth titled "English Literature".
"You should take History instead." An unfamiliar female voice said from behind.
Helena turned around to find herself face-to-face with a girl about her age, with thick-rimmed tortoiseshell glasses perched on a button nose, dark hair twisted into a messy bun secured by what appeared to be a pencil, and a constellation of freckles scattered across pale cheeks that flushed pink when their eyes met.
"Is that what you're picking?" Helena asked confused because this new girl was standing in the same line as hers.
"Nah, but I like to guide others to treasures I cannot possess." The girl outstretched her hand. "Holly."
"Helena." They pleasantly shook hands.
"And I'm Professor Fox." The professor at the booth said.
Professor Fox leaned forward, his silver-streaked hair falling across his face as he gestured with ink-stained fingers at a dog-eared copy of "Jane Eyre." Holly's eyes lit up behind her glasses, and she nodded vigorously, her pencil threatening to tumble from her bun as she countered with an impassioned defense of modern romantasy novels.
Helena found herself caught between them, her voice rising with unexpected enthusiasm as she connected threads between classical romance and contemporary fantasy worlds, surprising herself with how much she cared.
**
The university cafeteria buzzed with nervous energy, a hive of first-day students jostling for position in snaking lines that stretched past stainless steel counters. Fluorescent lights bounced off plastic trays in red, blue, and yellow, while the mingled aromas of overcooked pasta, grilled cheese sandwiches, and industrial-strength coffee created a uniquely academic perfume.
At the center of the hall, beneath a massive skylight, upperclassmen claimed territories at long tables, their relaxed postures and knowing laughter forming islands of confidence in a sea of freshman uncertainty.
Helena and her newfound friend Holly sat across from each other at a table.
"So, you're a romantic." Holly smiled. "You must have a boyfriend, or a girlfriend, or both?"
Helena giggled. "Very straight to the point. And we just met."
"They say I'm naturally curious."
Helena was unperturbed. Even though she was fully aware that Holly was human a lot of supernatural beings attended this university.
"I'm between lovers at the moment." Helena explained. "Both male. For now."
Holly rolled her eyes. "Not shocking at all. You're so beautiful. And intelligent to boot."
Helena giggled again. "What makes you say that I'm intelligent?"
"Favorite author?"
"Sarah J. Maas." Helena answered with pride.
"See. Super intelligent. Or you wouldn't have a romantasy author as your favorite."
"Mind if I join you guys?" A new guy asked.
He stood before them with broad shoulders stretching his faded NASA t-shirt, forearms corded with veins that disappeared beneath rolled sleeves. Yet perched on his strong nose sat delicate wire-rimmed glasses that magnified thoughtful amber eyes, and a dog-eared paperback peeked from his back pocket.
His warm brown skin caught the cafeteria's fluorescent light as he shifted his weight, one hand adjusting those scholarly frames while the other gripped his tray with unmistakable strength.
Holly and Helena exchanged curious glances. The former seemed more interested in this new acquaintance.
"Sure!" Holly said gesturing towards an empty seat.
"Jake." The stranger introduced himself. "I overheard you like Sarah J. Maas?"
Helena blushed though not out of attraction but only shyness. "And?"
"I prefer Andy Weir, the science-fiction novelist." Jake explained.
What happened next was an hour of heated literary combat—Jake leaning forward with fingers splayed on the table, passionately defending the mathematical precision of orbital mechanics in "The Martian" while Holly countered by dramatically reading aloud from her phone the steamiest passage from "A Court of Mist and Fury," her voice dropping to a theatrical whisper that made nearby freshmen turn and stare.
Helena found herself caught between them, laughing until her sides ached as Jake mimicked a brooding fae lord with surprising accuracy and Holly calculated the improbability of surviving on potatoes alone, their trays of cafeteria food going cold and forgotten before them.
The last time she was so happy was with her original best friends, Priya and Ray.