The campus buzzed with movement and noise. Students hurried past with maps,coffee cups, and nervous laughter, their voices blending into a restless humming.
After a few minutes, I spotted Marie near the main courtyard, wavingenthusiastically.I hurried over, and Marie wrapped me in a quick hug that smelled faintly of citrus shampoo and the familiar, comforting scent of worn cotton and unscented lotion.
"You made it!" Marie said. "How's the college girl feeling?"
"Nervous. Overwhelmed. Mildly hungry," I replied, managing a laugh. "But mostly glad you're here."
We fell into step together, weaving through the crowds as Marie pointed out buildings and gossip she'd already collected from orientation. I tried to follow, but my eyes kept snagging on unfamiliar faces and looming lecture halls.The pavement underfoot felt almost too smooth, footsteps too loud in my ears.
Then it happened….My heel caught on an uneven edge. My stomach lurched as I slipped forward, hoping for the sting of concrete on my knees. Instead, a pair of strong hands caught me around the arms and steadied me before I fell.
"Whoa, got you," a voice said, low and a little surprised.I blinked up at the stranger holding me. He was tall, with an average build that still felt solid beneath his hoodie. Those hazel eyes searched my face with concern,framed by short,wavy dark-brown hair that looked like it never quite behaved the way he wanted it to.
"Are you alright?" he asked, his voice low and serious.
"Sorry, I—uh—thank you," I stammered. "I wasn't looking where I was going."
"It happens," he said, the corners of his mouth lifting a little higher. "First day?"
"Is it that obvious?" I muttered.
"A bit," he admitted, then glanced past her at Marie. "I'm Ryan, nice to meet you!"
"Scarlet," I replied, suddenly clumsy around my own name.
"Guess I'll see you around," he said.
"Yeah," I replied, "See you around"
As he walked away, Marie poked me with a knowing smirk. "Well, that was interesting."
"Shut up," I muttered, but I couldn't help glancing over one more time, catching a glimpse of the back of Ryan's hoodie disappearing into the crowd.
Marie nudged me forward, pulling me from the moment. "Come on, we'll be late for lecture classes."