Author POV
The early morning sun wasshed over the grand courtyard of Cambridge university, lighting up the old store building with a golden sheen.
The air buzzed with quite excitement----word had spread quietly.
"Did you hear? The architecture exchange student from NYC arrived today".
"They're the top once from the states, right? "
"Yeah, I heard one of them a genius girl... Really cute too".
Student whispered, eyes drating towards the group that has just entered the main path ----Jay and her seven teammates walking side by side, looking around in awe.
Jay walked at the center, bunny backpack bouncing lightly behind her, her short height making her look like the younger in the the group. Her pink full-sleeve crop top and denim shorts caught the sunlight, her soft bangs brushing her forehead as she smiled at everything she saw, the ivy-covered walls, the towering gates, even the squirrel darting between the trees.
She looked like someone who didn't belong in the world of sharp lines and serious faces---- yet somehow, she fit perfectly.
A group of Cambridge University students leaned closer, whispered. "She so tiny... Is she really a college student".
"She looks like she's in high school! "
"But look at that confidence, she's adorable! ".
Jay could feel the states but didn't mind. She was too busy trying not to trip over her own sneakers on the cobblestone path.
Mica leaned towards her with a grin " Jay, you're trending already ".
She looked up, blinked innocently. " Trending? For what? "
"Being you", she teased.
She pouted, swatting her arm. " Mean! "
Jay POV
I could feel everyone staring. I mean everyone.
Everywhere I look, people were whispering, smiling, turning around. It was weird.
Do I something on my face!? Or maybe I look lost?
I checked my my reflection quickly on my phone screen. Nope , all good.
Maybe they are just curious about us, I told myself, trying to shake off the awkwardness.
Mr. Hudson was walking ahead of us, explaining, "you'll meet the dean first, then the student coordinators from the business faculty, they'll be assisting with your project collaboration".
Business faculty? Great. Serious people. Strict faces.
Not exactly my favorite crowd.
I tagged at my sleeves, feeling nervous all of a sudden.
I wasn't scared of people----- I could talk to anyone, but walking into a place where everyone already seemed to be judging you? Yeah, that hid differently.
Mica leaned closer again, whispered, "you good? "
I nodded. "Fine.just... New place jitters".
She smiled softly. " You'll be fine, Jay. You always are"
I took a deep breath,. Okay, jasper Jean. Smille. You got this ".
Author POV
The architecture group approached the main hall where the welcoming committee waited, professor, student leader, and coordinator,. The entire area looked regal, polished marble floors, banners with Cambridge emblem, and tall window streaming soft sunlight.
Among the student representative was mark keifer watson, standing with his team. He was dressed sharply ----- black shirt, sleeves rolled neatly, and his ID tag glinting against his chest. His tall frame made him stand out instantly.
Keifer wasn't particularly interested in meeting the visitor. He was here because the dean had asked for the top business student to coordinate logistics for the architectural collaboration.
He leaned against the wall, arm cross, listening half -heartesly as the introduction began.
His teammates were whispering, just like the crowd outside.
"Apparently, there's tiny architect girl from Stanford everyone talking about".
" Yeah, I saw her picture. She's... Cute, man".
Keifer rolled his eyes slightly. "We're here for work, not a fan club".
But as the group entered the Hall, his gaze instinctively shifted----and froze.
Their she was.
That same figure from the courtyard.
Pink sleeves. Bunny backpack. Bright eyes.
Jay.
She stood in front of the dean now, smiling shyly, her voice soft as she introduced herself.
"Good morning, sir. I'm Jasper Jean Mariano. You can call me Jay ".
Keifer's heartbeat stumbled----something about her voice felt like sunshine wrapped in sound.
He didn't realize he was staring until Daniel, one of the architecture boys, elbowed his friend and whispers too loudly, " Man, everyone crushing on her already ".
Keifer turned his face away, pretending to be uninterested.
But his lips twitched. Just slightly.
Jay pov
Okay, deep breath. Smile. Don't trip. Don't say anything dumb.
" Good morning, sir. I'm Jasper Jean Mariano,. You can call me Jay. "
The dean smiled warmly. "Welcome to Cambridge, miss Mariano. We've heard much about you and your team. You'll be working closely with our business and design faculty during this collaboration. "
I nodded politely, clutching my folder tightly. My eyes drifted briefly---and that's when I saw him.
A tall guy at the back, dark shirt, serious face, arms crossed. He wasn't even pretending to pay attention--- just standing there like he owned the place.
For some reason that annoyed me.
Okay, mister cool guy, maybe smile? It won't kill you.
He glanced up right then, eyes locking with mine for a second.
His gaze was sharp ---- not rude, just intense.
I looked away instantly, heart skipping.
Nope. Not doing this. I came here for architecture, not for y'all, mysterious men who look like they don't care about anything.
Keifer POV
He hasn't meant to stare. He just couldn't help it.
There was something about her.
There was something about her.
The way she stood---- small but sure.
The way she smiled like she wasn't trying to impress anyone.
The way her pink sleeves contrasted against the cold, gray wall.
And that bunny backpack.
It should have looked childish. But somehow... It looked perfect on her.
He smirked quietly to himself. "What a strange girl", he thought. " Our of place.. .. Yet somehow fits everywhere. "
"Keifer" One of his friends, Aaron, whispers. "You zoning out again? She's from Stanford, right? "
Keifer didn't answer. His gaze flicked toward her once more ---- just as she looked his way.
For half a second, their eyes met again.
He saw a flash of annoyance on her face ----her brows furrowing slightly.
It made him chuckle internally.
So the little bunny bites, huh?
He turned back toward the dean, trying to focus, but his thought kept slipping back.
Author POV
The introduction went on, names, handshake, schedule. The two group stood facing each other, exchanging polite smilis and curious glances.
The professors discused the collaboration structure, design meet business, creativity meets strategy.
But beneath all the formal words, something subtle was happening.
Fate was quietly weaving threads.
The whispers around the Hall grew again.
"She's the one everyone is talking about".
"Look how tiny she is next to them. "
"Is she.... Smiling at him? "
Jay heard bits of it, cheeks warming. Why are they staring so much?
Keif heard it too, smirks faintly. Of course they'd notice her.
Two world, chaos and control, had just crossed paths.
And though neither of them said a word to each other yet...
Both had felt it.
That strange spark of curiosity.
That quiet tension that the air itself could feel.
Something had began.
To be continued....
_________________________________________
Plz comment guys.
It's give me motivation to write new chapter.