The first day of college feels like standing at the edge of something enormous.
Like one step forward could change everything.
I wake up before my alarm.
For a few seconds, I forget where I am. The room feels unfamiliar. The ceiling is slightly higher than the one back home. The air different.
Then it hits me.
Apartment. College. Logan.
What happened in the Kitchen?
Last night.
My stomach flips.
I sit up slowly, running a hand through my hair. The apartment is quiet again, but this time it's morning quiet the kind that hums with potential instead of tension.
I glance at my phone.
7:12 a.m.
My first class isn't until nine.
Which means Daniel is probably already awake.
And Logan...
I stop that thought before it spirals.
Get it together, Bubulyn.
I swing my legs over the side of the bed and stand, stretching slightly before walking to my closet. I hesitate for a moment.
What do you wear on the first day of college when you're trying not to look like someone's little sister?
Not too dressed up, not too casual, and not trying too hard.
Infact not even looking like you tried at all.
I settle on high-waisted jeans and a soft cream top that falls just right fitted but not obvious. I leave my hair down, just lip gloss
Elegantly casual, casually elegant i don't know
But at least I hope it looks that way.
When I step into the hallway, the smell of coffee greets me.
Daniel is in the kitchen, leaning against the counter with his phone in one hand and a mug in the other.
"Morning, Bubu," he says without looking up.
"Morning."
I grab a mug for myself.
"First day," he says, finally glancing at me. "You ready?"
"As I'll ever be."
"You've got your schedule?"
"Yes."
"Walk to your first class with us."
I roll my eyes. "Daniel."
"What? It's on the way."
"It's not."
"It's close enough."
Before I can argue, another voice cuts in.
"She'll be fine."
I freeze slightly.
Logan steps out of their room, running a towel over his hair. He's wearing dark jeans and a fitted charcoal T-shirt.
My brain registers that detail before I can stop it.
Daniel frowns. "I know she'll be fine. I'm just saying..."
"She doesn't need an escort," Logan says calmly.
My eyes flick to him.
There's something different about him this morning.
Quieter.
More controlled.
But his gaze meets mine for half a second longer than necessary.
My pulse spikes.
Daniel sighs. "Fine. But text when you get there."
"I will."
He narrows his eyes at me. "Promise."
"I promise."
Logan pours himself coffee without looking at either of us.
But I feel it.
The awareness from last night hasn't disappeared.
It's just… buried.
And that somehow makes it worse.
Campus is alive when I step outside.
Students everywhere. Laughter, music drifting faintly from somewhere. The scent of grass and morning air.
Daniel walks on my left.
Logan is on my right.
Like guards.
"I can walk alone," I mutter.
Daniel ignores me.
Logan smirks slightly.
We reach the fork where our paths split.
Daniel stops. "Text."
"I will."
He hesitates like he wants to say more, then finally turns away.
Logan lingers.
"You actually nervous?" he asks quietly once Daniel is a few steps ahead.
"Maybe."
"You'll be fine."
"You said that already."
"Still true."
There's a beat of silence.
Then...
"You look nice."
It's casual I try to tell myself
But the words land hard.
"Thanks," I manage.
His gaze lingers for a fraction of a second before he steps backward.
"See you later, Bunny."
And then he's gone.
I stand there for a moment, trying to convince my heart to slow down.
It's just college.
Just classes.
Just Logan.
My first lecture hall is huge.
I choose a seat near the middle not too noticeable, not invisible either.
Students file in around me.
A girl with curly hair and oversized glasses slides into the seat beside me.
"First year?" she asks.
"Is it that obvious?"
She grins. "You have the 'I might run away' look."
I laugh softly. "Maybe."
"I'm Maya."
"Bubulyn."
"That's pretty."
"Thanks."
The professor starts talking before we can say more.
I try to focus.
Really, I do.
But my mind keeps drifting.
To the kitchen.
To his hand near my hair.
"You are Daniel's sister" the word rang in my ears
Why did it sound like a warning?
Like a confession?
When class ends, Maya nudges me. "You look like you were thinking about something way more interesting than this lecture."
Heat creeps up my neck. "Maybe."
She raises an eyebrow but doesn't push.
We walk out together, talking about schedules and majors and cafeteria food.
It feels normal.
Like maybe I can build something here that isn't defined by Daniel or Logan.
Maybe I can just be Bubulyn.
Not Bubu.
Not Bunny.
Just me.
But when I round the corner near the student center, I see them.
Daniel and Logan.
Talking to a group of people.
And Logan...
Logan is laughing at something a girl said.
She's pretty.
Long dark hair, confident posture. Hand resting lightly on his arm as she talks.
Something sharp twists inside me.
I slow my steps without meaning to.
Maya follows my gaze. "Friends of yours?"
"My brother," I say lightly. "And his best friend."
"Oh," she says knowingly.
I don't like the tone.
"It's not like that," I add too quickly.
She hums but doesn't argue.
Logan glances up mid-laugh.
And he sees me.
The smile falters just slightly.
His eyes flick to Maya.
Then back to me.
The girl beside him is still talking.
But he isn't listening anymore.
I don't know why that makes my heart beat faster.
Daniel notices me next.
"Bubu!" he calls, waving me over.
Of course he does.
I walk toward them, trying not to look like I just imagined strangling a stranger.
"This is..." Daniel starts introducing people I'll forget immediately.
The girl with her hand on Logan's arm smiles at me.
"Hi."
"Hi," I reply politely.
Logan steps subtly away from her.
It's small, barely noticeable.
But I see it.
And suddenly, I don't know what to do with that information.
Because if last night was tension…
This feels like something else entirely.
And for the first time, I realize something dangerous.
It's not just about remembering my first kiss anymore.
It's about wondering who he might be kissing now.
And why that thought bothers me more than it should.