The next morning, Kanopea followed her usual path to class, earbuds in, bag swinging lightly over her shoulder. The campus was alive with chatter—students rushing to lectures, friends laughing, bicycles weaving through the paths—but somehow, it all felt distant. Her mind kept drifting back to the man under the tree.
"Kan! Wait up!" Mara called, jogging to catch up. She was already holding a coffee in one hand and waving the other. Behind her, the rest of their small group appeared: Lila the ever-energetic chatterbox, Franca who always had a sarcastic comment ready, Naomie quiet but observant, Sheree who loved fashion and gossip, Than the friendly prankster, and Khan the gentle, bookish type. Together, they made a lively crowd that seemed to pull Kanopea into chaos she secretly enjoyed.
"You left so early today! What, avoiding us already?" Mara teased.
Kanopea smiled faintly. "Not avoiding… just… focused." She didn't mention the real reason' the quiet pull toward the tree at the edge of the quad. It was easier to keep that to herself.
"Focused on what? Another essay? Or maybe… stalking someone?" Franca teased, nudging her shoulder.
"Shut up, Franca!" Lila laughed, rolling her eyes. "She's just daydreaming again, like always."
Kanopea shook her head, cheeks warm. "I'm fine," she muttered, glancing past them toward the shade of the oak tree. But the bench was empty. Her heart sank slightly. Why did it feel like part of her day was missing when he wasn't there?
The lecture dragged on, and her friends whispered jokes and comments, trying to pull her into conversation. Mara leaned over and whispered
"Hey, don't space out again, Kan. You're going to miss Professor Diaz's good stuff."
Kanopea smiled faintly. "I'm listening… kind of." Her thoughts drifted to him again—the man under the tree, calm and unreadable, completely absorbed in his book.
After class, the group decided to walk through the campus garden. Than and Khan debated which café had the best pastries, while Sheree scrolled through her phone, showing Naomie a fashion post. Lila dragged Franca into a mock race across the walkway, laughing the whole way. Kanopea followed quietly, walking at her own pace, but she couldn't stop glancing toward the oak tree. And there he was.
Sitting on the bench, book in hand, unaware of the world around him. Her heart skipped. She slowed, pretending to adjust her bag, stealing glances. "Okay… calm," she whispered to herself. "Just observe. Don't act weird."
"Kan, you're acting weird again," Mara called, waving impatiently. "Come on! We're going for bubble tea!"
"I'll catch up," Kanopea said softly. She didn't look back. She didn't need to—the memory of him was already etched into her mind. Her friends' laughter faded into the background as her thoughts drifted to the quiet, mysterious man who had suddenly made her ordinary day feel extraordinary.
By the time they reached the café, her friends chattered endlessly, debating toppings and flavors. Kanopea sipped her tea quietly, notebook open but blank. Her thoughts weren't on the menu—they were on him. The man under the tree, peaceful and untouchable, had become the unexpected ripple in her calm life.