The house was big.
Too big for one person.
Every room was clean, organized, and expensive in a way that looked perfect—but didn't feel alive.
Jarnell stood in the kitchen early in the morning, holding a glass of water, staring out through the large glass window.
Outside, the world was already awake.
Inside, everything was still.
No voices.
No footsteps of family moving around.
No "good morning" from anyone who actually meant it with time to stay.
Just silence.
Not peaceful silence.
Empty silence.
He took a slow sip of water, then placed the glass down carefully.
His phone lit up on the counter.
A message from his father:
"Hope school is going well. We transferred some money to your account. Take care."
Jarnell stared at it for a second.
Then locked the phone.
No reply.
Not because he was angry.
But because there was nothing to say that wouldn't sound like effort from both sides.
He walked upstairs, changed into simple clothes, picked up his bag, and paused at the door.
A car key sat on the small table.
His own car.
A gift from his parents.
He looked at it.
Then turned away.
And chose the road instead.
Like always.
The streets of Kampala were already alive.
Boda bodas rushing past.
People calling out.
The city moving without waiting for anyone.
Jarnell walked through it calmly.
Hands in pockets.
Head slightly lowered.
Not lost.
Just separate.
Like he existed inside the world—but not fully attached to it.
He didn't listen to music.
He didn't rush.
He didn't need to.
His thoughts were already loud enough.
And somewhere in that silence…
a face kept appearing without permission.
Calm eyes.
A slight smile.
Someone who had looked at him like he was noticed.
He frowned slightly at the thought.
Then continued walking.
Jayden leaned against his car near campus parking, talking with Alvin and Brian.
Brian was joking loudly.
Alvin was laughing at something on his phone.
Jayden wasn't fully focused.
His eyes kept scanning the entrance path.
Like he was waiting for someone to come or something to happen
"You're doing it again," Alvin said.
"Doing what?" Jayden replied casually.
"Looking for someone."
Jayden didn't answer immediately.
Then he said, "I'm not."
Brian smirked. "You're lying badly."
Jayden sighed lightly.
"…I just want to confirm something."
Alvin laughed. "Confirm what?"
Jayden didn't respond.
Because he didn't have a clear answer.
Only curiosity.
And curiosity was starting to become dangerous
Jarnell arrived early.
He always did.
He chose a seat slightly away from the crowd, middle row, quiet corner.
Jonas and Calvin were not with him this time.
Not because he avoided them.
But because he simply… often moved alone without noticing it.
He sat down, placed his bag beside him, and looked forward.
Waiting for class to begin.
Then—
the atmosphere changed.
Again.
That same feeling.
Like something had entered the room before the person did.
Footsteps, controlled and unhurried
Jarnell didn't look immediately.
He already knew.
And when he finally did—
Jayden walked in.
Not loud, not dramatic, just present
But somehow that was worse.
Because presence like that stayed in the mind longer than noise ever could.
Jayden's eyes moved across the room—
and landed directly on him.
Again.
Jarnell looked away instantly.
Not fast enough to seem afraid.
Just controlled.
But inside, something shifted slightly.
Annoyance? or awareness!!!?
He wasn't sure.
"Jarnell… Jayden."
The lecturer's voice cut through the room.
Jarnell paused.
Slowly turned his head.
Jayden was already standing.
Already moving.
No hesitation.
No surprise.
Just acceptance.
Like this wasn't coincidence.
Like it was expected.
Brian immediately leaned toward Alvin.
"This is not normal," he whispered, smiling.
Alvin chuckled. "Or maybe it is."
Jayden walked over.
Step by step.
Until he stopped beside Jarnell's desk.
Close enough that Jarnell could feel him properly now.
Not loud.
But there.
"You're Jarnell right!?," Jayden said.
A statement.
Not a question.
Jarnell nodded. "And you're Jayden."
A pause.
Jayden pulled the chair and sat down beside him.
Too naturally.
Like he had always belonged there.
Jarnell noticed that.
And didn't know why it bothered him.
The lecturer started speaking.
But neither of them focused fully.
Jayden leaned slightly closer.
Not invading.
Just… present.
"You live around here?" Jayden asked quietly.
Jarnell hesitated for a fraction of a second.
Then nodded. _ hmm
"Alone," he added without being asked.
Jayden glanced at him.
"Alone?"
"Yes."
Another pause.
Then Jayden said softly, "That explains it."
"Explains what?"
But Jayden only smiled faintly.
"Nothing."
And didn't elaborate.
That silence stayed longer than expected.
Not uncomfortable but heavy.
Like something unspoken was sitting between them
When class ended, students began moving again.
Noise returned.
Life resumed.
Jarnell gathered his things slowly.
Trying not to think about how aware he had become of one person sitting beside him.
Jayden stood up.
But didn't leave immediately.
He looked at Jarnell one more time.
Then said quietly: Jarnell?. -
"You walk home?"
Jarnell paused.
"hmm."
Jayden nodded slightly.
Then, as if deciding something internally, he said:
Okay "I'll see you again."
And walked away.
Jarnell stood there for a moment longer than usual.
Because something about that sentence—
felt less like a statement…
and more like a promise.