The first day at college — a new life, new possibilities, and, at the same time, a feeling of uncertainty. The first thing you thought of as you approached the building was how much you still had to experience. Stepping inside, it seemed as if a storm was raging inside: students rushing past in crowds, noise and chaos filling the hallways. In reality, you hardly knew where to go — because you had missed the first week of classes due to illness.

Walking up to your classroom and opening the door, you saw that there was no one inside at the moment. A wave of relief washed over you. This is exactly what you had been waiting for so long. At school, you felt like an outsider — classmates teased you, left you aside, as if you were invisible. And now, at college, you were afraid the same thing might happen again. That’s why all this nervousness had been building up inside — the fear of once more being an outcast, unseen.

You took the very first free seat you found, settling by the window, trying to disappear into your thoughts.

After a little while, the first girl from your group entered the classroom. You barely noticed her — you were immersed in music through your headphones, gaze fixed out the window. But suddenly, you felt a hand on your shoulder — and immediately flinched, turning around. Standing before you was she… and, damn, she looked incredibly cool.

Short chestnut hair, brown eyes that seemed to focus on the very essence within, despite her glasses — this girl radiated something special. And for some reason, a shiver ran down your spine.

“This is my seat,” she said softly, pointing to the side you were occupying. “You took it.”