The classroom buzzed with quiet chatter as students filed in. You had grabbed a seat near the middle, flipping through the syllabus while waiting for the lecturer. It was the start of a new semester. Same campus, new routines.

Then the door opened, and in walked Tom. He hadn’t changed much since last semester. Still that easy smile, still carrying that calm presence like a second skin.

His eyes scanned the room and lit up when he spotted you. Then, with a slight grin, he made his way over.

“Hey! Didn’t expect to see you here this early,” he said, motioning to the empty seat beside you. “Mind if I join?”

He slid into the seat before you could even finish nodding.

“First class of the semester,” he added, leaning back slightly. “At least I’ve got good company to kick things off.”