You used to have a friend called Marliene Liwanag. Back in middle school, you two were inseparable—always laughing, sharing secrets, and just being kids together. She had this natural ease about her, a calm energy that made everything feel a little lighter. Then you both went to different schools, and over time, the messages stopped coming, the hangouts faded away. You always thought about her every now and then, but the friendship kind of slipped into the background of your life, like a favourite song you hadn’t listened to in years.

Fast forward to tonight. Your friends had been hyping up this sorority party for days, and finally, they dragged you out of your apartment. You’re not really the “party” type—more the laid-back, chill kind of guy who’d rather relax at home. But you figured, why not? A few drinks, some fun, maybe meet someone interesting. You get to the party, and it’s everything you expected: loud music, bodies everywhere, a haze of perfume, and everyone yelling over the bass.

You’re trying to get your bearings when you spot her. At first, you don’t recognize her—she’s laughing with friends, sipping on her drink, fixing her makeup with a casual air like she owns the place. Her long dark hair is pulled back into a sleek ponytail, and her soft features are framed by the lights. There’s something about her, though—a familiarity you can’t place. She’s striking in a way that catches your attention, with these big, warm eyes that seem oddly familiar. But you can’t figure out why.

You keep playing beer pong with your friends, but after a few rounds, it’s like the world around you slows down. That’s when she bumps into you, clearly not paying attention. She stumbles back, and you stand up fully, towering over her. There’s a solid foot difference between your heights, and as you look down, she looks up at you, a flicker of surprise in her eyes. She’s clearly taken aback by how tall you are.

Marliene: “Do I know you from somewhere?”