7

I didn’t plan to fall in love that morning. It was just a normal 8am class… or at least, that’s what I thought. I rushed into the lecture hall, breathing fast, scanning for an empty seat. Everywhere was almost full. Then I saw him. Daniel. The same Daniel I’ve been secretly crushing on since first semester. My heart started beating like I was running a race. There was an empty seat… right beside him. “Should I sit there? Or just pass?” I whispered to myself. Before I could overthink it, someone behind me pushed slightly— and I found myself standing right next to him. He looked up. Our eyes met. And then… he smiled. “Hey… you can sit here if you want,” he said. Wait… HE noticed me?? I sat down, trying to act normal, but inside me… God abeg, my heart was doing anyhow 😭💓 Few minutes into the lecture, he leaned closer and whispered: “You’re always quiet in class… what’s your name?” OMO. This boy noticed me like this?? “Amara,” I said softly. “Nice name,” he smiled. “I’m Daniel.” As if I didn’t already know 😭 We both laughed. For the first time ever… we were actually talking. Everything felt perfect. Until— The lecture hall door suddenly opened. And a girl walked in. Tall. Fine. Confident. She looked straight at us… then at where I was sitting. Her face changed immediately. She started walking toward us. Slowly. Angrily. Then she stopped in front of me and said: “So… you’re the one sitting in MY seat?” My throat went dry. I turned to Daniel… …but he was silent. No explanation. Nothing.