Unbooked Heart

New Faces, New Friendships

Eli's POV

The first few weeks at university felt like a whirlwind. Between trying to adjust to the new environment, dealing with the overwhelming load of lessons, and the constant buzz of activity around me, everything was a blur. But despite the chaos, I couldn't help but feel that I was starting to find my rhythm in Manila, especially now that Basti had become a new friend.

It had only been a few days since our first encounter, but Basti had already become somewhat of a guide to me. Whether it was helping me navigate the sprawling campus, recommending places to eat, or explaining complicated lessons in our course, Basti was always around, offering a friendly smile and words of encouragement.

One afternoon, after a particularly draining lecture on hotel operations, Basti nudged me as we packed our things. "Hey, Eli! Let's grab some lunch. I want you to meet some of my friends."

I raised an eyebrow, curious. "Friends? You have other friends apart from me?" I teased, grinning.

Basti rolled his eyes but smiled. "Of course! I'm not that clingy, ha! They're really nice. I think you'll get along with them."

I chuckled. "Alright, lead the way."

We walked out of the lecture hall and toward the university's food court, which was as crowded as usual, with students grabbing quick bites between classes. Basti led me to a corner table where three girls were already sitting, laughing and chatting animatedly.

The first one I noticed was a tall, slim girl with dark brown hair, her eyes sparkling with mischief. She was wearing a casual red top and ripped jeans. Her laugh was loud and infectious, and I couldn't help but smile instantly.

The second girl had a soft, round face and short hair that framed her face in a cute bob. She wore a black hoodie and leggings, her demeanor calm and approachable.

The third girl was smaller in stature, with a lively energy that matched the other two. She wore a light blue blouse, her hair tied into a high ponytail, her cheeks flushed from laughing at something one of the others said.

Basti gestured toward them. "Eli, meet Trina, Sophie, and Jill. Girls, this is Eli, the guy I was telling you about."

They immediately turned their attention to me, and I felt my nerves kick in. I wasn't sure what to expect. I wasn't used to meeting new people so quickly, especially not with my tendency to be a bit reserved. But the way they smiled at me made me feel at ease.

"Hi, Eli! I'm Trina from tourism," said the girl with the infectious laugh. She raised her hand for a high-five, which I immediately returned. Her energy was contagious.

"I'm Sophie, also an HM student, but in my 2nd year," said the second girl, offering a kind smile as she stood up to shake my hand. "Nice to meet you. Basti talks about you a lot."

"I do not," Basti protested, but his grin betrayed him.

Jill, the smallest of the three, bounced in her seat and waved at me. "I'm Jill! I'm in accountancy. Don't mind us, we're just a bunch of weirdos," she said, her eyes glinting with mischief.

I laughed, feeling instantly more comfortable. "Nice to meet you all. I'm Eli."

Basti gave me a playful nudge. "Told you they're nice. You'll fit right in."

We quickly got into a lively conversation about our first few weeks in school. Trina was asking me about my experience with the first semester, Sophie was talking about their recent cramped activities , and Jill kept joking about how difficult would college life be.

"How do you guys handle all of this? If college is... intense?" I suddenly asked.

Basti shrugging casually as she pokes at her salad "It's definitely a lot at first. You'll figure it out, though. It's like... chaos, but in a productive way."

"Yeah, you'll be fine. Just remember—never start assignments the night before. Procrastination is both a blessing and a curse." Trina said while taking a sip of his coffee, staring off into guys passing by.

Sophie grinning, tapping her pen on the table "Oh, and don't believe anyone who says they're 'always on top of things.' They're lying. Everyone's just pretending."

I leaned back in my chair, trying to take it all in "So... just fake it 'til I make it?"

Sophie laughing and nodding "Exactly. And find your study spots. Trust me, the library will become your second home."

Jill grinning "And when in doubt? Coffee. Lots of it."

Basti mock serious "Or just take naps in class. No one will judge you—too much."

We all burst into laughter, and despite still being a little shy, I found myself laughing along with them. They were easy to talk to, and within minutes, I felt like I had known them for much longer than just a few minutes.

As the conversation progressed, it became clear that we all had different personalities, but we meshed together perfectly. Trina was the outgoing, extroverted one, always the life of the party. Sophie was more laid-back and thoughtful, her calm presence balancing out the more energetic personalities around her. And then there was Jill, who was always up to some kind of mischief, constantly pulling pranks or making sarcastic jokes that kept everyone on their toes.

For me, it was a welcome change. In San Isidro, my circle of friends had always been small, and though I had a few close companions, I had never really experienced this kind of dynamic. I wasn't the most outgoing person, but I appreciated the warmth and openness the group offered me.

As we finished our lunch, Basti leaned in and whispered to me. "So, what do you think? They're cool, right?"

I nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah, I love them. They're hilarious."

Basti's grin widened. "Told you so."

---

Over the next few months, I spent more and more time with Basti and his friends. We became a tight-knit group, spending most of our free time together. Whether it was grabbing coffee after class, studying in the library, or just hanging out in the food court, I found myself growing closer to each of them.

One Friday evening, as we were all gathered at a nearby café after a long week of schoolwork, Trina, Sophie, and Jill insisted that we go out and unwind. Basti had always been the one to suggest casual hangouts, but tonight, the girls were determined to get everyone to loosen up.

"Basti," Trina said with a grin, "I think it's time for a little fun."

Basti raised an eyebrow, his mischievous side coming to life. "What do you mean by fun?"

"You know," Trina winked, "a night out. Dancing. Drinks. Let loose for once."

Jill jumped in. "Yeah! Let's go clubbing. We all need a break from studying."

I hesitated for a moment. "I don't know, guys. I'm not really the party type..."

Sophie smiled gently, her tone understanding. "It's okay, Eli. You don't have to go all-out, just come with us. You can hang out, watch us have fun, and then leave early if you want. It'll be fun, promise."

After some convincing and a little more peer pressure, I finally agreed, though I still wasn't sure what I was getting myself into. I wasn't the biggest fan of loud clubs or crowded dance floors, but I figured it would be a good way to bond with my new friends.

That night, we all dressed up, and Basti drove us to a popular club in the city. The music was loud, the lights flashing in different colors, and the atmosphere was nothing like anything I had ever experienced before. I felt like I was in another world entirely.

At first, I hung back a little, standing near the bar and watching as the others danced and laughed. But as the night wore on, I found myself getting caught up in the fun. Trina, Sophie, and Jill had no problem hitting the dance floor, and before I knew it, I was laughing along with them, swaying to the beat.

"Okay, okay, Eli," Trina yelled over the music, "you're officially part of the squad now!"

I couldn't help but laugh. "I'm not sure I'm cut out for this, Trina..."

"But Eli, you're literally dancing!" Sophie yelled in disbelief, "We broke you!"

I just raised my hands, laughing. "Okay, okay, maybe I'm cut out for this just a little."

But even with my reservations, I was having fun. I found myself losing my initial nervousness and, for once, letting go. Maybe I wasn't the life of the party, but being around Basti and his friends made everything feel lighter, less intimidating.

By the end of the night, we were all sitting in a corner of the club, sipping on mocktails and sharing stories about our childhood. I realized I was getting along with everyone more than I had expected. There was something about our group dynamic that made me feel like I had found a place where I truly belonged.

As Basti dropped me off at my apartment later that night, he turned to me with a grin. "See? Not so bad, right?"

I grinned back. "Okay, okay, you were right. That was fun."

Basti's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Told you so. Welcome to the crew, Eli."

I leaned back in my seat, feeling the weight of the night's events settle in. This was the start of something new. I had my course and my future to think about, but now I also had friends—people who made me feel like I wasn't just another face in the crowd. With Basti, Trina, Sophie, and Jill, I had found something unexpected: a new sense of belonging.