Chapter 3
1025 Words
On any normal day, conversations at Kingsbridge University revolved around grades, parties, deadlines, or the latest campus gossip.
But today.
The topic was Ethan Vale.
Again.
Only this time…
It wasn’t admiration.
It was curiosity.
Under the shade of the student lounge courtyard, laughter rang softly between four girls seated around a table.
At the center of their attention sat Lila Hart.
The girl everyone noticed when she walked into a room.
Beautiful in a way that wasn’t loud but impossible to ignore.
Confident without trying.
Admired without effort.
And most importantly.
Desired by almost every male on campus.
Except one.
Ethan Vale.
“I’m serious,” Lila said, leaning forward, lowering her voice slightly though her smile remained.
“I think I actually like him.”
The table went silent.
Then.
“Like?” her friend Tessa repeated, eyebrows rising.
“You like someone?”
The tone was teasing.
Because Lila didn’t like.
People liked her.
Always.
Yet.
She nodded.
“I do.”
“Since when?”
“Since last semester,” she admitted.
Gasps followed.
“You’ve been keeping this from us?”
“I wasn’t sure,” she said.
But now she was.
Because something about Ethan.
His indifference.
His calm.
His refusal to orbit her like everyone else.
Made him stand out.
And that made him interesting.
“He’s just…” she exhaled.
“Different.”
Her friends exchanged knowing glances.
“Oh, this is serious.”
“And does he know?”
Lila shook her head.
“Not yet.”
But she intended to change that.
Soon.
Across campus
Ethan had no idea.
Because he wasn’t thinking about Lila Hart.
Or anyone else.
His thoughts had been occupied since morning.
Uncomfortably so.
With someone he wasn’t supposed to think about.
The final lecture of the day ended.
Students poured out into the corridors.
Relieved.
Free.
Already discussing evening plans.
But as they stepped outside.
Their attention shifted.
Because just ahead.
Dr. Nadia Cole was walking toward the parking area.
Alone.
Carrying her leather work bag.
It wasn’t unusual.
Lecturers came and went every day.
But today.
Something felt different.
Because someone noticed.
And moved.
Ethan.
Jason spotted it first.
“Wait,” he said slowly.
“Are you…?”
But Ethan was already walking.
Not rushed.
Not dramatic.
Just purposeful.
Like he had made a decision without realizing it.
Nadia reached the steps leading down toward the staff parking area.
Her bag was heavier than she expected.
Filled with files.
Books.
Notes.
The weight pulled slightly against her shoulder.
She adjusted it quietly.
Still composed.
Still unaware.
Of the eyes watching.
Then.
A voice came from behind.
“Doctor.”
She turned.
And there he was.
Again.
Ethan.
Standing just a few feet away.
“I can help with that,” he said simply, gesturing toward her bag.
Her brows drew together slightly.
“I’m fine,” she replied.
Professional.
Distant.
But not harsh.
He nodded once.
But didn’t move.
Silence stretched between them.
And around them.
People noticed.
Because Ethan Vale didn’t stop for anyone.
Didn’t offer help.
Didn’t involve himself unnecessarily.
“Really,” she added.
“It’s alright.”
Yet he stepped forward anyway.
Not forceful.
Not intrusive.
Just.
Certain.
“You shouldn’t have to carry that alone.”
The words were simple.
But something in his tone wasn’t.
From across the courtyard.
Lila saw it.
And froze.
“That’s Ethan,” Tessa whispered.
Lila’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“Yes,” she replied.
Her gaze fixed.
Unblinking.
Because Ethan wasn’t passing by.
He was stopping.
Talking.
Offering help.
To.
Dr. Nadia Cole.
“Is he serious?” one of her friends muttered.
“Since when does Ethan help anyone?”
But the scene continued.
Unbothered by spectators.
“I insist,” Ethan said quietly.
Nadia hesitated.
Because refusing again would draw more attention.
And she was already aware.
Of the watching eyes.
So she released the bag.
“Thank you,” she said.
Professional.
Measured.
Safe.
He took it.
Easily.
As if it weighed nothing.
And together.
They walked toward the parking lot.
Side by side.
And just like that.
The silence behind them broke into whispers.
“Did you see that?”
“He’s carrying her bag.”
“Why would Ethan do that?”
“He doesn’t even carry his own friends’ stuff!”
Jason appeared beside the group of students watching.
A slow grin spread across his face.
“Well,” he muttered.
“This is new.”
Lila’s expression had changed.
Subtly.
But noticeably.
Because this.
This wasn’t supposed to happen.
Ethan wasn’t supposed to show interest.
Not like this.
Not publicly.
Not in someone else.
“Maybe he’s just being polite,” Tessa offered.
But Lila didn’t respond.
Because politeness didn’t look like that.
It didn’t feel like that.
And even from a distance.
She could see it.
The unspoken tension.
The quiet chemistry.
The way neither of them was speaking.
Yet neither seemed uncomfortable.
“They look…” someone whispered.
“Connected.”
Meanwhile.
Nadia felt every pair of eyes on them.
The walk felt longer than it should.
The silence heavier than necessary.
“You didn’t have to do this,” she said finally.
“I know.”
His response was calm.
Unapologetic.
She glanced at him briefly.
“And yet you insisted.”
He looked ahead.
“Yes.”
No explanation followed.
Because none would make sense.
Even to him.
They reached her car.
He placed the bag gently beside it.
And stepped back.
Professional distance restored.
“Thank you,” she said again.
Their eyes met.
Briefly.
But long enough.
“You’re welcome.”
And then.
He turned.
Walking back toward campus.
Leaving behind silence.
And questions.
Behind them.
The whispers had grown.
“Why her?”
“What’s so special?”
“Ethan doesn’t do that.”
“Ever.”
Lila watched him return.
Her jaw tightened slightly.
Because whatever that was
It wasn’t anything.
And though no one knew what it meant.
Everyone felt it.
Something had shifted.
Something had begun.
Publicly.
Visibly.
Unmistakably.
And none of them knew.
That this was only the beginning.
- Writer
