Chapter 3 - New school
1379 Words
It was the beginning of a new semester at Riverbend University.
Lily had just started as a freshman, majoring in Agriculture. Someday, she planned to take over her family's farming business, just like she'd promised her parents.
Her new school was only a ten-minute walk from her apartment. She dressed casually, trying to blend in like the college students she'd seen in magazine spreads. An oversized flannel hung loosely over her fitted white tee, tucked neatly into her high-waisted denim jeans. Comfortable white sneakers completed the look.
As she walked toward campus, Lily took in the fresh scent of spring. The neighborhood, though busier than her quiet hometown, still held bits of charm-flowering trees, chirping birds, and warm sunlight pouring through the gaps between rooftops.
Some streets were lined with white cherry blossom trees, their petals floating through the air like tiny paper wishes on the wind. Lily paused as a few blossoms drifted into her hair. She closed her eyes, letting the breeze wash over her. When she opened them, she brushed the petals from her shoulders and smiled to herself.
She had always loved spring-no matter where she was.
Lily's steps slowed as Riverbend University finally came into view. The ten-minute walk had somehow felt longer-maybe it was nerves, or maybe it was the way the morning sun painted everything gold.
The campus looked like something straight out of a college brochure.
Red-brick buildings stood proudly on either side of the cobblestone paths. Arched windows gleamed in the sunlight, and ivy trailed up the walls like nature's lace. Some buildings had classic white columns and intricate stonework, while others were more modern, with sleek glass fronts that reflected the sky.
Students lounged on benches under shady trees, while others clustered near bulletin boards pinned with colorful flyers. The scent of freshly brewed coffee drifted from a nearby campus café, blending with the crisp, floral air.
Lily stood still, just for a moment, to take it all in.
A world full of possibilities.
New faces.
Maybe even... love.
Her thoughts were cut short by a light tap on her shoulder.
She turned-and was met with the familiar sight of a black polo, pressed slacks, and polished black shoes.
"Sup?" a voice said.
Lily's gaze trailed upward, and her eyes landed on a familiar face. "Oh. Hey, Leo."
But something was different.
Leo's usually tousled hair was styled neatly, his face clean-shaven. He looked... sharp. Professional, even.
She tilted her head slightly, eyeing him from head to toe.
Leo noticed and grinned, clearly amused. "You're gonna burn holes through me if you keep staring like that," he teased. "You're making me blush, Lil."
Lily blinked, caught off guard. "Oops-sorry. It's just that... you look..."
She paused.
"...different."
Leo glanced down at himself and shrugged casually. "This? It's nothing. Just figured I'd make a good first impression with the professors."
Lily shot him a sarcastic smile. "Brown-noser."
Leo raised a brow, playfully offended, but let it slide. Instead, he leaned in suddenly.
"Hold still," he said, his voice softer.
Lily froze as he reached up to gently pluck a cherry blossom petal from her hair. He was so close she could smell the faint scent of soap and something fresh-like pine or citrus. It didn't matter what it was, really. She already knew this scent by heart.
"There," he said, stepping back. "All done."
Then he glanced at his watch. "I gotta run. My class is about to start."
As he walked away, Lily noticed the way other girls glanced his way-whispering, smiling, throwing subtle looks over their shoulders.
She watched him for a second longer.
I bet he's going to be super popular, she thought.
Lily checked her phone. She still had thirty minutes before her first class, so she decided to take a quick stroll around campus.
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Lily wandered down the main walkway, her sneakers brushing against the cobblestones. The spring air was cool and clean, carrying the soft scent of blossoms and damp earth. Cherry petals floated down around her, like something out of a fairytale.
The mix of old and new architecture gave the campus a quiet, timeless charm.
As she turned a corner, a low, modern building caught her eye-the gym. Its tall glass windows reflected the sky, and from inside came the rhythmic bounce of a basketball.
Thump... thump... swoosh.
Curious, Lily stepped closer and peeked through the open door.
A guy was practicing alone. He was tall and lean, wearing a loose white basketball jersey. Blonde curls clung to his damp forehead, his fair skin glowing under the lights. His features were clean and sharp-handsome in a quiet, effortless way.
He moved with focus and control, each shot smooth and confident. The ball sailed through the hoop with a satisfying swoosh.
Lily watched from the doorway, almost without meaning to. Something about him held her there.
Then, suddenly, the ball stopped.
He turned-and his green eyes met hers.
He was panting lightly, wiping sweat from his brow, but his gaze didn't waver.
Lily froze.
"Oh-sorry!" she blurted out, wide-eyed. "I didn't mean to disturb you. I mean-keep going! Bye!"
Before he could reply, she spun around and walked off quickly, her sneakers squeaking against the floor.
Why did I panic like that?
She wasn't sure. Maybe it was the way he looked at her. Or maybe it was something else-something harder to explain.
His eyes...
There was something about them.
Familiar, in a strange and distant kind of way.
Like a memory she couldn't quite reach, no matter how hard she tried.
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By the time Lily reached her first class, she was still slightly flustered. The large auditorium-style room was already filling up, students choosing their seats in clusters and pairs.
Lily made her way up the steps, looking for a quiet spot. She found one beside a girl who was impossible to miss.
She had pink hair with yellow streaks, styled into soft curls. Her lip gloss shimmered under the lights, and she wore a pink off-the-shoulder crop top, a frilly skirt, and matching boots. Even her nails were pink-decorated with cute little stickers. Her backpack, pencil case, and even her eraser were all in varying shades of bubblegum and blush.
"Hiya, cutie!" the girl beamed, holding out a hand. "I'm Sage!"
Lily smiled and shook it. "Nice to meet you. I'm Lily."
Before she could say anything else, Sage leaned in with a mischievous sparkle in her eyes.
"Hey, did you hear?" she whispered.
"Hear what?" Lily asked, placing her bag on the floor.
"Our Literature professor," Sage grinned. "Apparently, he's hot."
Lily raised an eyebrow, amused. She didn't care much about appearances, but it was hard to ignore how the other girls around them were whispering and glancing toward the door.
"Oh! He's coming!" Sage squeaked, practically bouncing in her seat.
Lily, more interested in the class itself, turned around to dig her notebook out of her bag-just as a smooth, familiar voice filled the room.
"Good morning, class."
Lily froze.
That voice...
She slowly turned her head toward the front-and nearly fell out of her seat.
Standing at the podium, dressed in a black button-down and slacks, was Leo.
Her roommate.
"I'm your Literature professor, Leo Miller," he said with a calm smile.
Lily's mouth dropped open.
He never told her. Not once. She had just assumed he was another student-he looked young enough to be one. Casual enough to be one.
Leo scanned the room until his gaze landed on her.
And then-he smirked.
Subtly, he tapped his chin with his finger, silently telling her: Close your mouth, Lil.
Lily snapped out of her daze, quickly shutting her mouth and glancing around. Did anyone else see that?
"Did you see that, Lily?" Sage whispered dreamily. "He just smiled at me."
Lily blinked. "Uh... right."
She didn't have the heart to tell her the smile wasn't for her.
Letting out a quiet sigh, Lily slumped slightly in her seat.
Leo-her roommate-was her professor.
And apparently, he'd been keeping that little detail to himself.
She stared blankly at her notebook, the words on the board blurring before her eyes.
Her new life was already turning out to be far more exciting-and possibly way more troublesome-than she ever imagined.
- Writer
