THE BOY WITH THE WARM SMILE
2038 Words
The faint chirping of birds outside the hostel window blended with the soft hum of students beginning another day on campus.
Sunlight filtered through the cream-colored curtains, casting golden streaks across Zara's room.
She was already awake.
Not because of her alarm.
Because of a message.
For what felt like the tenth time that morning, she unlocked her phone and reread the text.
Ethan: Hi, Zara. This is Ethan. I hope you made it safely to your room. See you tomorrow.
It was such a simple message.
No heart emojis.
No flirting.
Nothing extraordinary.
Yet every time she read it, she smiled.
"You are reading it again"
Zara quickly lowered her phone.
Amara was sitting cross-legged on her bed, brushing her hair while watching her with the kind of smile that suggested she'd already figured everything out.
"I am not."
"You've been smiling at that phone since you woke up."
"I was checking the time."
"The time doesn't make people blush."
Zara instinctively touched her cheeks.
"I'm not blushing."
Amara burst into laughter.
"You just proved my point."
Zara couldn't help laughing too
"I've only known him for one day."
"Exactly."
"And?"
"And you're already smiling because of his text."
"It's just a friendly message."
Amara stood and walked over, resting a hand on Zara's shoulder.
"Maybe."
She leaned closer.
"Or maybe someone has caught your attention."
Zara gently pushed her away
.
"Can we please get ready before we're late?"
Amara raised both hands dramatically.
"Fine. But this conversation isn't over."
By half past seven, the hostel was buzzing with activity.
Girls hurried through the corridors carrying buckets, toiletries, and lecture notes.
Some were still trying to braid their hair while others searched frantically for missing ID cards.
Outside, the morning air was cool.
The grass still glistened with tiny drops of dew.
As Zara and Amara walked towards the Faculty of Science, Zara couldn't help admiring how different the campus looked compared to yesterday.
Yesterday, everything had felt unfamiliar.
Today...
It felt a little more like home.
Students greeted one another as they passed.
Laughter echoed beneath the tall mango trees that lined the pathway.
A group of seniors sat beneath one of them, discussing football while another group rehearsed dance steps for what looked like an upcoming departmental event.
"This place never sleeps," Zara observed.
Amara laughed.
"You'll soon get used to it."
"I think I already like it."
"You haven't seen exam season."
They both laughed.
As they approached the lecture theatre, Zara's eyes wandered across the crowd almost unconsciously.
She wasn't looking for anyone.
At least...
That's what she kept telling herself.
"You know," Amara said casually, "if you're looking for Ethan, just say so."
Zara stopped walking.
"I am not looking for him."
"Mmm-hmm."
"I'm serious."
"Of course you are."
Before Zara could defend herself again, a familiar voice interrupted them.
"I was beginning to think you'd changed your department."
Both girls turned.
Ethan stood a few metres away with his backpack slung over one shoulder. The morning sun caught the side of his face, and he wore the same easy smile that had lingered in Zara's thoughts since yesterday.
"Good morning," he said.
"Morning," Zara replied, trying to sound calmer than she felt.
"I kept wondering if you'd skip today's lecture after what happened yesterday."
She frowned.
"What happened yesterday?"
"You almost got into trouble because of me."
She laughed softly.
"I survived."
"Barely."
He placed a hand over his heart dramatically.
"I've felt guilty ever since."
"Oh, please."
"I'm serious."
"No, you're dramatic."
He grinned.
"I've been told that before."
Amara folded her arms and looked from one to the other.
"So..."
Both of them looked at her.
"I'm Amara."
"Ethan."
They shook hands.
"So you're Ethan."
He looked confused.
"Should I be worried?"
Amara smiled innocently.
"Not yet."
Zara sighed.
"Please ignore her."
"I don't think I can."
The three of them walked into the lecture hall together.
Unlike the previous day, Ethan had arrived early.
He pointed proudly at two empty seats beside him.
"I told you I'd save one."
"You actually did."
"I always keep my promises."
Zara smiled as she took the seat.
"I'll remember that."
Something flickered across Ethan's face.
Just for a moment.
It was gone before she could understand it.
"I hope you do," he said quietly.
The lecture hall gradually filled with students.
Some greeted Ethan with cheerful waves.
Others stopped briefly to chat before finding their seats.
Watching him interact with people, Zara noticed something.
He seemed to know almost everyone.
He laughed easily.
Listened carefully.
Made people feel comfortable.
It explained why she had felt so relaxed around him yesterday.
He had a way of making strangers feel like old friends.
As the lecturer was yet to arrive, students continued chatting.
Ethan turned towards Zara.
"So..."
"So?"
"You never answered my question yesterday."
She frowned.
"What question?"
"What made you choose Microbiology?"
Zara looked down at her notebook before answering.
"When I was younger, my grandmother became seriously ill."
His expression softened.
"I'm sorry."
"She recovered."
He smiled.
"That's good."
"But while she was in the hospital, I became fascinated by how tiny organisms could affect people's lives."
She paused.
"I started reading about bacteria, viruses... everything."
"And that's when you knew?"
She nodded.
"I wanted to understand diseases."
He looked genuinely impressed.
"I don't think I've ever heard someone explain their dream like that."
She smiled shyly
"What about you?"
Ethan chuckled.
"My story isn't nearly as inspiring."
"I still want to hear it."
He leaned back slightly.
"Maybe after class."
"Why not now?"
"Because..."
He looked towards the entrance of the lecture hall.
"Our lecturer is here."
The room immediately fell silent.
As everyone stood to greet the lecturer, Zara couldn't help wondering what Ethan had been about to say.
And why, for some reason...
He had chosen not to finish.
The class settled into silence as the lecturer placed a thick file on the desk and adjusted the microphone.
"Good morning everyone"
"Good morning sir" the students chorused.
"My name is Dr. Okafor, and I'll be taking you for Introduction to Microbiology."
He paused, allowing his eyes to sweep across the room.
"Some of you are here because you love science. Some are here because your parents chose this course for you. Whichever category you belong to, understand this—you are here now. What you do from this moment will determine whether you graduate or merely become another admission statistic."
A nervous murmur spread through the lecture hall.
Zara immediately reached for her pen and began taking notes.
Beside her, Ethan stared at his blank notebook.
She nudged him gently.
"Aren't you writing?"
"I will."
"When?"
"When inspiration finds me."
She shook her head, trying not to smile.
"You'll regret this during exams."
He leaned closer and whispered, "That's why I'll have a hardworking friend."
She raised an eyebrow.
"Friend?"
"Isn't that what we are?"
The question caught her off guard.
She hesitated for only a second before answering.
"I suppose we are."
A satisfied grin spread across Ethan's face.
"Good."
The lecturer suddenly turned in their direction.
"You two seem to have discovered something more interesting than microbiology."
The entire class looked at them.
Zara's eyes widened.
"No, sir."
"Then kindly pay attention."
"Yes, sir."
As the lecturer continued, Ethan slowly slid a folded piece of paper across the desk.
Zara frowned before unfolding it beneath the table.
It read:
Sorry... again. I think I have a talent for getting you into trouble.
She fought back a laugh and wrote beneath it.
Maybe you should sit somewhere else tomorrow.
He read her reply, placed a hand dramatically over his heart, and pretended to be wounded.
She couldn't help smiling.
When the lecture finally ended, students stretched and hurried toward the exits.
"I thought that class would never end," Ethan said, slinging his backpack over his shoulder.
"It wasn't that long."
"It felt like a whole semester."
"You exaggerate."
"I prefer the word 'expressive.'"
Amara laughed.
"I like him."
"You do?"Zara asked
"He talks too much, but he's funny."
"I'll accept that as a compliment," Ethan replied.
As they walked outside, a gentle breeze rustled the leaves overhead.
The campus buzzed with activity. Some students rushed toward their next lecture while others gathered beneath trees to discuss assignments.
"So," Ethan said, "have either of you eaten?"
The girls exchanged a glance.
"Not yet," Amara answered.
"Perfect."
"Perfect?"
"My treat."
Zara frowned.
"You don't have to buy us lunch."
"I know."
"Then why?"
He shrugged casually.
"Because I'd like to."
Amara leaned toward Zara and whispered loudly enough for Ethan to hear.
"If you say no, I'll never forgive you."
Zara laughed.
"Fine."
"That's the spirit."
The campus café was crowded, filled with the aroma of fried rice, pastries, coffee, and grilled chicken.
Finding an empty table wasn't easy, but after a few minutes they settled into a quiet corner near the window.
Ethan returned carrying a tray.
"I wasn't sure what you liked, so I bought different things."
He placed meat pies, soft drinks, and bottled water on the table.
"You really didn't have to do all this," Zara said.
"I know."
"But I wanted to."
His answer was so simple that she didn't know how to respond.
As they ate, the conversation flowed effortlessly.
They talked about secondary school, funny childhood memories, embarrassing moments, and their dreams beyond university.
For the first time since arriving on campus, Zara forgot how nervous she'd been.
She laughed freely.
She listened.
She felt... comfortable.
"You have a nice laugh," Ethan said suddenly.
She blinked.
"What?"
"You smile with your eyes."
Amara coughed dramatically.
"I suddenly feel like a third wheel."
Both Zara and Ethan burst into laughter.
Just then, a cheerful voice called from behind.
"Ethan!"
He turned instinctively.
A beautiful young woman, dressed in a neatly pressed departmental jacket, walked confidently toward them.
She looked older—perhaps a final-year student.
Without hesitation, she wrapped Ethan in a warm hug.
"There you are!" she exclaimed. "I've been calling you."
Ethan smiled.
"Sorry. My phone was on silent."
"I've been looking everywhere."
Zara watched quietly.
Something inside her shifted.
She had no reason to feel uncomfortable.
After all...
She had only known Ethan for two days.
So why did seeing another girl hug him make her chest tighten?
The young woman finally noticed Zara and Amara.
"Oh!"
She smiled politely.
"I didn't know you had company."
Ethan nodded.
"I'd like you to meet my new friends."
He turned toward Zara first.
"This is Zara."
For a brief moment, their eyes met.
Then he looked at Amara.
"And this is Amara."
The young woman smiled warmly.
"I'm Vanessa."
She extended her hand.
"It's nice to meet both of you."
"You too," Zara replied politely.
Vanessa turned back to Ethan.
"The departmental executives are waiting for you. We have a meeting in ten minutes."
Ethan sighed.
"I completely forgot."
"I figured."
He looked back at Zara.
"I'm really sorry. I have to go."
"It's okay."
"I'll see you tomorrow?"
Zara smiled softly.
"I'll be in class."
"Good."
He waved before hurrying away with Vanessa.
For several seconds, Zara watched them disappear into the crowd.
Amara quietly sipped her drink.
"You like him."
Zara looked away.
"I barely know him."
"That wasn't my question."
She sighed.
"I don't know."
Amara smiled gently.
"Maybe that's the scary part."
As they stood to leave, Zara glanced one last time toward the pathway where Ethan had disappeared.
She didn't know why...
But for the first time since meeting him, a tiny seed of uncertainty had been planted in her heart.
She had no idea that one day, that tiny seed would grow into the greatest heartbreak of her life.
- Writer
