Our Secret Diary

Our secret diary - Waiting for a name

CHAPTER THREE

"Dear Diary,

Today was different.

Not because anything extraordinary happened...

But because waiting can sometimes be louder than words.

It's strange how a single announcement can occupy your mind all day.

Everyone around me seemed excited.

I tried to be.

But deep down... I was only hoping that fate would be kind enough to let our paths cross, even if it was only through something as ordinary as a classroom assignment.

Maybe that's asking for too much.

Or maybe... hope has never listened to reason."

The announcement refused to leave Lena's mind.

Even after the lecture ended and the students poured out of Hall D, chatting excitedly about the semester-long writing project, those final words from Professor Harris echoed over and over inside her head.

"You will be working in pairs."

Around her, everyone was already guessing who their partners might be.

"I hope I get Chloe," a girl said as she walked past.

"No way," her friend replied. "I heard the lecturer likes pairing opposites."

"Opposites?"

"Yes. Quiet people with talkative people. Smart students with lazy students."

"Then I'm finished."

The group burst into laughter before disappearing down the hallway.

Lena smiled to herself.

University students could turn almost anything into a rumor.

"You look worried."

Maya's voice pulled her back to reality.

"I'm not worried."

"You've been thinking about the assignment since we left class."

"Have I?"

"You've answered every question I've asked with 'hmm' for the past five minutes."

Lena laughed softly.

"I didn't even realize."

"I know you didn't."

Maya hooked her arm through Lena's as they stepped out into the bright afternoon sunshine.

The campus looked even livelier than it had that morning.

Music drifted from the student center.

Freshmen lined up to register for clubs.

Several students sat beneath the large oak trees reviewing lecture notes while others filled the walkways with cheerful conversations.

Despite all the activity around her...

Lena's thoughts remained fixed on one question.

Who would become her partner?

She wasn't afraid of working with someone new.

She simply hoped whoever it was would take the project seriously.

After all...

Writing meant too much to her to treat it as just another assignment.

"So..." Maya said, a mischievous smile spreading across her face.

"So?"

"If you could choose anyone in class to be your partner..."

Lena looked at her suspiciously.

"I already know that smile."

"What smile?"

"The one that means you're about to ask something ridiculous."

Maya gasped dramatically.

"I'm offended."

"You'll recover."

"I will."

She leaned closer.

"Answer the question."

Lena hesitated.

"I don't know."

"Liar."

"I really don't."

"You've had all of thirty seconds to think."

"That isn't long."

"It's more than enough."

Chloe, who had been quietly listening beside them, laughed.

"Leave her alone, Maya."

"I can't."

"Why not?"

"Because she's too easy to tease."

Lena shook her head.

"I should've eaten lunch by myself."

"No, you shouldn't have," Maya replied instantly.

"Because then who would I annoy?"

The three friends laughed together as they continued toward the campus café, completely unaware that not far away, another conversation was unfolding beneath the shade of an old maple tree...

...

"You've been unusually quiet."

Noah balanced a basketball on one finger before letting it drop neatly into his hands.

Ethan looked up from the notebook resting on his lap.

"Have I?"

"You have."

Jason, who was leaning against the tree with a bottle of juice in his hand, nodded in agreement.

"You've hardly said ten words since we left the lecture hall."

"I'm just tired."

Noah laughed.

"That's your excuse for everything."

"It happens to be true."

"No," Noah replied with a grin. "You're thinking about the assignment."

Ethan smiled faintly but said nothing.

Jason folded his arms.

"I hope I don't get paired with someone who never replies to messages."

"Or someone who thinks copying from the internet is called research," Noah added.

The three burst into laughter.

Ethan shook his head.

"You two complain before the project has even started."

"We're preparing ourselves mentally," Jason said.

"Exactly," Noah agreed. "You should try it."

"I think I'll pass."

For a brief moment, Ethan's eyes wandered across the busy campus.

Students crossed the courtyard in groups, some laughing loudly while others hurried toward afternoon lectures.

Then...

He noticed Lena again.

She was walking with Maya and Chloe toward the café.

She was smiling.

The sunlight caught the silver moon necklace around her neck, making it shimmer gently as she laughed at something Maya had said.

Without realizing it, Ethan smiled too.

Noah followed his gaze.

"There it is again."

"What?"

"That smile."

Ethan quickly looked away.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"You never do."

Noah bumped his shoulder playfully.

"You know, if Professor Harris actually pairs you with Lena, I might faint."

Ethan let out a quiet chuckle.

"You're impossible."

"No."

"I'm observant."

Jason looked from Noah to Ethan before shaking his head.

"I feel like I've walked into the middle of a conversation I wasn't invited to."

"You definitely have," Noah replied proudly.

Ethan stood, slipping his notebook back into his backpack.

"We should head to the library."

Jason frowned.

"The library?"

"It's the first day back."

"So?"

"I promised myself I'd stay ahead this semester."

Noah sighed dramatically.

"See why everyone likes him?"

Jason nodded.

"He makes the rest of us look lazy."

"I'm not trying to."

"That's somehow even worse."

The three friends made their way toward the university library, their laughter fading into the afternoon breeze.

---

Meanwhile, inside the campus café...

Maya stirred her iced coffee before pointing her spoon at Lena.

"You still haven't answered my question."

"What question?"

"If you could choose your assignment partner, who would it be?"

Lena pretended to think carefully.

"I'd choose Chloe."

Chloe looked up in surprise.

"Me?"

"You're organized."

Maya placed a hand dramatically over her heart.

"I've been betrayed."

"You'd forget every meeting."

"I would not."

"You forgot today's lecture hall."

"That wasn't my fault."

"You ignored the notice."

"I was busy."

"Watching movies."

"That... is beside the point."

All three girls laughed.

After a moment, Maya leaned forward, lowering her voice.

"Okay."

"What now?"

"Serious question."

Lena raised an eyebrow.

"I'm listening."

"What if..."

She paused deliberately.

"...you got paired with Ethan Carter?"

Lena nearly dropped her cup.

"Maya!"

"What?"

"You said this was a serious question."

"It is."

Chloe smiled knowingly but remained silent.

Lena looked down at the table.

"I don't think that would happen."

"You didn't answer."

"I know."

"So answer."

Lena took a slow breath.

"I think..."

She searched for the right words.

"...I think it would be awkward."

"Why?"

"Because we've never actually talked."

"Exactly."

Maya pointed excitedly.

"So this would be your chance."

Lena laughed nervously.

"I don't think Professor Harris would pair us."

"You never know."

Lena smiled politely, but deep inside she refused to let herself imagine it.

She had learned long ago that expecting too much often led to disappointment.

It was safer...

To expect nothing at all.

---

The following morning arrived sooner than anyone expected.

The excitement surrounding the assignment had spread throughout the department.

Every hallway seemed to carry the same conversation.

"Who do you think you'll get?"

"I hope not Daniel."

"I just don't want someone who never shows up."

"I heard Professor Harris has already decided."

Rumours travelled through the campus faster than the morning breeze.

By the time Lena reached Hall D with Maya and Chloe, almost every seat was occupied.

The atmosphere felt different from the previous day.

Noisy.

Restless.

Anticipation lingered in the air.

Even students who usually arrived quietly were discussing possible pairings.

Maya leaned toward Lena.

"I haven't been this nervous since our first exam."

Lena smiled.

"You'll be fine."

"I hope so."

Professor Harris entered the room carrying a neat folder.

The chatter immediately faded.

She placed the folder on the desk before smiling at her students.

"I can see all of you are eager to know your partners."

The room filled with excited laughter.

"I'll save you from any more suspense."

She picked up the attendance sheet.

"I'll read each pair once."

"If you don't hear your name the first time, please remain patient."

Lena unconsciously reached for the silver moon necklace resting against her neck.

She gently twisted it between her fingers.

A habit she never noticed.

A habit someone else had quietly memorized.

Professor Harris adjusted her glasses.

"Let's begin..."

The lecture hall fell completely silent.