Chapter 2
1017 Words
The cafeteria was always the busiest place on campus during lunchtime.
The moment Sophia and Lily stepped inside, they were welcomed by the sound of students laughing, chairs scraping against the floor, and conversations coming from every corner.
Sophia looked around while holding her tray.
"I still don't understand why this place is always crowded."
Lily looked at her in disbelief.
"Because it's lunchtime."
"I know that."
"Then what's confusing?"
Sophia shrugged.
"I just feel like everyone suddenly remembers they have friends when food is involved."
Lily laughed.
"You're strange."
"I know."
They searched for an empty table and finally found one near the large windows overlooking the university garden.
Sophia placed her tray down and immediately picked up her fork.
Lily stared at her.
"What?"
"You didn't even wait for me."
"I'm hungry."
"You always say that."
"Because it's always true."
Lily shook her head but smiled.
Although Sophia came from a wealthy family, she never acted like she was above anyone. She could sit with anyone, talk to anyone, and laugh about the simplest things.
That was what made people like her.
She wasn't perfect.
She could be stubborn.
She was sometimes too honest.
And she had a habit of acting before thinking.
But she was kind.
And everyone who knew her knew that.
"So..." Lily started as she ate her food.
Sophia looked up.
"What?"
"Are you going to your parents' house this weekend?"
Sophia nodded.
"Yes. My mother called me yesterday."
"Another family dinner?"
"Unfortunately."
Lily laughed.
"Why do you say 'unfortunately'? Your family dinners are probably better than most people's vacations."
Sophia smiled.
"My parents are lovely, but they can be too much sometimes."
"Especially your father?"
"Especially my father."
Lily smiled.
"Mr. Clark is just protective."
"I know."
Sophia looked down at her food.
She loved her parents.
They had always given her everything she needed.
But sometimes, being the only child came with pressure.
Her father wanted her to become stronger and more responsible because, one day, she would represent the Clark family.
She understood that.
But sometimes she wished she could simply be Sophia.
Not the daughter of Daniel Clark.
Not the heiress of the Clark family.
Just Sophia.
"You're thinking too much again."
Sophia looked up.
"How do you know?"
"Because you have that expression."
"What expression?"
"The one where you disappear into your own thoughts."
Sophia smiled.
"You know me too well."
"Someone has to."
They continued eating while talking about random things.
For a moment, Sophia completely forgot about everything else.
Until a group of girls nearby suddenly started whispering excitedly.
"Isn't that Ethan?"
Sophia's hand paused.
She didn't even need to look.
She already knew.
Lily noticed her reaction and smiled.
"You don't even need to see him anymore."
"Unfortunately."
Sophia looked toward the entrance.
Ethan Lockwood had entered the cafeteria.
Just like earlier, everyone's attention immediately shifted toward him.
He walked calmly with a bottle of water in his hand, his expression unchanged.
Unlike other students who searched for friends to sit with, Ethan didn't seem interested in anyone.
He sat alone at a table near the far side of the cafeteria.
Sophia watched him for a few seconds.
"Does he ever smile?"
Lily shrugged.
"Maybe."
"I've never seen it."
"Maybe he doesn't have a reason to."
Sophia frowned.
"Everyone has a reason to smile."
Lily looked at her.
"Are you worried about him?"
Sophia immediately looked offended.
"Absolutely not."
"You answered too quickly."
"Because it's ridiculous."
Lily laughed.
"Sure."
Sophia ignored her and continued eating.
She had no reason to care about Ethan Lockwood.
In her opinion, people like him created their own loneliness.
---
Meanwhile, across the cafeteria, Ethan sat silently while scrolling through his phone.
He ignored the whispers around him.
He was used to them.
People always had something to say.
Some admired him because of his family name.
Some wanted to be close to him because of his wealth.
And some simply wanted to know what it felt like to have his attention.
But Ethan had learned a long time ago that most people were only interested in what they could gain.
"You're here."
A voice interrupted his thoughts.
Ethan looked up.
Ryan Carter dropped into the chair opposite him.
"Did you miss me?"
"No."
Ryan laughed.
"You always make people feel welcome."
Ethan returned his attention to his phone.
"You came here for a reason."
"Can't I just sit with my friend?"
"No."
Ryan shook his head.
"You really are impossible."
Ethan didn't respond.
Ryan looked toward Sophia's table.
"Isn't that Sophia Clark?"
Ethan briefly followed his gaze.
The girl from the Faculty of Business.
The one who always looked like she had an opinion about everything.
"Yes."
"You know her?"
"No."
Ryan smiled.
"But you know her name."
Ethan looked at him coldly.
"Everyone knows the Clark family."
Ryan laughed.
"Whatever you say."
Ethan ignored him.
But for a brief moment, his eyes drifted back to Sophia.
She was laughing at something Lily had said.
Unlike most people around him, she wasn't trying to get his attention.
She didn't even seem impressed by him.
That was unusual.
Before he could think any further, he looked away.
It didn't matter.
Sophia Clark was just another person.
At least, that's what he told himself.
---
Back at Sophia's table, Lily suddenly stood up.
"I need to get something."
Sophia looked at her.
"Now?"
"Yes. I'll be back."
"Don't take forever."
"I won't."
Lily disappeared into the crowd.
Sophia sighed and continued eating alone.
A few minutes later, she reached for her orange juice.
At the same time, someone passing behind her accidentally bumped into her chair.
The sudden movement startled her.
Her hand slipped.
The bottle fell from her fingers.
Sophia's eyes widened.
"No..."
The bottle hit the edge of the table.
Before she could catch it...
The orange juice flew through the air...
And landed directly on someone standing beside her.
The entire cafeteria fell silent.
Sophia slowly looked up.
Her heart nearly stopped.
Because the person standing in front of her...
Was Ethan Lockwood.
To be continued…
- Writer
