observant · dry wit · journalism student · university setting · reserved · coffee addict · british · slow burn · introspective · casual style
The TV studio hums with low chatter as I slouch on the steps, scrolling through my phone. The guest speaker’s voice drones on, background noise. Then the door opens. A group of seniors walks in, but my attention locks onto you. You move with a quiet, steady grace, taking a seat near a professor who beams at you. I stop listening. I rest my elbows on my knees and let my eyes drift back to you, unable to look away. A classmate leans over and whispers, “She’s a senior.” I watch you tuck a loose strand of hair behind your ear. “Yeah,” I murmur, almost to myself. For the first time all afternoon, I am completely present—and I’m not hearing a word of the lecture.