*crowd bustling!
The hallways of Razan's university were alive with movement and noise.
"…did you hear about…"
"…no way, she actually said that?…"
The echo of footsteps mixed with constant chatter, the sound bouncing off the smooth marble flooring and pale cream walls.
"…coach said training's canceled… maybe tomorrow…"
Rows of tall glass windows lined one side of the corridor, letting the morning light spill through in bright streaks that stretched across the floor.
"…ugh, I still haven't finished that report…"
"…hey, wait up!… yeah, I'm talking to you…"
Students crowded the halls in every direction—
some walking briskly with books clutched to their chests, others laughing in small groups near the walls.
"…the test was brutal, man… I swear half the class failed…"
The faint hum of air-conditioning blended with the low murmur of conversations, the metallic clang of lockers opening and shutting filling the space now and then.
"…did you sign up for music club yet…?"
"…nah, I'm going for robotics this year… heard they got new gear…"
Posters for events, exams, and club activities were pinned neatly on the bulletin boards, their colors faded from weeks of sunlight.
"…I'm only joining for the free shirts, dude…"
"…you're so lazy—hey, hurry up, they're posting the club list…"
Razan walked through it all in silence, his stride steady and his expression unreadable.
"…don't look now but he's coming this way…"
A few students glanced his way, whispering under their breath as he passed, but he paid them no attention.
"…yeah, that guy, the quiet one… always has that look on his face…"
His focus was elsewhere, his thoughts still circling the strange message and what he needed to do next.
He turned down the last stretch of hallway, the sound of his boots tapping against the tiles echoing faintly as the crowd began to thin.
The familiar sight of his classroom door came into view—plain metal frame, window panel slightly smudged from fingerprints.
Without hesitation, Razan reached out and pulled it open, the hinges creaking slightly as he stepped inside.
Several students were already inside, scattered around the classroom in their usual morning routine.
Some were slouched over desks scrolling through their phones, others chatting in small circles or finishing last-minute notes.
The low hum of voices and the occasional laugh filled the air, blending with the faint buzz of the old ceiling lights above.
The moment Razan stepped through the door, however, a subtle shift rippled across the room.
Conversations quieted for just a second as several heads turned his way.
Eyes followed him—some curious, others cautious.
Razan had always carried an air that made people keep their distance.
Maybe it was his sharp expression or the constant look of irritation that followed him wherever he went.
He wasn't the type who joined group projects, small talk, or lunch gatherings.
To most, he was the quiet one who seemed like he wanted nothing to do with anyone.
But this time, for the first time in anyone's memory, he walked straight toward someone.
"Hey, I have a favor to ask," Razan said flatly, stopping beside a desk near the middle of the room.
The person he approached—Haeryn—turned her head, her group of friends going silent at once.
Out of all the people in the university, Haeryn was the last person anyone expected Razan to talk to.
She was well-known—top grades, confident personality, always surrounded by people.
The kind of person everyone gravitated toward.
Haeryn blinked, caught off guard for a second, before a small amused smile curled at her lips.
"Well, well, well," she said, her tone playful as her blonde hair swayed to the side when she turned fully toward him.
"Isn't this rare?" Haeryn said, her lips curling into a faint grin as she crossed her arms.
"You, approaching me? Usually, it's the other way around."
Her eyebrow lifted slightly, amusement flickering in her eyes.
"So, what is it?"
"Can't talk about it here," Razan replied simply, his voice calm but firm.
"I'll meet you later—after school."
A small silence followed, broken almost instantly by the snickers of Haeryn's friends sitting nearby.
"Ooh, exciting!" one of them chimed, leaning closer with a teasing grin.
"Are you gonna take her out or something?"
The others giggled, whispering between themselves as they glanced at the two.
"…they'd make such a weird pair though… but still kinda cute, right?…"
"...shh! not so loud, they might here you..."
Their laughter echoed briefly across the room, light and careless.
But Haeryn's attention didn't waver.
Her gaze stayed fixed on Razan's expression—no humor, no hesitation, just that same cold seriousness he always carried.
Whatever this was, it wasn't some joke or random talk.
*sigh…
She sighed quietly, though her expression softened slightly as she reached into her bag and pulled out her phone.
"Fine," she said, unlocking it with a quick tap.
"I never actually got your number anyway. Message me where we should meet."
Razan nodded without a word.
He took her phone carefully, thumbs moving quickly as he entered his number into her contacts.
He handed it back with a short nod, his face unreadable as always.
Haeryn glanced down at the screen, then back up at him, her expression thoughtful but curious.
"Alright then," she said lightly, though her tone carried a note of genuine interest now.
Razan didn't reply.
He turned away and walked toward his seat, the quiet chatter of the room slowly returning behind him.
.
.
.
Hours slipped by until the end of the school day finally arrived.
*clang! *clang! clang!
The loud clang of the final bell echoed across the campus, followed by the familiar rush of students flooding out through the university gates.
Razan was already outside, leaning lightly against his bike parked near the curb.
His bag hung loosely over one shoulder, his helmet resting on the seat beside him.
The late afternoon sun cast a warm glow over the courtyard, and the air buzzed with the sound of chatter, laughter, and engines revving as students began heading home.
He waited quietly, eyes fixed on the crowd as he scanned the waves of uniforms pouring out from the main building.
Minutes passed.
Then,
finally,
he saw her.
Haeryn stepped out through the doors, her blonde hair catching the sunlight for a brief moment.
But she wasn't alone.
Walking beside her was a man—tall, broad-shouldered, dressed casually but with a familiarity that was hard to miss.
The two walked close, their shoulders nearly brushing as they talked.
Razan's eyes flicked toward them briefly before shifting away.
He didn't move, didn't say anything.
His face stayed calm, expression unreadable.
Whatever was between them wasn't his concern.
But then—
something changed.
Haeryn's expression shifted mid-conversation.
The easy smile she wore faltered, replaced by a brief but unmistakable look of discomfort.
Her brows drew together, and she subtly pulled her arm away from the man's reach.
Razan noticed immediately.
His posture straightened slightly, his gaze narrowing as he studied the scene from a distance.
Something was off.