Monday mornings at King's University were always a whirlwind. The campus was alive with students rushing to early lectures, coffee cups in hand, some still half-asleep while others were already buried in their books. King's wasn't just any university—it was the university. A place that produced the best of the best, where students walked its halls with the weight of expectations pressing down on their shoulders. You didn't just attend King's; you survived it.
The air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of fresh coffee and damp pavement as I hurried toward the science building. The towering structure stood in sharp contrast to the older, ivy-covered buildings on the main campus. Modern and sleek, with large glass windows reflecting the bright morning sun, it was home to some of the toughest programs in the country.
As I entered the lecture hall, my stomach twisted with nerves. Professor Edward Calloway stood at the front, flipping through a set of notes. He was in his late fifties, with salt-and-pepper hair and sharp blue eyes that never missed a thing. A brilliant mind, no doubt, but also notoriously strict. He had a reputation for pushing his students beyond their limits, expecting nothing short of excellence.
"Settle down, everyone," he said, his deep voice cutting through the murmurs in the room. "We have a lot to cover today."
I slid into my usual seat, pulling out my notebook just as he began outlining our next challenge.
"This week, we have a special opportunity," he continued, pacing slightly. "The top two students in this class will be giving a presentation to a group of medicine students next week on Antibiotics and Rationale Prescribing. This is an opportunity to showcase your understanding of not only pharmacology but also the clinical reasoning behind appropriate prescribing."
The air in the room shifted. A presentation to medicine students? That wasn't just another assignment—it was a test of competence, a way to prove yourself in front of some of the most ambitious students on campus.
Calloway scanned the room, then his eyes landed on me. "Katherina Lewis," he announced. "And Jason Carter."
I exhaled sharply, my fingers tightening around my pen. Jason, seated two rows ahead, turned slightly and caught my gaze, flashing me a quick, easygoing grin.
Jason Carter was one of those people who somehow balanced being top of the class while also being annoyingly likable. Tall, with sandy brown hair and warm hazel eyes, he had a laid-back confidence that made everything seem effortless. We weren't exactly close, but he was always friendly, always ready with a joke to ease tension before an exam.
"Well," he murmured just loud enough for me to hear, "looks like we're partners in crime this week."
I managed a small smile, still feeling the weight of the challenge ahead.
After class, I made my way to the student café, still lost in my thoughts. The place was buzzing with students, the aroma of fresh pastries and espresso filling the air. I spotted Maddie at our usual table, her strawberry-blonde hair catching the light as she scrolled through her phone.
She looked up as I approached, her face lighting up before quickly morphing into something more troubled.
"Hey," I greeted, dropping into the chair across from her.
"Hey," she sighed, setting her phone down. "How was your morning?"
I ran a hand through my hair. "Calloway picked me and Jason Carter to give a presentation on antibiotics to the med students next week Friday."
Her eyebrows shot up. "Damn. You're gonna have to deal with those know-it-all future surgeons?"
"Apparently," I muttered. "What about you?"
She groaned, leaning back in her seat. "I got stuck with a business law assignment, which means I'll probably be stuck with Benson all week. Either working with him or third-wheeling with you guys."
I frowned. "That bad?"
She shrugged, but the frustration in her eyes was unmistakable. "It's just... I don't know, things with Trevor are a mess again. And now i am going to always be with you guy happy in love." she grimaced.
I stirred my coffee absentmindedly. Maddie's relationship problems were nothing new, but something about the way she spoke felt heavier this time.
"Do you want to talk about it? You and Trevor?" I offered.
She shook her head, giving me a tight smile. "Not now. I just want to get through this week without my brain exploding."
I nodded, understanding completely. We sat in comfortable silence for a while, sipping our drinks and people-watching.
One thing was becoming glaringly obvious, though—I hadn't seen Aiden at all and I hated that I even noticed.