Author POV
Two day later, the sky over NYC shimmered with morning light as eight young architects stood at the airport, buzzing with excitement.
Passport in hand, dreams in their eyes, and suitcase heavier with hopes than clothes----the were ready.
Among them, Jasper Jean mariano stood out ---not because of her height or looks, but because of the energy she carried.
She was that kind of girl who could light up a dull room just by smiling, the kind who could make ever turbulence feel like a joke.
Her best friend mica nudged her shoulder. "Ready little miss cbaos? "
Jay grinned, tightening her bunny backpack straps,. "Always, mister mess? "
Their laughter echoes aa they boarded the plane.
Hours passed--- clouds drifted, coffee cups clinked, and the group of eight slowly drifted into sleep mid-flight.
But jay?
She couldn't sleep.
Her forehead rested against the cold airplane window, watching the endless white sky. Her thought dance between excitement and nervous ness.
Another country. Another chapter. You can do it this, jay.
She whispered to herself, "you're gonna make cece proud".
Somewhere, miles below, the light of London waited ---- bright, bold, and mysterious.
Author POV
The plane touched down smoothly at Heathrow Airport, and the group was instantly surrounded by the chill of British air and the chaos of arrivals.
Jay's small frame almost disappeared behind her trolley of luggage. Her pink hoodie looked oversized, her bangs slightly messy from the flight.
"Jay, you sure you call pull that big suitcase? " Clara asked, worried.
Jay puffed her cheeks and pouted. "Of course! I'm stronger than I look! "
The suitcase immediately tipped sideways, and everyone burst out laughing.
"Right.. " Mica said, grabbing the handle from her. "Featherweight".
"Rude! " She said, swatting his arm but smiling.
They finally made it out, where two sleek black car waiting----sent by Cambridge University.
A man in a formal suit stood with a placard that read;'Stanford delegation Royal architecture exchange'.
"Welcome to UK ", he said with a polite smile. " I'm Mr. Hudson, your coordinator. Accommodation for you near the university ".
The team split into two cars ----jay, mica, and clara, in one ;Daniel, Liam, and Chris in the other.
Jay sat by the window, eyes wide, watching the city pass by ---- the vintage building, narrow streets, the misty air that carried a story with every turn.
"This place feels like a movie ", she whispered.
Clara smiled. " And we're the main character ".
Jay giggled softly, hugging her bunny backpack. " I like that ".
Author POV
Their hotel was a stunning vintage style building with golden lamp, floral carpet, and an old-english cham that made Jay's eyes sparkle.
She jumped on the bed the moment they entered their suits. " This is heaven".
"Jay! " Clara laughed "behave, we're professional"
Jay grabbed a pillow dramatically. "Professionally sleepy, maybe! "
They spent the evening unpacking, calling home, and exploring the nearby streets---- tiny cafes, bookstores, and a bakery that smelled like suger dreams.
Jay bought a cup of strawberry ice cream, even though it was cold outside. "Some habits never change", she muttered, smiling.
Later that night, wrapped in her blanket, she face timed her family.
" Baby sissy! "Cece's voice echoed through the phone.
"Cece! Look at this veiw! " Jay flipped the camera towards the window showing the London skyline.
Cece laughed. "You look so tiny compared to that city, baby sissy".
Jay rolled her eyes playfully. " Stop calling me tiny! "
Her dad's voice came in the background. "Sleep early, my little architect. Big day tomorrow".
Jay nodded. " Yes, dad I will ".
But even as she said it, sleep came slowly ---- her mind was too full of excitement.
Tomorrow, she'd see Cambridge University.
Tomorrow, her dream would take shape.
Jay POV
The morning sun peeked through the curtains, filling the room with a soft golden glow.
Jay stretched, yawning, before sitting up on the bed. She blinked at the clock.
"7:30 already?! Oh my god, no! "
She jumped up and rushed into the bathroom, her voice echoing, "clara, wake up! We're late"
Twenty chaotic minutes later, Jay stood in front of the mirror----ready.
She wore a light pink full sleeves crop top, paired with denim shorts that stopped mid-thigh,. Her white sneakers were spotless, and her bunny backpack hung perfectly behind her.
Her hair was tied in a half-up style, bangs falling perfectly on her forehead, giving her that cutie pie charm that made everyone melt.
She looked at herself once, smiled, than whispered, "let's go make today perfect".
When she walked down to the looby, the boys were already there.
Noah turned around, eyes widening. " Jay... Are you sure you're going to university and not a music video shoot? "
Jay tilted her head, pretending to think. "I mean... I could do both? "
Everyone laughed.
As they stepped into the two cars again, the morning air was cool and crisp. Jay sat by the window, her heart racing.
She didn't know why --- maybe excitement. Maybe nerves. Maybe.. Fate whispered softly, he's waiting.
Author POV
The Cambridge campus
The car rolled through the grand gates of Cambridge university, the ancient building glowing in soft sunlight.
The air smelled like old books and ambition. Student filled the pathways----some rushing to class other chatters by the fountain.
Jay's eyes widened as she stepped out of the car.
"It's beautiful.. " She whispered.
Mr. Hudson walked up. "Welcome, miss mariano. The dean and the project coordinator are expecting you. "
Jay looked around, feeling small yet connfident. Her pink sleeves fluttered in the breeze as she clutched her folder tightly.
She didn't notice, but a group of business student were watching from across the courtyard.
Among them stood mark keifer watson.
He had just stepped out of his own meeting, tall and composed in a black shirt and gray trousers, his ID hanging from his neck. His hair was perfectly styled, his jaw sharp, and his aura screamed authority.
Keifer wasn't one to be easily distracted---- but something caught his eyes.
Across the courtyard, a tiny girl in pink was laughing at something her friend said.
Her hair danced in the wind, her smile bright like sunlight after rain.
Keifer froze.
His teammates were still talking, but he didn't hear them.
He didn't even realize his coffee cup stopped halfway to his lips.
Who... Is she?
She looked too small to even be in college---like a doll misplaced in a world of giants. Yet something about her pulled at him, something he couldn't explain.
She turned slightly---and their eyes met.
For the smallest second, time stopped.
Then Jay looked away, completely unaware of the storm she had just started.
Keifer exhaled slowly a rare, faint smirk tugging at his lips. "Interesting", he muttered under his breath.
He didn't know her name.
But something told him... He would.
Author POV
That morning, neither of them knew what destiny had written--that this small pink cutie and the tall, disciplined powerhouse would soon crash into each other's worlds in the most unexpected way.
He was power and control.
She was chaos and light.
The most complicated unpredictable story of all.
Falling for you.
To be continue....