I wasn't looking for love.
Not in the crowded lecture hall, not in the noisy campus corridors, and definitely not on a day when life already felt too heavy on my shoulders.
I was late.
Again.
I rushed into the lecture hall, my heart racing, eyes scanning for an empty seat. That's when it happened.
I bumped into someone.
Hard.
My books scattered across the floor, papers sliding everywhere like my dignity had just given up on me.
"I'm so sorry," I said quickly, kneeling to gather my things.
"It's fine."
His voice was calm. Too calm for someone I had just crashed into.
I looked up—and froze.
He was staring at me. Not rudely. Not with annoyance. Just… curious. Like he was trying to read a story written across my face.
"Are you okay?" he asked.
I nodded, standing up. "Yes. I wasn't watching where I was going."
A small smile touched his lips. "Seems like fate wanted us to meet."
I scoffed. "Fate has bad timing."
He laughed softly.
That was the moment I knew—
this boy was going to change my life.
And I wasn't ready.
I found a seat at the back, my heart still beating faster than it should.
Why was I nervous?
It was just a stranger. A random boy with a calm voice and an annoying smile that felt too easy.
I pulled out my notebook, pretending to focus as the lecturer began talking, but my mind kept drifting back to him.
The way he looked at me.
Like he already knew me.
"Ariella."
I stiffened.
I knew that voice.
I turned slowly—and there he was, standing beside my seat.
"How do you know my name?" I asked.
He raised an eyebrow, amused. "You dropped your course form. It's written in bold letters."
Oh.
I felt stupid.
"Right," I muttered.
He handed it to me, our fingers brushing for just a second.
Electric.
I hated that my body noticed.
"Liam," he said, pointing at himself. "Since fate already introduced us badly, I figured I should do it properly."
"I don't believe in fate," I replied.
He smiled like he expected that answer. "Most people don't. Until they have to."
Before I could respond, the lecturer cleared his throat loudly.
"Is there something interesting you'd like to share with the class?"
Heat rushed to my face.
"No sir," I said quickly.
Liam chuckled and moved to the empty seat beside me.
Great. Just great.
For the rest of the lecture, I could feel his presence—quiet, steady, distracting. When class ended, I packed my bag fast, ready to escape.
"Ariella," he called.
I sighed and turned. "What?"
"Can I walk you out?"
I hesitated. Every instinct told me to say no.
But something else—something reckless—made me nod.
"Fine. But just to the gate."
He smiled again.
And just like that, I took my first step toward a story I promised myself I'd never live again.