Lina spent the entire afternoon trying to convince herself she wasn't imagining things.
It was just a coincidence.
That was all.
People could have similar eyes. Similar expressions. Similar smiles.
But they couldn't have the same presence.
The same feeling.
The same unsettling sense of familiarity.
She was walking across campus toward the library when she felt it again.
That awareness.
Like someone was watching her.
Her steps slowed.
And when she turned—
He was there.
Luca.
Leaning casually against the stone pillar near the entrance, sleeves rolled up, dark hair slightly messy like he hadn't tried too hard — and didn't need to.
He wasn't smiling.
He was studying her.
Not in a creepy way.
In a focused way.
Like he was trying to solve something.
Lina's pulse quickened.
"Do I know you?" he asked calmly.
No introduction.
No greeting.
Just that.
Her breath caught.
"What?"
His eyes didn't leave hers.
"Have we met before?"
Her heart skipped.
Was he—
No. That was impossible.
"I don't think so," she replied, trying to sound normal. "This is my first week here."
A small pause.
Luca stepped closer.
Not too close.
But close enough that she could notice the faint scent of his cologne — something subtle and warm.
"That's strange," he murmured. "You look familiar."
The air between them felt heavier.
Lina forced a small laugh. "Maybe I just have a common face."
His lips curved slightly.
"No," he said quietly. "Not common."
The way he said it made her stomach flip.
For a second, neither of them spoke.
The world moved around them — students passing, doors opening, footsteps echoing.
But it felt distant.
"Have you ever felt like you've seen someone before," Luca continued, his voice lower now, "even if you're sure you haven't?"
Her throat went dry.
Every nerve in her body screamed yes.
But she couldn't admit that.
"That sounds like déjà vu," she said carefully.
"Maybe," he replied.
But his gaze didn't say maybe.
It said something else.
Something deeper.
Something almost certain.
"Lina!"
The sudden voice broke the moment.
She turned to see Ryan jogging toward her, slightly out of breath but smiling as usual.
"There you are. I've been looking for you."
Ryan stopped beside her, glancing briefly at Luca before returning his full attention to Lina.
"Library study session. You promised, remember?"
Lina blinked.
Oh.
Right.
She had agreed earlier.
Ryan's presence felt different.
Light.
Easy.
He stood closer than necessary, brushing his shoulder against hers casually.
Luca noticed.
Of course he did.
His expression hardened — just slightly.
"Study hard," Luca said flatly, his eyes still on Lina.
Then he turned and walked away.
No goodbye.
No smile.
Just distance.
Ryan leaned closer to Lina, lowering his voice playfully.
"Okay… what was that?"
"What was what?" she asked quickly.
"That look. The tension. Did I interrupt something dramatic?"
She rolled her eyes.
"You're imagining things."
Ryan grinned.
"Well, if he gives you trouble, I volunteer as emotional support."
Lina laughed softly.
With Ryan, everything felt uncomplicated.
Safe.
But as she walked beside him toward the library—
She couldn't stop replaying the way Luca had looked at her.
The way he stepped closer.
The way he said her name.
Like it meant something.
Like he had been waiting to say it.
And that night—
For the first time—
In her dream…
He wasn't blurred.
He was clear.
And he whispered—
"Lina."