Chapter 3
Luisa sat quietly in the corner of the library, pretending to read but not really seeing the words. Her mind was somewhere else—on him.
How do I thank him? she thought, tapping her pen lightly against the page. Should I just say it? Or maybe buy him something? Ugh, this is so hard.
Just then, the chair next to her slid out.
Startled, she turned her head—
and froze.
It was Ben.
Her eyes widened slightly, her heart skipping a beat.
Oh no... what do I do now? Should I say something? Should I thank him?
Before she could decide, a low, calm voice reached her ears.
Ben: "Hey, are you okay now?"
Luisa looked up shyly, trying to sound normal.
Luisa: "Oh—hii, I mean... yeah, I'm fine. Thank you."
Ben smiled faintly.
Ben: "That's good."
She smiled back awkwardly.
Luisa (thinking): Okay, now I should thank him properly.
After a moment, she spoke softly.
Luisa: "Hey, um... thank you so much for yesterday."
Ben: "Oh, it's okay. Don't thank me."
She smiled again, a bit embarrassed. He turned his eyes back to his book, calm and focused.
Luisa, however, couldn't focus at all.
Why does it feel so awkward? Why do I feel nervous around him?
She sighed quietly and began packing her books.
I think I should leave...
Outside, the cold breeze brushed against her face as she walked through the university garden.
Luisa (thinking): Ahh, now I feel better. But why do I feel so weird and awkward in front of him? And why am I always thinking about him lately?
She stopped walking and shook her head.
Luisa (to herself): "That's it. I'm not thinking about him anymore."
The next lecture began, and this time, she focused. Every word, every note—she forced herself to listen.
When class ended, Luisa packed her things, talking on the phone with her mother.
Luisa: "Yeah, Mom, I'm fine. Why are you always so worried?"
Mom: "Honey, it's really cold these days. Please take care of yourself."
Luisa: "Yes, Mom, I will. Bye. Love you."
She smiled faintly, staring at her phone.
Luisa (thinking): If Mom knew I hurt my ankle, she'd be so worried...
Just as she was slipping her phone into her bag, a girl rushing past bumped hard into her.
Luisa lost her balance, her bag nearly falling to the floor—
and suddenly, someone grabbed her by the arms, stopping her from falling.
Luisa (in a low voice): "Ahh—ouch... my ankle... it's hurting..."
A deep, unfamiliar voice spoke gently.
???: "Hey, careful! Are you okay?"
Luisa looked up and blinked. It wasn't Ben.
It was someone else—
a tall guy with kind brown eyes and a warm, worried smile.
Luisa: "I-I'm fine, thank you..."
???: "You sure? You almost fell pretty hard there."
He helped steady her, his hand still lightly supporting her arm.
Luisa: "Yeah, I just... lost balance."
He smiled. "I'm David. First year, business major."
Luisa: "Oh, um... I'm Luisa."
David: "Nice to meet you, Luisa. Try not to hurt that ankle again, okay?"
She gave a small nod, still a little surprised.
He gave her a polite smile and walked away.Luisa stood there for a moment, watching him leave.
Luisa waiting for the bus stop
Luisa : I am so tired today ahh it's so cold