The campus media room felt quieter than most other places. The only sounds were the clatter of typing and soft music playing from the headphones hanging around the neck of a young man with slightly messy hair.
"Hey, is the meeting over?" he asked casually, not bothering to take off his headphones.
Robin glanced at the guy sitting in front of his laptop, his foot tapping along to the beat of the music. Instead of answering right away, Robin threw his bag onto the chair and sat down.
"Same old. A lot of rules and tasks..." he replied flatly.
Robin was a Communication major focusing on Media and Journalism. That's why he'd joined the Media & Publications division for the festival committee. He had a knack for writing and managing social media, though he wasn't exactly the most social guy.
The other guy chuckled. "Of course, you think the festival will run on its own?"
Robin let out a deep sigh and checked a few messages from other committee members on his phone. "Geez..." he muttered quietly.
His only friend shot him a quick glance. "What's up with you? You look like you're about to eat someone alive since you got back."
"Shut up, Nelson."
But instead of backing off, Nelson only laughed, unfazed by Robin's sharp look. He scooted his chair a little closer and lowered his gaze to Robin's pants.
"Hey... what happened? Did you get into a fight?"
Robin frowned and followed Nelson's gaze, only then realizing his pants were slightly wrinkled around the knees, with faint scuff marks.
"Don't tell me you've been in a brawl?" Nelson teased, raising an eyebrow.
Robin snorted and leaned back in his chair. "Nah."
Nelson propped his elbow on the table, eyes full of interest. "So what happened? Don't tell me it was because of a girl?" He chuckled softly before adding, "Oh, was it one of those accidental meetings like in dramas?"
Robin flashed a small grin, his expression dripping with sarcasm. "More like... someone who doesn't know how to walk without bumping into others."
Nelson raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Who? Let me guess... a girl, right?"
But Robin didn't answer, just gave him a flat stare. Nelson grew even more curious, but instead of pressing further, he grinned mischievously. "Hmm... interesting," he murmured. "Now I'm really curious who could make you so upset."
Robin didn't respond, opting to open his laptop and get to work. But deep down, he knew working with that person would be its own challenge.
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Lunch had barely wrapped up when the laid-back vibe shifted. Suzie started getting all sweet with Walter. She clung to his arm with a smile, leaning into him as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"Can we stop by the café before heading home? I'm really craving bubble tea," she said, her voice laced with playful sweetness.
Walter let out a low laugh. "Sure, we can swing by." Then he turned to Lyra. "Hey, is that marketing strategy assignment due this week or next?"
Lyra kept her eyes steady, trying not to flinch. This was normal—Suzie and Walter were together now. She just had to keep her composure. "This week. Thursday," she said, keeping her voice even.
Suzie wasn't done. "Don't worry, I'll make you notes so you won't forget," she added, lightly tugging on Walter's arm again.
Arlo, who'd been watching quietly, raised an eyebrow and teased, "Hey, at this rate, Walter's gonna forget the rest of us exist."
Suzie grinned, unfazed. "Well, not my fault he's dating me and not you."
Laughter rippled around the table. Lyra smiled too, just barely. It was all in good fun, but the tightness in her chest didn't quite go away.
Walter checked his watch, then looked over. "Lyra, we should get going. Class starts soon."
She caught his gaze and froze for half a second before nodding and picking up her bag.
In his simple polo and calm air, Walter nodded to the others. "We're heading out."
Arlo gave a distracted wave, eyes still on his drink. Suzie smiled and sent them off with a cheerful, "Take care!"
Walter smiled back and fell into step beside Lyra as they made their way to class.
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"So... you okay?" Walter asked, breaking the silence as they waited for the elevator.
Lyra nodded quickly. "Yeah. Why?"
He looked at her for a moment, then offered a small smile. "I don't know. You've just seemed... different since yesterday. Quiet, a bit distant maybe."
He wasn't wrong. Lyra tended to be reserved around strangers, but with her own circle, she was warm—sometimes even goofy, known for cracking jokes and lightening the mood.
"I just wanted to check in," he added.
Lyra swallowed hard. She tried to act casual, but everything about this felt awkward. "I'm fine. We still talk like usual, don't we? Don't overthink it."
Walter sighed. "We're best friends. It's not weird for me to worry."
That only made things worse. Not because she was upset with him—quite the opposite. His concern was exactly what made moving on so difficult. She didn't want to be the girl who couldn't let go, the one who lingered around someone else's relationship.
Before she could respond, a flat voice cut in from behind. "If you've got this much free time, maybe use it to find sponsors instead of flirting."
They both turned. Robin stood there, his signature deadpan stare fixed on them.
Lyra's reaction was instant. "He's not my boyfriend! Don't just assume things!" Her cheeks flushed, more from irritation than embarrassment. "Walter is my friend, and he already has a girlfriend."
Robin barely blinked. "Whatever. Just get moving. I'm not a fan of picking up slack because people are busy playing high school drama."
Without waiting for a reply, he turned and walked off.
Walter stayed quiet for a beat, then muttered, "That's the guy you said was annoying, right?"
Lyra let out a long sigh. "Yeah... and I think I underestimated just how annoying he really is."
Walter gave a small laugh. "Doesn't seem too big on basic manners, huh? Especially for a freshman. Only a year below us, but the way he talks to upperclassmen... yikes."
Rubbing her temple, Lyra groaned. "Why is my life one big stress test?"
Still trying to get over her best friend, and now she had to deal with a walking thundercloud in committee meetings. Great.
Walter chuckled. "Hang in there. Believe me, my club's got one of those too."
Lyra could only sigh. Looks like this was going to be a very, very long semester.
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The café buzzed that afternoon. Espresso machines hissed, spoons clinked against ceramic, and the low hum of students filled the air, some deep in assignments, others juggling part-time jobs. Lyra sat tucked into a corner with the Funding & Partnership team, her laptop open and a half-finished latte cooling beside it.
They'd been there nearly two hours, hunting for vendors for the upcoming festival. The proposal draft was underway, but much still needed polishing. Lyra typed a few lines into their shared doc, glancing at her teammates, all equally absorbed in their screens and phones.
"I found a couple of food vendors," one said, nudging his laptop so others could see. "There's this stand near campus—Takoyaki Bliss. They've done several college events."
A girl in a hoodie nodded. "Nice one, Adam. But we should reach out and confirm availability before moving forward."
Lyra checked their list. "I'm on photobooths and drinks, right, Mei?" she asked while tapping on her phone.
"Yeah. I also contacted someone from Snap Frames," said the girl with shoulder-length hair beside her. "If they're on board, we can start negotiating prices and packages."
Lyra nodded and jotted notes on her laptop. The work was demanding but oddly enjoyable; she was learning a lot about vendor deals and event logistics.
A few minutes later, Mei suddenly turned toward her, as if something had clicked. "Oh right, Lyra…"
"Hm?" Lyra didn't look up, still typing.
"If we get a confirmed vendor, could you reach out to Robin?"
That made her pause mid-keystroke. She blinked at Mei. "What? Why me?"
Mei shrugged casually. "You two seem pretty close. Might be easier to coordinate."
Lyra nearly laughed at how random that sounded. "Since when are we close?"
Mei narrowed her eyes, like Lyra had just said something ridiculous. "You walked into the first meeting together and looked like you already knew each other. I just assumed."
"We just happened to bump into each other. That's it."
"Still," Mei grinned, "you know him better than we do. So I'm leaving it to you."
Lyra opened her mouth to argue but stopped herself. Mei, as one of the division leads, wasn't likely to change her mind. She sighed in defeat. One personal mess barely behind her, and now she had to deal with Robin. Definitely not someone she'd choose to chat with—especially about teamwork.
"Why is my life just one long string of trials?" she muttered, rubbing her temples.
Mei and Adam chuckled quietly while Lyra returned to her screen, shoulders sinking. This was going to be a long day.
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After a long day packed with work and back-to-back classes, Lyra finally found a moment to catch her breath at her favorite spot. She stood in line, staring blankly at the menu. It wasn't that she couldn't decide — her mind was still tangled in unfinished tasks.
As she waited for her order, a familiar voice slid into her ear.
"Wow, you look like you just lost a battle. Don't tell me the committee's already draining your soul."
Lyra turned to see Robin standing there, his usual blank expression in place. Beside him, Nelson was glued to his phone, occasionally glancing up at the exchange.
"None of your business," Lyra replied curtly.
Robin smirked, eyeing the digital menu above the cashier. "Let me guess — you eat here every day, right? So cliché."
Lyra scoffed, crossing her arms tighter. "Not your concern. It's good, that's all."
Nelson, quiet until now, looked up and squinted at them. "What's going on with you two?"
"What do you mean?" Robin asked casually, not missing a beat.
"Why does she look pissed every time you open your mouth?" Nelson grinned, clearly enjoying the scene. "Is she the one you were talking about earlier?"
Lyra rolled her eyes. "Because he's annoying."
"Harsh. But I thought you two were getting along? Didn't you walk into the first meeting together?" Nelson laughed.
Robin slipped his hands into his jacket pockets, a small grin forming. "Yeah, I don't get it either. She acts like I'm her arch-nemesis."
"You're the one who starts it," Lyra shot back, not backing down.
"Maybe I just have a natural talent for irritating people," Robin shrugged, unfazed.
Nelson chuckled beside him. "That's a given."
Before Robin could reply, the cashier called Lyra's name. Her order was ready. She stepped forward quickly to grab it.
"Finally. Now I can go home," she muttered under her breath.
Before leaving, she shot a glance at Robin and Nelson. "You two keep chatting. I've got other things to do."
Robin waved lazily. "Don't forget to rest, workaholic."
Nelson chuckled while Lyra sighed deeply and walked away.
Once out of earshot, Nelson folded his arms and gave Robin a meaningful look, nudging him with his elbow.
"You've done it," he said casually.
"Done what?" Robin frowned.
"Made someone you barely know act like you're her arch-nemesis. But oddly, you also seem... kind of concerned. Is there something going on between you two?"
Robin snorted, then turned to Nelson with a flat expression. "What are you thinking?"
Nelson shrugged, grinning wider. "I mean, you'll be working with her for a while, right? Of course, you'll be seeing a lot of her."
Robin stuffed his hands in his pockets, looking completely at ease. "Well, yeah. And if she gets sick from overworking, it'll be a pain for me too."
Nelson raised an eyebrow, intrigued but silent. Internally, he thought, There are plenty of people in her division. If she can't do it, they'll find a replacement. So why does it feel like he's acting responsible for her?
Instead of voicing this, Nelson just smirked. "But you're not really the type to mess with people, especially to the point of pissing them off."
"She was the one who bumped into me first," Robin muttered with a small snort. "Besides, maybe she just takes everything too seriously. She's the one who gets triggered so easily."
Nelson chuckled but didn't press further. His gaze lingered on Robin, filled with unspoken curiosity.
Noticing the look, Robin clicked his tongue. "Why are you staring like that? Got a problem?"
Nelson raised both hands in mock innocence. "Nah, just thinking... but never mind."
Robin arched an eyebrow but didn't press. He turned and walked toward an empty table in the corner, Nelson following, still chuckling.
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The sun hung low, its warm rays slowly melting the last traces of dew from leaves and pavement. The campus stirred—some students hurried to class, others strolled, chatting with friends in the fading afternoon light.
Walter and Suzie walked side by side, a picture of harmony. Suzie wore an oversized cream sweater that looked cozy, paired with a mini skirt and spotless white sneakers—clearly someone who took good care of her things. Her brown hair tumbled down her shoulders, tied back with a small ribbon that matched her cheerful, sweet nature.
She linked her arm tightly through Walter's, occasionally leaning in to rest her head on his shoulder playfully.
"Are you sure you didn't forget the assignment papers today?" Walter asked, his sleeves rolled up, the top two buttons of his shirt undone.
"Hm… I think they're in my bag," Suzie replied, a flicker of panic crossing her face. "Oh no, don't tell me I forgot…"
Walter sighed softly but quickly opened his backpack, pulling out a folder with neatly arranged papers. "Is this it? I kept it for you yesterday, just in case."
Suzie's face lit up with a wide smile. "Aww, Walter! You're the best!" She stood on tiptoes and kissed his cheek, a gesture so natural it seemed effortless.
Walter chuckled, unfazed by her affection. "I'm just being cautious—I know your habits."
She pouted playfully, tapping his arm. "Are you teasing me?"
"No, I just know you too well," Walter said casually, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
Their laughter filled the air as they continued walking, as if the world existed only for them. Suzie squeezed Walter's hand tighter, and he let her, comfortable in the simple closeness they shared.
"Oh, and don't forget—I've got cheerleading practice this afternoon. You'll come, right?" Suzie asked, her voice bright as ever.
"Of course," Walter replied without hesitation. "How could I miss watching my pretty girl perform?"
Suzie beamed, hugging his arm tighter, clearly pleased.
They looked like the perfect couple—something straight out of a teen drama.
Lyra's steps slowed as she spotted them. They weren't far, just enough that they didn't notice her.
At first, she'd planned to head to class without a second thought. But the sound of their laughter, the tight grip of their hands, their closeness—something inside her twisted painfully.
Her breath caught.
She should've accepted the reality.
She should've gotten used to seeing them like this.
But why did it still hurt so much?
A bitter taste rose in her throat, a pain she'd tried countless times to bury deep.
That morning, watching Walter's easy smile, the tenderness he showed Suzie, something inside Lyra cracked once again.
She bit her lip, fighting back the rising tide of emotion. But the harder she tried to suppress it, the sharper the pain grew.
Her heart felt squeezed.
She knew it was her fault. She shouldn't have let herself get lost in old feelings, shouldn't have hoped for too much from the start.
Still, knowing all that didn't make it any easier.
Why am I still like this… she whispered.
Watching Walter—always so close to her—now belong fully to someone else hurt more than she could admit. But worse still was that Suzie, her own friend, had him.
Not wanting to linger, Lyra turned and walked away, quickening her pace to put distance between herself and the painful scene before tears could fall.
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Quiet. Just her, her reflection in the mirror, and the feelings she had fought so hard to hold back.
Lyra's small hands clenched the edge of the sink. She bowed her head, a burning pressure rising behind her eyes. Her breath came in shallow gasps as she struggled to swallow the emotions teetering on the edge.
But it was already too much.
A single tear slipped onto the white porcelain. Her shoulders trembled as soft, nearly silent sobs shook her frame, tightening her chest with every breath. She bit down hard on her lip, desperate to hold the flood back, but it was futile.
"This is ridiculous... why am I like this?"
Maybe it was exhaustion. The last few days had stretched endlessly—assignments, meetings, mounting pressure. Sleep had been scarce. She pushed through it all, but now her emotions ran wild.
Quick to anger. Quick to sadness. Quick to feel like the world was closing in.
And this morning—seeing Walter and Suzie laughing together—had been the final blow. The one that shattered her defenses.
Lyra inhaled deeply, trying to steady herself. She wiped away the tears, then met her own gaze in the mirror.
She couldn't stay like this.
She couldn't dwell on feelings she should've buried long ago.
With one more breath, she grabbed a tissue, wiped away the last traces of tears, and forced herself to compose once again.
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*** TO BE CONTINUE ***