POV of Sebastian Reinhardt
The coffee was still warm in my hands, though it had already lost some of its initial aroma. I was sitting in a quiet corner of the café, watching through the large window as students passed by. Some walked with books under their arms, others laughed carelessly, and some simply enjoyed the sunlight filtering through the trees. Everything seemed so… alive. So vibrant. But I didn't belong to that collective energy. I never had.
I took a slow sip of the coffee, savoring the bitterness that hit my tongue. It was good, but not extraordinary. I had accepted it without much thought when that girl offered it to me. Ellie, she said her name was. She wasn't someone who stood out physically, not even in the way she dressed. She wore simple jeans, a slightly worn beige sweatshirt, and basic white sneakers. Her light brown hair fell softly over her shoulders, without any particular style. She was the kind of person who could go unnoticed in any crowd.
And yet, her gesture had thrown me off balance.
It was strange. I had always believed that to succeed in life—and especially at Stanford—you had to be the complete opposite of what she seemed to be. Confidence. Determination. Charisma. Control. Those were the qualities I admired, the ones I myself tried to cultivate. And yet, that simple act of kindness had left me speechless. It was as if someone had momentarily cracked my armor of indifference, just to remind me that I was still human.
I let out a sigh, lowering my gaze to the coffee cup. Technically, I now owed a favor to someone. And I hated owing favors. It had always been that way. Favors implied dependence, vulnerability, and that was something I couldn't afford. But finding her would be complicated. I only knew her name: Ellie. In a university as large as Stanford, that detail was almost irrelevant. How many Ellies could there be? Ten? Fifty?
I shook my head, trying to push those thoughts aside. Maybe it was better to let it go for now. There were other priorities. I needed to rest a little before continuing with my day. I slowly stood up, leaving the empty cup on the counter, and stepped out of the café. The fresh air of the campus hit my face as I checked my phone. I had heard there would be a concert at Frost Amphitheater that afternoon. I wasn't particularly interested in the music, but maybe it would be worth going. A change of scenery, a distraction for a while.
I returned to my residence, where silence reigned. The single room I had requested fulfilled its purpose perfectly: it provided me with a space free of distractions. I dropped my backpack on the bed and took out my laptop, opening a document with my schedule for the upcoming quarter. Though I had already reviewed it several times, I wanted to make sure I didn't miss any important details. After a few minutes, I closed the screen and picked up my phone. I dialed the number of my personal butler, Mr. Klaus.
"Mr. Reinhardt," he answered on the third ring, with his usual formal tone. "How may I assist you?"
"Klaus, I need you to bring my car from Germany," I said without preamble, leaning back against the wall.
There was a brief pause on the other end of the line.
"Your car, sir? The BMW M8 Competition?" he asked, clearly surprised.
I nodded, though I knew he couldn't see me.
"Yes, that one. I no longer want to depend on the chauffeur. I prefer to move around on my own while I'm here."
I heard a slight clearing of the throat on the other end of the line.
"I understand, sir. However, may I suggest you consider one of the newer models from the Rolls-Royce or Bentley range? They would be much more in line with your status and comfort."
I rolled my eyes, though I knew he couldn't see me.
"I don't want anything ostentatious, Klaus. This place isn't Germany. Here, I prefer something discreet but reliable. Besides, the M8 is comfortable and has enough power for any situation. I don't need anything else."
Klaus sighed, probably resigned.
"As you wish, sir. I will immediately arrange for the vehicle's transfer. Although I must warn you that the process could take a few weeks due to customs procedures."
"I know," I replied dryly. "Do what you have to do. Just make sure it arrives in optimal condition."
"Of course, sir. I've also prepared a list of local contacts in case you need technical service or maintenance during your stay at Stanford."
"Good. That's all for now, Klaus."
"At your service, Mr. Reinhardt."
I hung up the phone and stared at the blank screen for a few seconds. I knew Klaus had good intentions, but sometimes his obsession with luxury and perfection was exhausting. For me, the BMW M8 was more than enough. I didn't need a Rolls-Royce or a Bentley to get around campus. I preferred something practical, something that wouldn't draw too much attention. After all, I wasn't here to impress anyone.
I lay back on the bed, staring at the white ceiling of my room. My mind involuntarily returned to Ellie. It was strange how such a small gesture could stick in your memory. There was something about her that I couldn't quite figure out. Maybe it was her shyness, or perhaps that timid but sincere smile she had given me before leaving. I didn't know. The only thing I was clear about was that, somehow, her kindness had managed to break through my armor, even if only for a moment.
I briefly considered looking for her. I could ask at the main building, or even check Stanford's social media networks. But something inside me told me not to rush. Maybe, if fate willed it, I would cross paths with her again. For now, I preferred to focus on what really mattered: my studies, my career, my future.
I glanced at the clock. There were still a couple of hours before the concert at Frost Amphitheater. I decided to use that time to review some scientific articles I had downloaded days earlier. Though I knew I wasn't going to solve revolutionary problems by reading a few pages, I liked to stay informed about the latest advances in biomedical engineering. It was a way to remind myself why I was here.
I left my room after reading for an hour. The sun was beginning to set on the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink. I walked toward the amphitheater, feeling the campus buzz grow louder as I approached, guided by my phone. Lake Lagunita was nearby, according to the map I had seen, so I decided to spend some time there for the moment.