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, without 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 with a focus on Media and Journalism. That's why he 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 guy chuckled. "Of course, you think the festival will run on its own?"
Robin let out a deep sigh, 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, the guy named Nelson only laughed, unfazed by the sharp look from Robin. 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 marks of a scuff.
"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, his eyes full of interest. "So what happened? Don't tell me it was because of a girl?" He chuckled softly before continuing, "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.
********
Lunch had barely wrapped up when the laid-back vibe shifted. Suzie had started getting all sweet with Walter. She clung to his arm with a smile, leaning into him like it was the most natural thing in the world.
"Can we stop by the café before heading home? I'm really craving bubble tea," 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 gave a nod 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.
********
"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 second, 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, even goofy at times, 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 friend. 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 with his signature deadpan stare.
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. Looked like this was going to be a very, very long semester.
********
The café was buzzing that afternoon. Espresso machines hissing, spoons clinking against ceramic, and the low hum of students deep in their assignments and part-time jobs. Lyra sat tucked into a corner with the Funding & Partnership team, her laptop open in front of her and a half-finished latte growing cold beside it.
They'd been there for almost two hours, hunting for the right vendors for the upcoming festival. The proposal draft was underway, but there was still a lot to polish. Lyra typed a few lines into their shared doc, glancing around at her teammates who were equally glued to their screens and phones.
"I found a couple of food vendors," one of them said, nudging his laptop so the others could see. "There's this food stand near campus, Takoyaki Bliss. They've done a bunch of college events."
A girl in a hoodie turned and nodded. "Nice one, Adam. But we should reach out and confirm availability before we move forward."
Lyra checked the list they'd put together. "I'm on photobooths and drinks, right, Mei?" she asked while tapping quickly on her phone.
"Yeah. I also got in touch with someone from Snap Frames," said the shoulder-length-haired girl next to her. "If they're on board, we can start negotiating prices and packages."
Lyra nodded and jotted a few notes on her laptop. The work was demanding, but oddly fun, she was learning a lot about vendor deals and event logistics.
A few minutes passed before Mei suddenly turned to her like something just clicked. "Oh right, Lyra..."
"Hm?" She 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 out loud at how random that sounded. "Since when are we close?"
Mei narrowed her eyes like Lyra had just said something completely 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, being one of the division leads, wasn't likely to change her mind. So Lyra just sighed in defeat. One personal mess barely behind her, and now she had to deal with Robin of all people. Definitely not someone she'd choose to chat with, especially not 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.
********
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, it was more that 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 draining your soul already?"
Lyra turned to see Robin standing there, wearing his usual blank expression. Beside him, Nelson was engrossed in his phone, occasionally glancing up at the exchange between Lyra and Robin.
"None of your business," Lyra replied curtly.
Robin smirked, glancing at the digital menu above the cashier. "Let me guess, you're the type who eats here every day, right? So cliché."
Lyra scoffed, her arms crossing tighter. "Not your concern. It's good, that's all."
Nelson, who had been quiet up until now, finally looked up from his phone, squinting at the two of them as the tension between them simmered.
"What's going on with you two?" he asked, his tone laced with curiosity.
"What do you mean?" Robin asked casually, not skipping a beat.
"Why does she look so 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 in together to the first meeting?" Nelson laughed.
Robin slipped his hands into his jacket pockets and gave a small grin. "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 respond, Lyra's name was called by the cashier. 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 continue your chat. I've got other things to do."
Robin waved lazily. "Don't forget to rest, workaholic."
Nelson chuckled at his side while Lyra sighed deeply and walked away.
Once she was out of earshot, Nelson folded his arms and shot a meaningful look at Robin, nudging him with his elbow.
"You've done it," he said casually.
Robin furrowed his brow. "Done what?"
"Made someone you barely know act like you're their 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, his grin widening. "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 didn't respond immediately. Internally, he thought, There are plenty of people in her division. If she can't do it, they'll find a replacement. Why does it feel like he's trying to act responsible for her?
Instead of voicing his thoughts, Nelson simply 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. "And besides, maybe she's just the type who takes everything too seriously. She's the one who gets triggered so easily."
Nelson chuckled at his response but didn't push further. His gaze lingered on Robin, filled with unspoken curiosity.
Noticing the look, Robin clicked his tongue. "Why are you looking at me like that? Got a problem?"
Nelson raised both hands in mock innocence. "Nah, I was just thinking... but never mind."
Robin arched an eyebrow but didn't press. He then turned and walked toward an empty table in the corner, while Nelson followed, still chuckling to himself.
********
The sun hung low in the sky, casting warm rays that gradually melted away the last traces of dew from the leaves and sidewalk. The campus was coming alive with students arriving ~ some hurrying to their classes, others taking their time and chatting with friends.
Walter and Suzie walked side by side, a picture of harmony. Suzie wore an oversized cream-colored sweater that looked cozy, paired with a mini skirt and fresh white sneakers, likely because she was the type to take good care of her belongings. Her brown hair cascaded down her shoulders, tied with a small ribbon, reflecting her cheerful and sweet nature.
She linked her arm tightly with Walter's, occasionally leaning against his shoulder in a playful manner.
"Are you sure you didn't forget the assignment papers today?" Walter's sleeves rolled up and the top two buttons of his shirt undone.
"Hmm... I think they're in my bag," Suzie replied, her expression showing a hint of panic. "Oh no, don't tell me I forgot..."
Walter let out a small sigh, then without a second thought, he opened his backpack and pulled out a folder containing neatly arranged papers. "Is this the assignment? I kept it for you yesterday, just in case you forgot."
Suzie immediately flashed a wide smile. "Aww, Walter! You're the best!" Without hesitation, she stood on her tiptoes and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek, a gesture so natural to her.
Walter chuckled softly, clearly unfazed by Suzie's spontaneous affection. "I'm just being cautious, I know your habits."
She pouted playfully, lightly tapping his arm. "Are you teasing me?"
"No, I just know you too well," Walter replied casually, smiling faintly.
They continued walking, laughter filling the air as if the world revolved only around them. Suzie squeezed Walter's hand tighter, and he let it happen comfortably, as if it was just another thing they did together.
"Oh, and don't forget, I've got cheerleading practice this afternoon. You'll come, right?" Suzie asked, her voice as cheerful as ever.
"Of course," Walter answered without hesitation. "How could I miss watching my pretty girl perform?"
Suzie beamed, then beamed, hugging his arm tighter, clearly pleased with his answer.
They seemed like the perfect couple, like something straight out of a teen drama.
Lyra's steps slowed when her eyes caught sight of them. They weren't far from where she stood, but just enough for her to be sure they hadn't noticed her presence.
At first, she had planned to head to her class without thinking too much. But as the sound of their laughter filled the air, the tight grip of their hands, and the closeness between them, something inside her tightened painfully.
Her breath hitched.
She should have already accepted the reality.
She should have gotten used to seeing them like this.
But why did it still hurt so much?
There was a bitter taste in her throat, a pain she had tried so many times to bury as deep as possible.
This morning, watching how easily Walter smiled with Suzie, how tenderly he treated her, Lyra felt something inside her crack once again.
She bit her lip, trying to hold back the rising emotions. But the more she tried to suppress it, the stronger the pain surged to the surface.
Her heart felt like it was being squeezed.
She knew this was her fault. She shouldn't have let herself get lost in old feelings. She shouldn't have hoped for too much from the beginning.
Yet knowing all of that didn't make it any easier.
'Why am I still like this...' she whispered to herself.
Watching Walter, who had always been so close to her, now fully belonging to someone else, still hurt more than she could admit. But what hurt even more was the fact that Suzie, her own friend, was the one who had him.
Not wanting to stay there any longer, Lyra turned and walked away. She quickened her pace, distancing herself from the spot before her tears could fall.
********
Quiet... It was just her, her reflection in the mirror, and the feelings she had been trying to hold back.
Lyra's small hands gripped the sink tightly. She bowed her head for a moment as a burning sensation filled her eyes. Her breath came in quick gasps, desperately trying to swallow the emotions that were on the edge of spilling over.
But it was already too much.
A single tear fell onto the surface of the white sink, then her shoulders began to shake.
She sob quiet, nearly silent sobs that still managed to make her chest tight. With effort, she bit down on her lip, trying to hold the flood of emotions back, but it was futile.
"This is ridiculous... why am I like this?"
Maybe it was exhaustion. The past few days had felt endless, filled with assignments, meetings and mounting pressure. She hadn't been sleeping enough, kept pushing through, and now her emotions were all over the place.
Quick to anger, quick to sadness, quick to feel like the world was against her.
And this morning, seeing Walter and Suzie laughing together, had been the last blow, the one that finally broke her.
Lyra took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down. She quickly wiped away the tears that had fallen, then looked at her reflection in the mirror.
She couldn't be like this.
She couldn't dwell on feelings she should have buried long ago.
So, with one more deep breath, she grabbed a tissue, wiped the remaining tears away and tried to compose herself again.
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*** TO BE CONTINUE ***