The lecture hall was loud, like it always was.
Somewhere in the front, someone was arguing about homework, waving a pen like a sword. In the back, laughter erupted, sharp and sudden, echoing off the high ceiling. Chairs scraped against the floor, backpacks thumped, pens fell, laptops clicked.
Selena slipped into her usual seat near the back and opened her notebook, flipping to a fresh page. She liked starting clean, letting her pen flow without interruption.
Few minutes later,The door slammed open.
Luke came rushing in, backpack swinging, papers sticking out of it like flags. His hair was plastered to his forehead, his breath coming in short, uneven bursts. He dropped into the seat beside her with a thud.
"Okay… I made it," he panted.
"You're late," Selena said without looking up.
"No, I'm not," he said, checking the clock.
Selena tilted her head toward the professor, already scribbling equations across the board.
"…Okay, maybe a little," he admitted, sheepishly.
Selena went back to writing.
He leaned closer, voice low.
"So… what did I miss?"
"Attendance," she said simply.
He froze, eyes wide.
"You're joking."
She shook her head.
He dropped his head onto the desk.
"You've got to be kidding me."
The guy in front of them turned, grinning.
"You walked in like the building was on fire," he said.
Luke groaned, running a hand through his hair.
"Fantastic. My academic career is over."
Selena rolled her eyes but didn't stop writing.
"You think this is funny?" he asked.
"I think you should come to class on time," she replied evenly.
He pointed at her notebook.
"You write everything down, don't you?"
"Yes."
"That's terrifying," he whispered, half in awe, half in mock fear.
Class ended. Students streamed out, chattering and bumping into each other.
Luke caught up to her in the hallway, slightly out of breath.
"Hey," he said.
"What?"
"You understood that lecture, right?"
"Yes."
"Good."
He held up his notebook. Blank.
"You didn't write anything."
"I was busy surviving," he said.
"You're dramatic."
"I'm realistic," he replied with a grin.
They walked down the stairs.
"You walk fast," he said, squinting.
"I walk normally."
"No, you don't."
"Yes, I do."
"I'm literally power-walking right now," he said, pumping his arms slightly.
The guy behind them laughed.
"She's leaving you behind, man."
Luke glared.
"Mind your business."
Selena almost smiled.
The cafeteria was chaos, as usual.
Luke spotted her at her usual table, quietly sipping soup. He dropped his tray next to hers with a loud clatter.
"You again," she said, eyebrow raised.
"You came here," he said.
"Same thing," she replied.
He glanced at her bowl.
"Soup?"
Knowing that it's the only food that doesn't make her nauseous she nodded,"Yes."
"That's not food," he said, voice dramatic.
"It is."
"That's sad food," he muttered.
"You're judging my soup?"
"Yes," he said, nodding gravely.
He pointed at his tray, which looked like a mountain of food: three burgers, fries, and a chocolate shake.
"This is real food," he said.
"You're going to regret that later," Selena warned.
"Worth it," he said, stabbing a fry.
The guy at the next table leaned over.
"Luke, game tonight?"
"Assignments," he said, pointing at Selena.
The guy looked shocked.
"She's a bad influence," Luke whispered.
Selena looked up slowly.
"You came to my table," she said.
"Still counts," he said, grinning.
Luke was about to grab a fry when someone bumped into him. Burgers tumbled onto the floor. He groaned.
"See?" Selena said, deadpan. "Regret already."
"Temporary setback," he said, picking up the fries.
Later, in the library, Luke dropped into the chair across from her.
"You followed me," she said flatly.
"Yes," he admitted.
"That's weird."
"I need help."
"With?"
He pushed his notebook toward her.
"This."
"You skipped three steps," she said, peering over his messy handwriting.
"I did?"
"Yes."
He leaned back, exhaling.
"That explains a lot," he muttered.
A girl beside them whispered, "Some people are trying to study."
"We are studying," Luke whispered back.
Selena shook her head, smiling.
Weeks passed with the Same seat in class. Same cafeteria arguments. Same library chaos. Same hallway banter.
One morning, Luke barreled into class, hair sticking up in every direction, backpack swinging.
"Late again," Selena said.
"I tripped on the stairs," he said, holding up a finger.
"You're lying."
"…Maybe," he admitted, grinning sheepishly.
The professor spun around.
"Mr. Walker, perhaps you would like to solve the equation on the board?"
Luke froze, glancing at Selena. "…Help."
She slid her notebook toward him.
He copied furiously, mumbling numbers under his breath. A minute later, the professor nodded.
"Correct."
Luke whispered, "You just saved my life."
"Sit down," she said.
"Yes, ma'am," he chuckled.
Few Months later, with her stomach showing now she has to keep on wearing baggy to try conceal it.
In the cafeteria, Luke sat across from her.
"You've been eating soup for months," he said, squinting.
"Yes."
"And you've been tired."
She didn't answer.
"And you walk slower now."
"Luke."
"Yeah?"
"I'm pregnant."
Luke blinked. "…Oh."
"Well… that explains the soup," he said, rubbing his neck.
"That's your reaction?"
"What was I supposed to do? Fall off my chair?"
"You're ridiculous," she said.
"Probably," he grinned.
Time kept moving.
Classes. Assignments. Luke complaining. Selena correcting him. People around them laughing.
One afternoon, Luke leaned over.
"Quick question."
"What?"
"If I fail this exam… can I blame you?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"You didn't study."
"You're very unsupportive," he said, sighing.
Selena shook her head, smiling.
And for the first time in a long while, life felt normal again.