Destiny's Lectures

Flashback: 2023California. 3:45 a.m. A modest studio apartment in Pasadena. The world outside was asleep—bathed in quiet, broken only by the occasional passing car and the steady tick of the ceiling fan above. The room was dim, soaked in a soft, amber hue from a streetlamp just beyond the window.Alexis blinked awake, her body stirring against the cool sheets of a king-sized bed. Her breathing was shallow, heart unsettled by a sharp, mechanical noise slicing through the silence.Beep. Beep. Beep.Not hers.She rolled toward the edge of the bed and saw the faint light of a screen pulsing from beneath a rumpled gray T-shirt on the floor. The sound kept going—persistent, urgent.The phone wasn't hers. It was his.Steve.Lying beside her, Steve Adams breathed steadily, still wrapped in sleep. His arm was sprawled across the bed, close to where her waist had been, his face turned toward her on the pillow. His sandy blonde hair was tousled, his mouth slightly parted. He looked harmless. F

The morning sun cast a warm glow over Auburn University's campus, illuminating its sprawling grounds where students hurried along pathways lined with blooming dogwoods and towering oaks. At the heart of the university stood the main administrative building—an imposing structure with a striking resemblance to the iconic British Parliament.Yet, where the Parliament's historic Gothic spires and ornate detailing spoke of centuries past, Auburn's counterpart was a confident reimagination. Sleek glass panels reflected the sky alongside limestone pillars, and a gracefully curved façade blended traditional architectural lines with contemporary minimalism. Intricate arches framed the entrances, but above them, digital banners displayed the day's announcements in vibrant color, seamlessly merging past and present.Clusters of students gathered around the wide plaza at the front, where interactive digital boards rose like modern sentinels. These high-resolution touchscreens displayed dynamic, 3

One Week Later – Auburn University Main GateThe sun was already warm against Alexis' skin as she stepped past the ornate iron gates of Auburn University. Clad in her white inner blouse, dark grey blazer and black pencil skirt, her heels clacked rhythmically on the cobblestone path, the sound almost drowned out by the gentle hum of student chatter and the faint melody of a saxophone being played somewhere in the distance.She gasped. No amount of research had prepared her for the scale of the place.From her vantage point, Auburn looked like the architectural lovechild of the British Parliament and a Silicon Valley think tank—a breathtaking sprawl of regal stonework blended with smart glass walls, towering digital banners, solar-paneled rooftops, and green spaces dotted with sculptures and kinetic art.Her gaze followed a large glass building ahead that curved into a horseshoe shape. Digital kiosks blinked to life as students walked by, and a giant interactive LED board scrolled throu

After the whirlwind of her first day’s induction at Auburn University, Alexis finally stepped into her new one-bedroom flat—a small sanctuary that came bundled with her contract. The moment she closed the door behind her, a wave of relief washed over her. The space was surprisingly generous, offering more room than she had dared expect, a welcome contrast to the cramped, temporary accommodations she had endured before.Sunlight streamed gently through the expansive floor-to-ceiling windows, draping the room in a warm, natural glow that softened the clean lines of the modern interior. The living area was open and inviting, with pale wooden floors that stretched beneath a simple but elegant sofa in muted tones, positioned thoughtfully to face a minimalist media console. A couple of green plants—fresh and lively—sat on the windowsill, their leaves brushing the soft curtains that fluttered faintly with the breeze.To one side, a sleek kitchenette gleamed with polished white countertops, c