Chapter 2

The following day was a Monday. Despite not having her usual eight-hour sleep, Serene got up from bed and prepared herself for school. Opting for her usual jeans and white-collared shirt, paired with clean white sneakers, she went on her way to the University. With her hair pulled up in a neat ponytail, and her face kept bare save for her lip balm, she looked energetic and younger than her actual age.

Today, Serene felt it was sunnier than usual. Everything seemed bright. She did not complain when she got stuck in traffic on her way to the University. The crowded bus did not make her feel inconvenienced. She squeezed herself onto the tightly packed bus, feeling like a sardine. There was no available seat for her anymore. Left with no choice, she stood along the isle and crushed between other passengers.

As soon as she entered the university’s gate, her best friend Mary excitedly hugged her. Mary is a dazzling ball of energy. 

“So, how was the fashion show last night?” she asked as they walked arm in arm to their class. 

“It’s fun, but tiring. I did not stay long for the after party. As usual, I went into Cinderella mode.” 

“Did you meet anyone interesting?” Mary winked at her, her eyes teasing her. Serene cannot hide the smile on her face as she recalled Bryan and their barely a minute moment replayed in her mind frame by frame and in slow motion.

“I take it as you met someone interesting... so spill it!” Mary almost shrieked in excitement. Serene told her about the incident but skipped Bryan’s name on purpose. Knowing Mary, if she knew his name, she would tease her the entire day without mercy or she’d be in detective mode and stalk the “prey”. Both of which she did not want her to do. She just wanted to cherish these details for as long as she could for now. 

“By the way, let’s have lunch together later. I have a friend that I like you to meet.”

“OK.”

They separated to go on to their respective classes. Serene took Economics while Mary took Accountancy. She had known Mary Lewis for what felt like her entire life. They lived next to each other and have been friends since they were children. To Serene, Mary was like a sister she never had. Despite being the same age, Mary acted like her protector, fending off her bullies, or anyone who dared hurt her.

She was like a family since both their parents were also good friends. Serene would often spend sleepovers in each other’s place. She can hide a secret from her parents, but never to Mary.

Since their University was a plane ride away, having Mary in the same city made living away from her family bearable. She was simply a godsend. 

Lunch time finally came. They went to the small café at the back of the university. Few students go here because it’s pricey. Mary stopped by the door and surveyed the whole cafe. When she found what she was looking for, she pulled Serene in towards the table by the window. 

Lo-and-behold, it turned out that the friend that Mary would like to introduce to her was none other than Bryan. Seeing him calmly sitting as he played with his cellphone, gave an explosion of emotion inside her. 

Serene stood rooted to where she was standing and was just looking at him. She cannot believe what was going on. The person she had a sweet dream about was right now is right in front of her. 

Before Mary could utter a word to introduce them to each other, he suddenly peeled his attention, shifted from his cellphone to the two of them. 

“So, we meet again” he said, flashing his dazzling set of pearly whites.