Chapter Two: Unexpected

As the sun rose, casting a warm glow through the windows, Gaby emerged from her slumber and approached the staircase. Suddenly, a faint sound caught her attention, originating from the lower level of the house. In a swift motion, her gaze darted towards the staircase, where many individuals came into view.

‘Downstairs is crowded,' Gaby thought.

“Oh, you’re awake! I was planning on waking you up. Let’s have breakfast,” Ashlee said.

“Why are there so many people around here?” Gaby asks.

“It’s just us; no one else is around. Hey, do you remember Matt from last night?” Ashlee mentioned, “They were having breakfast with us.”

She was the first to follow Ashlee. Gaby clutched her purse tightly, making sure not to let it slip from her grasp. The weight of her books pressed against her side reminded her of the knowledge she carried with her. As the group gathered around the table, they marveled at its size. The enormous eating table stood proudly in the center of the room, ready to serve them all.

As Gaby walked into the room, she was greeted with a warm and friendly "Hello, Gaby!” Matt and Riki exchanged words. As she entered the room, their faces broke into broad grins, their eyes twinkling mischievously.

A smile graced Gaby’s lips. “Good morning, guys!”

“I love your smile, seriously! Wow, it’s w,” Matt exclaimed.

With a swift motion, Riki snatched Matt’s dish and promptly transferred its contents onto his plate. “Why did you grab it?” With a furrowed brow, Matt asked.

Riki admitted, “In my assumption that you had already satisfied your hunger, I proceeded to consume it without hesitation.”

In a fit of frustration, Matt’s words escaped his lips. “You are crazy,” he exclaimed, directing his comment towards Riki.

Riki wasn’t bothered by it. Instead, he just kept on laughing.

“Hey, Dude! Let’s eat!” Matt gazed at the couch, his eyes fixated on its newly bought cushions.

As Gaby’s gaze fell upon the man reclining on the sofa, a warm smile directed solely at her graced his lips. A warm smile graces his face as he greets him, “Hello!”

As he approached Gaby, a sense of unfamiliarity washed over her. She couldn’t place where she had seen him before if she had seen him at all. A flicker of recognition danced in her mind as she gazed at him. Something about his face seemed familiar, yet she struggled to pinpoint the connection. Memories floated just out of reach, teasing her with their elusive nature.

“Hey, you’re staring at Dylan, Gaby!” Sasha said. “Isn’t he just so handsome?”

Gaby looked at Sasha, then back to the man before her. She gasped, “D-Dylan?”

“Yup! The only!” A smile graced Dylan’s face.

“Dylan?” Gaby’s eyes widen in disbelief.

“It’s okay if you can’t recognize me!” With a mischievous smile, Dylan looked at her. “Hey Gab, it’s been a while!”

“Oh, my...” escaped from her lips. Gab’s arms wrapped tightly around Dylan, pulling him into a warm embrace.

Stunned, the entire group stood in silence. They stood there, quietly watching as the two figures came together in a warm embrace.

“Do you know each other?” said Sasha.

Gaby released her grip on Dylan. A tear gently slid down her cheek, and she delicately brushed it away. She nodded at Sasha’s question.

“Really?! How?” Belle asked.

“He’s my old friend,” said Gaby.

“Ah, childhood friend!” Matt and Riki said it together.

“Are you genuinely pursuing your studies here at the university?” Dylan asked. He still can’t believe that news.

Dylan led Gaby into the kitchen, guiding her to sit beside him. A meal was prepared for her.

“Yes,” Gaby replied. With a triumphant smile, she said, “I managed to convince my parents to do it.” Gaby’s voice echoed through the room as she spoke.

Dylan expressed his surprise, remarking, “I must admit, I never anticipated that we would find ourselves as schoolmates, especially after such a considerable amount of time has passed.” Dylan found himself captivated by the alluring woman seated beside him. Dylan’s heart swelled with nostalgia as he gazed into the eyes of his long-lost friend. It had been an eternity since their paths had crossed, and the weight of time hung heavy in the air. “It’s been so long since we last saw each other, Gab!” he exclaimed, his voice filled with joy and longing. Dylan’s voice rang out with excitement. He watched her closely, his eyes scanning her face for any trace of familiarity. “You changed a lot,” he remarked, his voice tinged with surprise and curiosity.

“Wow, you’ve changed a lot too!” Gaby exclaimed in surprise, “I never even realized it was you!”

A smile graced Dylan’s face. “There is something in you that never seems to change.” A gentle smile formed on his face as the words escaped his lips. “You’re still beautiful, Gab,” he whispered.

Gaby’s face lit up with a radiant smile as her gaze fell on Dylan. Her lips curled upward, forming a gentle smile as her eyes met his.

A momentary pause followed as her gaze shifted downward, drawn to the delectable spread before her. With a deep breath, Gaby closed her eyes and clasped her hands tightly. Dylan’s gaze fixed on Gaby, his eyes drawn to her presence. However, as soon as she noticed his intense stare, she hastily averted his gaze, attempting to conceal his interest. Gaby’s praying.

Unbeknownst to Dylan, Riki was secretly watching both him and Gaby. A small chuckle escaped from his lips. “Oh boy, she’s going to melt soon. Hey, dude! You’ve been staring at her for a while,” Riki said.

All eyes were fixed on Dylan, and his gaze locked onto Gaby again. Caught on the spot, he found himself in an awkward situation.

The females remained silent, their attention captured by Dylan’s intense gaze on Gaby.

*******

Gaby and Dylan cautiously crossed the street amid busy traffic. The Student Village was independent of the active university it served. Despite the short distance, several students drove instead of walking. As they started university, their eyes met briefly. The women teased and welcomed Dylan as he arrived. The guys met Gaby while collecting. Her presence was like a superstar; they had never imagined meeting. A warm smile covers her face.

“My goodness, Dylan, I love you!”

“Dylan, will you please be mine?”

“Wow, she’s a beautiful one! Is that Dylan’s girlfriend?"

“They look great together! I’ve shuddered!"

“Dylan, love me. I’m breaking up with my boyfriend!”

Gaby laughed at the students’ loud yells. As if used to it, Dylan looked unmoved. Gaby, however, had never experienced anything like that.

“Wow, Dylan, you’re seriously so famous!” Gaby exclaimed.

Dylan was facing her. “Oh, you too? I think many couples might break up today," he chuckled.

Gaby couldn’t help but let out a playful giggle. “I didn’t want them to.”

Dylan gently guided her to her room door, ensuring her safety. He said goodbye and left her to sleep at the entrance of their building. Gaby’s classmate asked her about Dylan after he left. They wondered whether she was dating Dylan or had a boyfriend. Some want to meet and talk to her, giving her love letters and presents. Several men asked her out.

After a while, their professor showed up.

************

“Doesn’t Gaby have a ton of fans? I heard most couples broke up after seeing her.” Matt chuckled.

“Oh yeah, she’s Dylan’s childhood friend. Do you think Dylan has feelings for Gaby? Was he looking at her earlier, right?” Riki said.

“Oh man, I like Gaby! She’s different from any other girl,” said Matt.

“Me too! But let’s give Dylan a loving life, though," said Riki. “It’s the first time he’s looked at a girl seriously.”

Riki and Matt found themselves in the busy cafeteria amid the restless chatter of their fellow students. After the early conclusion of class, the anticipated attendees were the girls Clark, Dylan, and Gaby. In no time at all, three charming young girls made their appearance.

“Hey there, heartthrobs!” Sasha greeted them.

“Hey, did your classes end early too?” Riki asked.

Belle replied, “Professor Villegas never showed up, so the class ended early.”

“You as well?” Ashlee asked Matt and Riki.

“My professor left too. I think he enjoyed the long weekend," said Riki.

“He simply checked the attendance and left. He does not seem in the mood to teach," said Matt.

“Okay! Hopefully, every teacher is like them," said Belle, laughing

Academic sweethearts and heartthrobs exist. Charm and intelligence allow these people to form deep bonds. These couples are noted for their easy compatibility and relationship success. They had been good friends with their parents since high school. In this nation, wealthy families have heirs.

“Why hasn’t Gaby shown up yet?” said Matt.

“Oh, come on! Do engineering students already have classes?” Belle said. “Dylan isn’t here either.”

They saw Clark, a heartthrob, approaching the screaming ladies. His posture suggested he hadn’t heard anything.

“What’s with the grumpy face, Clark?” With a mischievous glint in his eye, Matt let out a playful chuckle, his lips curling into a sly smile.

Matt’s statements sparked laughter around the room. Taking his seat next to Riki, Clark raised his eyebrows in astonishment.

“You seemed happy. What’s going on?” said Clark.

“You? Why do you seem frustrated?” asked Sasha.

“I got upset with my professor earlier,” said Clark.

“Why?” all of them asked.

“He is ugly!” replied Clark.

They laughed, filling the air with excitement. Clark demonstrates such an attribute with his personality. He mocks his looks as “ugly,” as well as his temperament and behavior. People had become used to him. He was sharp-witted and cantankerous but always serious. A bunch of lovely ladies approached him with a curious gaze. Despite their appeal, he remained earnest and steadfast. He chastises them and refuses to allow their shenanigans.

“Where’s Dylan?” Clark asked.

“Oh, he hasn’t arrived yet,” Riki replied.

The women outside and inside the cafeteria won’t stop screaming. Clark let out a little chuckle. “There goes your playboy!”

“Luh, the non-playboy has spoken!” Ashlee commented.

Clark’s response was a complete disregard for her presence. He lounges on the monobloc chair, adopting a relaxed posture as he sits sideways. His arms are folded, and his head rests gently against the backrest.

“She’s a real beauty!”

“Is she an artist or a supermodel?”

“Perhaps a beauty queen!”

“I think Dylan’s hanging out with her.”

“Is she Dylan’s girlfriend?”

Clark shook his head. It seems there’s a new girl in love with Dylan. He gets used to it.

“Hello, Gaby!” A cheerful hello from Matt and Riki.

“Hello, Gaby!” Ashlee, Belle, and Sasha said hello.

Dylan sat beside Clark as he barely struck him. “What has gotten into you?” Dylan asked.

“Oh, he has a nasty temper for his ugly professor!” Riki said.

Everyone laughed except Gaby. She no longer gets Riki’s joke. “How’s the class, Gaby?” Sasha asked Gaby.

“Great,” said Gaby. “I know what you’re talking about when you expect attention.” She giggled.

“I told you, how many invitations did you receive?” Sasha asked.

Gaby pondered momentarily before responding, “Oh, God, I suppose there must be more than a hundred.”

“Whoa, you’re a record holder for girls, Gaby! Only Clark in the Heartthrobs gets that many invitations from his first day here.” Belle said it with disbelief.

“Oh, for real?” Gaby said. She just glanced at a guy seated in front of her.

“I’m going to get some food. Gaby, what can I get you?” Dylan asked.

“You’re sharp, Dylan. You asked her first?” Sasha said.

Dylan smiled as he spoke, “Well...”

“That’s for you to decide, except for the beef,” Gaby said, and she smiled at him.

Dylan smiled. “You’re still a beef hater, aren’t you?”

“Please take mine with you, Dylan,” said Clark.

“Okay, what do you want?” Dylan asked, looking at him.

“Stew when possible,” said Clark.

“Alright! Hey, Matt, come with me,” asks Dylan.

Matt got up and joined Dylan. Clark was about to close his eyes again, but then he noticed the lady sitting across from him at the table. She was chatting with Ashlee, casually glancing at him occasionally.

In the woman’s lateral view, she has a magnificent nose curved along with the shape of her face. ‘She is beautiful!' Clark thought.

“Hey, who are you?” Clark asked, frowning.