The rain started suddenly after the last school bell rang.

Students ran across the campus laughing and shouting, trying to protect their bags from getting soaked. Within minutes, the roads were shining with water, and the sky turned dark gray.

Near the bus stop stood Lusi, holding her notebook tightly over her head. She looked worried.

"oh no..."she whispered.

Her cycle tyre is flat..

one by one ,the buses left, and soon the campus became almost empty.

That was when someone stopped beside her.

"Need help ?"

Lusi turned around and saw a tall boy in a black hoodie, rain dripping from his hair. It was Sam _the unknown boy with handsome face.

"my cycle tyre is flat," she said awkwardly.

Sam smiled faintly."looks like it."

He bent down near cycle to check while rain poured heavily around them..After a minute He sighed.

Lusi looked helplessly at the empty road."Great. And I forget my umbrella too."

Without saying anything, sam removed his jacket hood and opened the umbrella he was carrying.

"Come on", he said."i'll walk you to your home.

It's okay," you will get drenched."

"I am already drenched."

She laughed softly for the first time that evening.

They started walking together under the small umbrella Thee rain was so heavy that their shoulders kept brushing accidentally. Cold wind blew across the road, and puddles splashed around their shoes.

For a while, neither of them spoke. When they see shop they gone for have gone midnight snacks. Sam bought one coffee.

"You didn't have to, "she said

"you looked freezing". Sam said

Lusi watched sam quietly helping the convience store part timer to move boxes away from leaking side of store.He did it naturally ,without trying to impress anyone.

And somehow in that small moment,her heart changed.

Not because he looked handsome in the rain.

Not because he acted like a hero.

But because he was kind when nobody was watching.

After the rain slowed down,he dropped her at street corner , she smiled and said " thank you for today ".

She run to her home. For lusi it became the day she would remember every time clouds filled the sky. And she spends summer holidays with thought of him only.

Next day, Lusi adjusted her school bag and walked slowly through crowded corridor of her school after summer holidays. Students were laughing, and running and the notice board was surrounded by excited students about their class section lists.

"Why are you walking like a turtle?" her best friend Rosy ask, pulling her hand.

"I am tired." Lusi said.

As they climbed the stairs, Rosy(her friend name) suddenly stopped.

"Hey look there,"she whispered dramatically.

Near the classroom window stood a tall boy in a neatly ironed uniform, speaking to a teacher. His hair moved slightly in the morning breeze, and he held a stack of books against his chest.

Lusi looked for only one second... But somehow forgot to blink after that.

"What is his name ? " Asked by Lusi. Her friend said that's Sam. Last year he got full marks in every subject".

Lusi stared again.

"Topper ?" Lusi repeated.

"Not just topper, " Rosy said. "Teachers love him. He wins quizzes, speeches, science fairs...everything". Lusi suddenly becomes conscious of her handwriting and unfinished holiday homework.

that's how their story started ....

At the beginning of school, everyone knew about Sam. He was the senior topper_ quiet, intelligent, and respected by both students and teachers.

Among the juniors was Lusi, an average student who struggled to keep up with studies sometimes. She wasn't popular or extraordinary, but She had a cheerful heart and admired people who worked hard.

Slowly, her admiration turned into a secret crush.

From then on, Every morning, Lusi reached college a little earlier than usual for only one reason to see Sam.

From the second floor corridor near her classroom, she could clearly see the college entrance. Almost every day, sam walked in wearing his ID card around his neck, books in one hand, and the same calm expression on his face.He never noticed how someone silently waited just to catch one glimpse of him.

Whenever he crossed the corridor, Lusi would instantly look away, pretending to talk to her friends. But the moment he passed, her eyes would follow him again from a distance.

Sometimes she saw him in the library, sitting near the window completely focused on studying. She would choose a table far away just , so she could secretly watch him while acting busy with her own notes. She never had a courage to talk with him directly, but she started studying because of him.

Her friends teased her whenever sam passed by, while Lusi pretended not to care, secretly hoping that one day he would notice her too.

Sam was popular everywhere and everyone knew he had many admirers

But among all those girls, there was a Lusi. Unlike others, she never tried to impress him or stand near him on purpose. She stayed quiet, watching him from distance with a small hidden smile.

Sometimes she felt jealous seeing girls laughing around him so comfortably while she couldn't even gather courage to say a simple "hello."

Among them was ruby, his close friend who was always beside him _ laughing, talking, and walking together after classes.

But for Lusi, seeing them together was enough to make her heart uneasy.

Even though they were" just friends", rumors spread everywhere in school that they looked perfect together.

The auditorium was filled with students after college entrance orientation program.Sam is giving speech for that occasion.

After hearing Sam speak about his dream college, something changed inside Lusi.

She started to prepare for same college.Her friends are mocked her, but she studied hard to get into that college.after college entrance result came she searched for college name, she got that dream college. She is so happy.

Lusi and their parents are packed the language to drop her at college.

After reaching college, she saw students are laughing, and running to join clubs .the evening sun painted the campus golden as students passed around them. Somewhere nearby, music from college event echoed through the air.

Lusi walked nervously into her college.

On the very first day of moving into the college hostel, the entire building was crowded with students carrying bags, talking loudly, and rushing through the corridors

Lusi carefully climbed the staircase with her luggage . At the same time sam was coming downstairs.Lusi noticed him for only one second before missing a step on the staircase..

Lusi adjusted the strap of her heavy bag and climbed the hostel stairs slowly. It was her first evening in college, and the building was full of noise—girls laughing, suitcases rolling, seniors giving directions.

She looked down carefully while climbing, trying not to trip.

Then suddenly, footsteps echoed from above.

She lifted her eyes for sam was walking down the staircase.

The same boy she had admired from afar for years.

For a moment, everything around her felt silent. Her heart started racing so fast that she forgot she was still standing in the middle of the stairs.

Sam casually held a few books in one hand, talking to his friend, unaware that Lusi was staring at him in complete shock.

As he came closer, Lusi quickly looked away, pretending to fix her luggage handle.

But fate had other plans.

Her suitcase slipped from her hand and tilted dangerously down the stairs.

Before it could fall, Sam caught it with one hand.

“You should be careful,” he said softly with a small smile.

Lusi looked up at him, speechless.

“First day?” he asked.

She nodded nervously.

“Hostel third floor?” he guessed.

Again, she nodded.

Sam lifted the suitcase easily. “Come on, I’ll help you.”

Lusi followed him upstairs quietly, hiding the smile that refused to leave her face.

Their first conversation had finally begun—on a hostel staircase she would never forget.

When she opened Room 212, three girls were already there.

The first girl quickly stood up with excitement.

“I’m Lusi from Beijing!” she said, adjusting her glasses. “I talk a lot, so don’t get irritated.”

Lusi laughed softly. “I’m Lusi.”

Another girl sitting on the bed waved while eating chips.

“I’m Reet. I only become friends with people who share snacks.”

“Then we’ll definitely be friends,” Lusi replied.

Near the window, one girl was quietly arranging books on her shelf. She looked calm and mature.

“I’m Neel ,” she said with a small smile. “If you need notes or help, ask me.”

Within minutes, the awkward silence disappeared.

Lusi started asking everyone about their school life, Noel played music on her phone, and reet helped Lusi arrange her luggage.

Soon the room felt warm and comfortable instead of unfamiliar.

At night, the four girls sat together on the floor sharing snacks and stories.

“Who do you think is the most handsome boy in college?” Noel suddenly asked dramatically.

Lusi immediately remembered Sam — the senior she had secretly admired since school days — but she stayed quiet and smiled to herself.

That night, for the first time, the hostel room didn’t feel strange anymore.

It felt like the beginning of friendships, memories, and a completely new life.

The first class of the semester was already noisy. Students whispered nervously, some trying to make new friends while others searched for empty seats.

Lusi sat near the window, adjusting her notebook and secretly looking around for Sam, the senior she had admired for years.

The classroom door suddenly opened.

Three seniors walked inside confidently, wearing college club badges. The entire class became silent for a moment.

Among them was Sam.

Lusi’s heart skipped instantly.

“Good morning, freshers,” one senior said with a smile.

“We’re here to introduce the college clubs.

Trust me, college becomes much more fun when you join one.”

Students slowly relaxed as the seniors began talking about dance, music, photography, debate, coding, and sports clubs.

Then Sam stepped forward.

“Our college isn’t only about marks,” he said calmly.

“Clubs help you find people who share your passion. Some of the best memories start there.”

Lusi couldn’t stop listening. Even the way he spoke felt inspiring to her.

A boy from the back asked jokingly, “Sir, which club has the least work?”

The whole class burst into laughter.

Sam smiled slightly. “There’s no club without work. But if you enjoy it, it never feels difficult.”

After the announcement, the seniors began handing out registration forms.

Sam walked between the rows, giving forms to everyone.

When he reached Lusi’s desk, she nervously looked up.

For the first time in years, they were standing face-to-face.

“Which club are you thinking of joining?” Sam asked casually.

Lusi froze for a second before softly replying, “Maybe… literature club.”

“That’s a good choice,” he said with a small smile before moving ahead.

Lusi held the form tightly, unable to stop smiling after that tiny conversation.