When Paths Crossed

Everyone got ready, had breakfast, and headed toward the main building blocks. The air buzzed with excitement — it was their first official day of college life.

Cassie glanced at the board and sighed. “Looks like my block is different from yours,” she said, forcing a smile. “Never mind, let’s meet at lunch, byee!”

Alya, Ashera, and Zubiya waved. “Byee!”

Zubiya pouted playfully. “I’ll miss you.”

Cassie laughed. “Me too, bbg 😭”

Everyone then approached the reception desk to submit their forms — when suddenly—

Zubiya gasped. “Oh no!”

Ashera turned to her immediately. “What happened?”

Zubiya bit her lip nervously. “Looks like I forgot the form in the dorm… 😅”

Ashera crossed her arms. “Oh, Zubi! I reminded you like three times!”

“Sorry…” Zubiya said, her voice small. 😞

Alya chuckled. “It’s okay, we still have time to get it back and return before they start collecting.”

Zubiya nodded quickly. “I’ll leave right away.”

Ashera sighed. “Lemme come with you.”

Zubiya shook her head. “I can go myself, no worries.”

Ashera raised an eyebrow. “We’ve been besties since childhood, and there hasn’t been a single time you didn’t mess something up.”

Alya laughed. “Okay, you two go. I’ll save seats for you both.”

Ashera smiled. “Thanks! We’ll be back soon.”

They hurried back to the dormitory, found the form lying on the desk, and started rushing back to the main building. But just as they crossed the street—

A race bike came speeding toward them, screeching to a stop just inches from Zubiya.

Zubiya jumped back, heart pounding. “OMG!!! Hey, are you crazy?! You were about to hit me!”

The biker slowly removed his helmet — revealing a sharp, handsome face with dark eyes that gave off a dangerous, mysterious vibe.

Unknown Guy 1: “I was about to, but I didn’t. You new here? This isn’t a place to walk around, girlie. Go sit at home.”

Ashera whispered urgently, “Zubi, calm down!”

📝 Note: What he didn’t know was that Zubiya wasn’t just any ‘girlie’ — she was a real baddie with zero tolerance for arrogance.

Fuming, Zubiya clenched her fist and landed a quick punch right on his face.

Zubiya: “Who’s a girlie now?”

Ashera gasped. “Zubi!!! Apologize now!”

Zubiya snapped, “No, I won’t! Let’s go — we’re already getting late.”

She stepped closer to the biker and muttered coldly, “You better not mess with me again.”

Before he could respond, Ashera grabbed her arm and pulled her away.

Ashera hissed, “You are mad — literally! How could you just punch someone?! Wait until your parents hear about this!”

Zubiya gave her a pleading look. “Please no, Ash 😭 I’m sorry!”

Ashera sighed, shaking her head. “We’ll talk about this after class.”

They reached the reception, submitted the form, and walked down the hallway. Just as Ashera was about to enter the classroom, her phone buzzed with an unknown call.

She frowned, stepped aside, and answered. “Hello?”

No response. Just silence.

She frowned deeper. “No answer, huh?” she muttered, and hung up.

As she turned around to head inside, she bumped straight into someone — papers and books scattering across the floor.

She bent down to pick them up, but the guy didn’t even move to help.

(In her mind): “What a strange guy… couldn’t even bother to lend a hand.”

The guy, tall and sharp-featured, froze for a few seconds — his expression unreadable, like something just shifted inside him. Then, snapping out of it, he said coldly, “Watch where you’re going.”

And just like that, he walked away.

Ashera muttered under her breath, “Sorry… for you being rude.”

Alya popped her head out of the classroom door. “Hey! Get in, the class is about to start!”

Ashera sighed. “Yeah, coming.”

Later, as the lecture ended, Ashera couldn’t shake the weird feeling from her chest — that mysterious call, that strange guy’s stare… and the fact that her first day was only just beginning.

After the class the students were asked to meet at the auditorium where the principal decided restrict rules and regulations on them.

to be continued....

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