Episode 2: Something about him. Sandra's POV

*EPISODE 2 – “Something About Him”*

*Sandra’s POV*

Lunch was louder than I remembered. The cafeteria buzzed with excitement, trays clattered, and someone’s playlist was playing off-key in the background. But none of it mattered—because I was hyper-aware of one thing.

Alex.

Sitting right across from me.

Joan, naturally, had claimed the center of the table, launching into her usual storytelling—this time about how she accidentally dyed her eyebrows orange over summer break. Mark was cracking up beside her, his deep laugh booming through the air, while Adel had her chin propped on one hand, unimpressed and scrolling through her phone.

And Alex? He was just there.

Leaning back casually, hoodie sleeves pushed up, eyes occasionally flicking to me.

I wasn’t looking at him. *Not directly*, anyway.

Okay, maybe once. Maybe twice.

“You’re quiet,” Adel said suddenly, peering at me over her phone. “Jet lag from the two-hour flight?”

I laughed. “No, just adjusting.”

“She’s fine,” Joan answered for me, nudging my shoulder. “She just needs time to warm up.”

“I’m warm,” I replied quickly—too quickly.

Alex smirked. He *definitely* heard that.

I sipped my juice to hide the heat creeping up my neck.The conversation drifted to classes, prom rumors, and which teacher was most likely to break down before finals. Everyone had opinions. But mine? I was just busy trying to figure out what exactly was going on inside me.

Because every time Alex laughed, my chest did a stupid fluttery thing.

Because every time he looked my way, my stomach flipped.

Because, according to Joan, he was her boyfriend.

And that fact? It made this whole thing feel… wrong.

“You’re in the science department, right?” Alex asked suddenly, pulling me out of my spiraling thoughts.

“Yeah,” I replied, blinking. “Why?”

“I saw your name on the Physics project list. We’re in the same group.”

Great. Just great.

“Oh,” I said. “Cool.”

Joan clapped excitedly. “Ooooh! Group partners! Now you’ll finally see how annoyingly smart she is. I swear she finished a whole semester’s worth of work before we even unpacked her bags.”

“Impressive,” Alex said, his gaze never leaving mine.

Joan laughed, reaching for his drink like she owned it—and well, technically, she did. “Please. She’s been a nerd since birth.”

Mark leaned toward Adel. “I give it two weeks before she starts correcting the teachers.”

“Two days,” Adel muttered without looking up.

Everyone laughed, and I did too. But it felt delayed, forced.Because I couldn’t stop noticing things I shouldn’t.

Like how Alex looked better when he laughed.

Like how Joan leaned into him, claiming him—subtly, but firmly.

Like how I didn’t want to feel what I was feeling.

When the bell rang, Joan groaned dramatically. “Ugh. Art. I didn’t even bring my sketchpad.”

She kissed Alex on the cheek. “See you after class?”

He nodded, and she left with Adel, tossing a wink at me as she passed.

Mark followed with a lazy salute. “Try not to break the science lab on your first day.”