FELICITY

Chapter 1: The First Glimpse

Paula Ferrer felt a mix of excitement and nervousness as she walked through the grand gates of Saint Lucia University.

The campus was buzzing with energy, students milling about, carrying stacks of books and engaging in animated conversations. Today was the first day of college, a new chapter in her life.

Paula’s best friend, Mia, walked beside her, chatting excitedly about their schedule.

Mia had been Paula’s confidante since middle school, always there with a supportive word or a shared laugh.

"I can’t believe we’re finally here! College! This is going to be epic!" Mia said, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.

Paula smiled, her nerves easing slightly. "I know, right? I just hope I can find my classes without getting lost."

As they made their way to the main building, Paula’s phone buzzed with a text from her older brother, Alex.

*Good luck today, sis! You’re going to crush it!*

Paula replied with a quick thanks and put her phone away. She appreciated Alex's encouragement; he had always been her biggest supporter.

Entering the main hall, they were greeted by the sight of students gathered around bulletin boards, checking their class schedules.

Paula spotted her name on the list for Introduction to Literature, her first class of the day.

She and Mia shared a quick hug before heading to their respective classes.

Walking into the classroom, Paula scanned the room for a familiar face.

She spotted a few students she had seen during orientation but didn't know anyone well yet.

She chose a seat near the window, pulling out her notebook and pen.

The room filled up quickly, and just as the bell rang, a tall, dark-haired guy walked in, looking slightly disheveled.

He scanned the room for an empty seat and, to Paula’s surprise, sat down next to her. He flashed a quick smile, and she couldn’t help but notice his deep brown eyes.

"Hi, I’m Timothy," he said, extending his hand.

"Paula," she replied, shaking his hand. "Nice to meet you."

Their conversation was cut short by the arrival of their professor, Dr. Jenkins, a middle-aged woman with a kind face and an air of authority. She introduced herself and began outlining the course.

Paula tried to focus on the lecture, but she couldn’t help stealing glances at Timothy.

There was something intriguing about him. During the break, Timothy turned to her.

"So, what do you think of the class so far?" he asked.

"It seems interesting. I’m really into literature," Paula replied.

"Me too. I’m actually thinking about majoring in English," Timothy said.

They continued chatting about their interests, and Paula found herself relaxing more with each passing minute.

Timothy had a way of making her feel at ease, his enthusiasm for literature matching her own.

As the class ended, Timothy gathered his things. "Hey, do you want to grab a coffee or something? I’d love to continue our conversation."

Paula hesitated for a moment but then nodded. "Sure, that sounds great."

They walked to the campus café, talking about their favorite books and authors. Paula felt a connection with Timothy that she hadn’t expected, and by the time they finished their coffee, she realized she was genuinely looking forward to seeing him again.

The rest of the day flew by. Paula met up with Mia for lunch, recounting her morning and her meeting with Timothy.

"He sounds interesting," Mia said, winking. "Maybe college will be more exciting than we thought."

Paula laughed, feeling a sense of anticipation for what was to come. She knew this was just the beginning, and she couldn’t wait to see where this new chapter of her life would take her.

That evening, as she settled into her dorm room, Paula thought about the day.

College was off to a promising start. She had met new people, attended her first classes, and made a connection with someone who might just become a significant part of her life.

With a smile, she texted Alex to let him know her day went well and then called her parents to share her excitement.

As she drifted off to sleep, her thoughts were filled with the possibilities that lay ahead, especially with Timothy Corpuz, the boy with the deep brown eyes who had made her first day unforgettable.