Crossing Paths

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 1: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐆𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞

Vegas breathed in the familiar scent of oil and metal as he adjusted the gears of a machine in the workshop. It was another typical afternoon at Thammasat University, where he often spent his days surrounded by blueprints, tools, and half-finished projects. His workspace was a mess of technical drawings and notes, but it was organized chaos—a system only he could understand. The sounds of machinery clattering and the faint hum of a nearby drill filled the air, comforting in their regularity. This was his world, one of precision and logic, where every problem had a solution and every piece fit neatly into place.

He wiped the sweat from his brow and leaned back, examining his work. The mechanism he was building for his engineering project was finally coming together. He'd spent countless hours perfecting the design, ensuring every gear and bolt was precisely where it needed to be. But even though the project was nearly complete, something felt off. Maybe it was the constant pressure of looming deadlines, or the gnawing feeling that he was missing something in his design. Either way, he knew he needed a break before his brain turned to mush.

He glanced at the clock—2:30 PM. The cafeteria would be quiet now, the lunchtime rush long gone. Vegas decided that a walk and an iced coffee would clear his head. He grabbed his bag, stuffed it with a few essentials, and headed out into the warm afternoon.

The sun was high, casting a golden light over the campus. Thammasat University, with its blend of historic buildings and modern architecture, buzzed with life. Students lounged on the grass, some engaged in animated conversations, others lost in their textbooks. Vegas felt a pang of envy for their seemingly carefree existence. He couldn't remember the last time he'd just sat outside and enjoyed the day without thinking about his next assignment.

As he walked across the quad, his mind wandered back to his project. There was something about the gear alignment that still bothered him. Maybe if he adjusted the tension in the springs—

His thoughts were interrupted when he noticed a group of students gathered near the Dome Building. It was a popular spot on campus, not just because of its historical significance but also because of its picturesque backdrop. Vegas had seen countless students take photos there, but this group seemed different. They weren't just snapping selfies or posing for a quick shot. They were filming something—a project, perhaps.

Curiosity piqued, Vegas slowed his pace, his eyes scanning the scene. Most of the students were milling around, adjusting equipment or chatting quietly, but one person stood out. A tall, lean figure with tousled brown hair that caught the sunlight just right, making it almost glow. The guy was animated, moving with purpose as he gave instructions to the others, his voice clear and confident. Vegas couldn't quite make out what he was saying, but the way he commanded attention was mesmerizing.

Vegas found himself drawn to the scene, his feet moving almost of their own accord until he was close enough to hear snippets of the conversation.

"Let's get a wide shot first," the guy was saying, his tone authoritative but not harsh. "We need to capture the Dome in all its glory before we move in for the close-ups. Remember, this isn't just about the building. It's about what it represents—our history, our spirit."

Vegas couldn't help but be impressed. The guy clearly knew what he was doing. His movements were fluid, almost artistic, as he positioned the camera crew and adjusted the angle of the shot. There was an energy about him, a passion that was infectious. Vegas had seen it before in some of his engineering friends when they talked about their projects, but this was different. This was something...more.

He watched as the guy, whom Vegas would later learn was named Pete, stepped back to review the shot. His brow furrowed in concentration, and he chewed on his lower lip, a habit Vegas found strangely endearing. Pete's intensity was palpable, his focus unbreakable as he made a few adjustments to the camera settings.