Echoes of a Silent Beat

Chapter 3: The Lexie Effect

One afternoon, Mina and I went on another secret mission to find Lexie around the campus. Our strategy was simple: stroll through the common areas and hope for a lucky encounter. I was determined to catch even a fleeting glimpse of her, but my nerves were at an all-time high.

As we made our way to the canteen, chatting and keeping an eye out for any sign of Lexie, my heart skipped a beat when I spotted her. Lexie was at the counter, buying something. Her presence lit up the area, and I couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement. I nudged Mina, whispering urgently, "There she is! That's Lexie!"

She stood out effortlessly, even in the crowd of students lining up at the counter. Her school uniform was partially hidden beneath a blue oversized sweater, the sleeves slightly rolled up to her elbows. Her dark hair was cut short, just above her shoulders, giving her a cool and effortlessly chic look. The way her hair framed her face added to her distinctive style—bold yet understated. The glasses gave her an intellectual vibe, enhancing her deep brown eyes that seemed to sparkle behind the lenses. I couldn't help but notice how she pushed them up slightly with her index finger as she glanced at the cashier. 

Mina nudged me back, snapping me out of my daze. "Oh wow! Should we go say hi?"

I shook my head, my nerves getting the best of me. "No way, I don't have the courage to approach her. Let's just walk by and try not to draw attention."

We moved swiftly, trying to stay inconspicuous as we approached the canteen. I focused on keeping my gaze forward, trying to act casual despite the whirlwind of thoughts in my head. The moment I saw Lexie's back, I was hit with a rush of memories—every message I had sent her, every awkward comment, and every bit of my self-consciousness replayed in my mind.

The familiar lyrics of her song, the goofy comments I had made, and the playful banter from our social media exchanges all seemed to echo in my head. I could almost see myself blushing and fumbling with words. The realization of how I must have come across—awkward and perhaps a bit over-eager—made my cheeks flush with embarrassment.

We passed by Lexie's table, my heart pounding in my chest. I could feel Mina's curiosity as she glanced at me, probably wondering why I was so flustered. I wanted to disappear into the floor, wishing I could erase the moments of awkwardness from my memory.

After our fleeting glimpse of Lexie at the canteen, I found myself feeling a mix of defeat and frustration. The nervousness and embarrassment from our brief encounter made me question whether I should just stick to interacting with her through messages. It seemed so much easier to express myself behind a screen, where I felt braver and more in control.

That night, I decided to check Instagram to distract myself from the day's earlier mishaps. To my surprise, Lexie had posted a new story that was only visible to her "close friends"—a green circle around her profile picture. I felt a rush of excitement at the thought that I was included in this special circle.

As soon as I tapped on the story, my curiosity was piqued. Lexie's story revealed her student ID with the caption, "Finally a tourism student!" My heart skipped a beat. I hadn't known she was shifting courses, and it took me by surprise.

Without hesitation, I sent her a message. "Wow, I thought you were a music student! Congrats on your shift to tourism!"

Lexie responded almost immediately, her tone light and friendly. She shared how she had initially pursued music but decided to shift to tourism because of her passion for travel and exploration. As she explained her journey, I felt a deeper connection forming. The more we talked, the more I appreciated her openness and willingness to share her experiences.