A TWIST OF FATE

CHAPTER 1

1= THE NEW ARRIVAL

As the crisp January air settled over the campus, I felt a mix of excitement and apprehension. At 27 years old, I was one of the older students in my cohort, but my height—short enough to often go unnoticed—didn't help me command any extra attention. I was determined to make this semester count, especially with fifteen new students joining our class. Among the newcomers, one stood out—though I couldn't have told you why at the time. He walked in with an easy confidence, his broad shoulders and relaxed demeanor drawing glances from the crowd. I watched as he exchanged quick smiles with a few classmates, the laughter of students filling the room like a warm blanket. But my heart sank; I was not in the mood for new friendships.

I had my reasons. After years of navigating the complexities of adult life, I was finally finding my footing in this academic environment. The last thing I needed was the distraction of someone new. I was determined to keep my distance, especially from this newcomer who seemed to effortlessly blend in. At first, I kept my thoughts to myself, observing him from a distance. He had a rugged charm, with tousled hair and a casual style that suggested he didn't care much about appearances, yet somehow pulled it off. My initial impression was a mix of intrigue and annoyance. Why did he have to be so effortlessly cool?

As the weeks passed, I noticed how he interacted with others. He was friendly, cracking jokes and making everyone feel at ease. But every time he approached my group, I felt an inexplicable tension. I braced myself against it, reinforcing the walls I had built around my heart. Then came the day when we were all introduced formally. The instructor called his name, and I finally learned it: Nex. The name rolled off her tongue with a certain rhythm that felt oddly fitting. In that moment, something shifted within me. Despite my best efforts to remain detached, I found myself curious about him.

As the semester wore on, the atmosphere in our small classroom began to change. Conversations flowed more freely, and it became harder to ignore Nex. He had a way of drawing people in, his laughter infectious and genuine. I couldn't help but notice the way his smile lit up his face, transforming it from handsome to something almost magnetic. But I was determined to keep my distance. My initial instincts about him lingered, whispering warnings in my mind. I reminded myself that I didn't know him; I only knew what I saw.

And what I saw made me uneasy. I was cautious, maintaining a cool demeanor whenever he was around. Little did I know, the next few months would unravel everything I thought I knew about myself—and about him. I pushed the thoughts of Nex aside, focusing on my studies and the friendships I had already established. But as the days turned into weeks, I could feel my resolve beginning to crack. There was something about him that made it hard to look away, hard to ignore. And so, the semester began, with new friendships blossoming and old ones deepening.