Leila Wilson never imagined that a single night at a frat party would change her life forever. Quiet, reserved, and more comfortable with a book than in the chaotic swirl of party life, she's never been the type to take risks-until she meets Jesci K...
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The first day of university had finally come to an end. Grace and Leila walked together to the front entrance, where Grace's dad would be waiting to pick her up. The two friends shared their thoughts on the day, the excitement still buzzing between them as they talked about their classes and the people they'd met.
"You sure you don't want a ride home?" Grace asked, already pulling out her phone to text her dad.
Leila shook her head with a soft smile. "I'm good. I feel like walking. It's such a nice day, and I want to take my time to soak it all in."
Grace nodded, understanding. "Alright, but message me when you get home. Just in case."
"Of course," Leila said, pulling her friend in for a quick hug before watching her leave.
As Leila waved goodbye, she felt the warmth of the sun on her skin, the soft summer breeze rustling her hair. It was the perfect weather for a walk, and after the excitement of the day, she craved the quiet time to herself. She wanted to reflect on everything that had happened—the new faces, the classes that had already sparked her curiosity, and the slight thrill that came from knowing she was embarking on something bigger than she had ever imagined.
With each step, Leila thought about her classes, already mentally organizing how she would tackle the readings and assignments. The excitement of diving into her psychology coursework was thrilling. She loved learning—loved how knowledge expanded her view of the world—and she was eager to get home and start working on her papers. There was something so satisfying about cracking open her laptop and immersing herself in new concepts. The fresh possibilities that awaited her made her chest swell with anticipation.
Just as she was about to put in her AirPods, a voice called out from behind her. "Leila!"
She turned, recognizing Wayde from lunch, his casual confidence evident as he jogged to catch up with her. A small smile tugged at her lips as she watched him approach.
"Where are you off to?" he asked, his tone easygoing but curious.
Leila tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Just walking home. It's about forty-five minutes from here."
Wayde raised an eyebrow, a playful grin on his face. "That's quite the walk. You want some company? No lady should be walking alone, after all."
Leila hesitated for a moment. She wasn't used to someone offering to walk her home, and she enjoyed her solitude. But something about Wayde's offer felt genuine. Besides, having someone to talk to for a bit might be nice.
"Okay," she said, her smile widening."Why not?"
Wayde glanced over at Leila, the sunlight filtering through the trees casting shadows on the sidewalk as they walked together. "So, how was your first day?" he asked, his tone light but genuinely curious.
Leila's face lit up with excitement as she smiled, her earlier nerves replaced by the thrill of the day's events. "I loved it," she said, her voice filled with enthusiasm. "It was everything I imagined and more. I can't wait to get home and start working on my essay. There's something about diving into new subjects, expanding my knowledge... it just excites me."
