Wave's of Fate

Continuation

As their professor announced the project activity, Dexter couldn’t help but glance at Serena, his heart beating faster than usual. He wasn’t sure if it was the excitement or the anticipation of spending more time with her, but either way, he was eager for what was about to unfold.

“So for this group project, I’ll assign each pair randomly,” the professor said, holding a list in hand. Dexter’s eyes never left Serena, his mind already racing with the possibility that they might get paired up.

“Tandaan niyo, this will be 50% of your final grade, so work closely and make sure to collaborate well.”

Dexter’s friends were nudging him, teasing him under their breaths. “Dude, baka partner mo si crush,” one of them joked, earning a playful shove from Dexter. “Tigil niyo nga yan,” he muttered, though deep inside, he couldn’t deny how much he wanted it to happen.

Finally, the professor started calling out names, and each pair stood up to acknowledge their partnership. When Dexter heard, “Serena Brooks and Dexter Miller,” he froze for a second, unable to believe his luck. His friends erupted into laughter, giving him knowing looks.

“Perfect timing, bro!” someone whispered.

Dexter swallowed the nerves rising in his throat and turned to Serena, who seemed equally surprised. Their eyes met, and for a moment, the rest of the world disappeared.

“Looks like we’re partners,” Dexter said with a half-smile as he approached her after the announcement.

Serena nodded, her voice soft. “Yeah… let’s make it work.”

---

Later that day, they met in the library to discuss their project. Dexter was already waiting when Serena arrived, her face lighting up as she approached him.

“Sorry, I’m late,” Serena apologized in a mix of Tagalog and English. “Nakalimutan ko yung books ko sa dorm.”

“Don’t worry about it. I just got here too,” Dexter replied with a smile, watching as she sat across from him. There was something about the way she spoke so naturally that made him even more fascinated with her.

“So, let’s start?” she asked, flipping through her notebook. “Ano palang topic natin?”

Dexter leaned closer, pointing at the list of options they were given. “I was thinking… maybe we could do something about social media and its impact on mental health?”

Serena’s eyes brightened. “That’s actually a good idea! I’ve been really interested in that topic lately.”

Dexter smiled, feeling a warm sense of satisfaction that they were already on the same page. “Perfect. I’ll take care of the research, then we can divide the tasks from there.”

As they talked more, Dexter couldn’t help but notice how passionate and thoughtful Serena was. She had this quiet confidence that drew him in, and every time she shared her thoughts, he found himself even more captivated.

“Grabe, you’re really smart, Serena,” Dexter said after a while, unable to keep the admiration out of his voice. “Parang ang dami mong alam.”

Serena laughed, shaking her head. “Ikaw din naman, Dexter. You’re not just a pretty face.”

That comment made Dexter blush slightly, something his friends would never let him live down if they saw. “Thanks, I guess?” he said, laughing awkwardly.

The hours passed quickly, and before they knew it, the library was closing. They packed up their things, and Dexter walked with Serena outside. The campus was quiet, and the setting sun cast a golden glow over everything.