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GENEVIEVE'S ALARM sounded, pulling her out of a restless sleep. She groaned, reaching for her phone on the nightstand, and squinted at the bright screen: 7:00 AM. She had her first class at 8:30, and she was determined to make a good first impression. After getting dressed in a pair of jeans and a long-sleeve fitted shirt, she grabbed her bag and headed out the door.
The walk across campus was peaceful, and Genevieve couldn't help but smile, taking in everything.
Her first class of the day was Film Studies, and the class was held in a main lecture hall, which looked as grand as it sounded — high ceilings, wooden desks, and rows of seats that filled quickly. Gen quickly chose a spot somewhere in the middle, where she could perfectly see the whiteboard.
As she settled in and took out her computer, her eyes wandered around the room, studying the people around her. A few students fell into conversation, some stared at their phones, but one face immediately caught her eye.
Ethan.
The boy waited at the door for a moment, scanning the rows of seats. When his gaze landed on her, his eyes widened slightly in recognition.
Ethan stood there for a moment, as if he was still deciding whether to come over or not. Finally, with a silent nod, he made his way to her row.
"Hey," he said softly, slipping into the seat next to her.
"Hey, Ethan," Genevieve greeted him with a smile. "Didn't know you were in this class."
"Yeah, I, um, like film," he replied.
Genevieve raised her eyebrows. "Same here. I've always loved movies. I'm a Film and Television major."
Before Ethan could respond, the door at the front of the lecture hall opened, and a blonde woman confidently strode in. The conversations grew quiet almost immediately, and everyone focused on her.
"Good morning, everyone," the woman said. "Welcome to Introduction to Film Studies. I'm Professor Laura Crane."
Genevieve sat up a little straighter. She had heard about Professor Crane from the upperclassmen — her fascination with horror, particularly slasher films. It wasn't exactly what Genevieve had expected from a Film Studies course, but she was interested nonetheless.
"As many of you know, I specialize in slasher films," Professor Crane continued. "I believe they hold a unique place in cinematic history. They reflect our society's fears, and if you look closely enough, you'll find that there's more to them than just gore and cheap scares. This semester, we're going to explore the art of the horror genre."
A few whispers echoed through the classroom. Genevieve glanced at Ethan, wondering if he was as interested as she was. To her surprise, he seemed focused, his eyes never leaving the professor as she spoke.
"Now, some of you may have heard of the Stab films," Professor Crane said, her lips curving into a smile. "Yes, those Stab films. I know they've become a bit of a cultural phenomenon, but they started as a reflection of a real-life horror story. And today, I want to discuss why these films matter to the genre and how they've impacted the slasher film landscape."
Genevieve's attention was hooked. She had heard about the Stab films — who hadn't? They were infamous, based on real events that had originated in Woodsboro, California.
"As we study these films," Professor Crane continued, "I want you all to think about the psychology behind fear. Why do we watch horror? What draws us to the terror of being hunted? And more importantly, what do these films say about us?"
When the class finally ended, Genevieve was still deep in thought, gathering her things slowly. Ethan remained beside her, quietly packing his bag. There was a silence between them, but it wasn't uncomfortable. It felt like they were both processing the discussion in the lecture.
"Did you like the class?" Ethan asked suddenly, breaking the silence.
Genevieve nodded. "Yeah, it's not what I expected, but I'm really interested. I didn't think we'd start with slasher films, though."
Ethan smiled. "Professor Crane's kind of obsessed with them. I heard she's written articles on the psychology of fear in horror movies."
"That makes sense," Genevieve said. "She really seems to know her stuff."
"You, um, heading to your next class?"
"Yeah," Genevieve replied, slinging her bag over her shoulder. "It's on the other side of campus, though."
"I could, uh, walk with you. If you want."
Genevieve smiled. "I'd really like that."
They left the lecture hall together, and as they stepped into the autumn air, Genevieve breathed it all in. The busy streets, the sirens, the honking cabs. She absolutely loved this city. And having someone to walk with, even if it was someone as quiet as Ethan, made the day feel even better.
"You know," Genevieve began. "I've never actually seen any of the Stab movies."
Ethan glanced at her, surprised. "Really? They're kind of a huge cultural thing. People are obsessed with them."
Genevieve shrugged. "I know. Don't get me wrong, I love horror, but I'm more of a psychological thriller type fan. The Shining, Psycho, films like that..."
The girl paused for a moment, then looked back at the boy. "But hey, maybe I'll give them a try now. You could give me a crash course."
Ethan paused for a second, his eyes meeting hers briefly before he looked away. "Maybe. If you're up for it."
"I'm up for anything," Genevieve replied cheerfully. "I might as well try something new."
Ethan nodded, but she could sense he was still holding back, like there was something heavier on his mind. Before she could ask more, they reached the building where her next class was.
"Thanks for walking with me, Ethan," she said, giving him a genuine smile. "It was nice to have a friendly face around today."
Ethan returned the smile, though it was still more reserved, like he wasn't used to showing his emotions openly. "Anytime."
The boy shifted awkwardly for a moment, then turned and walked away, disappearing into the crowded streets of the city.
