WOULD YOU RESCUE ME?

3. The first weekend

Vanessa sat in her dorm room, taking in the familiar chaos of half-unpacked boxes, scattered clothes, and the bare walls that she had yet to make her own. It was her first weekend alone in Dublin, the first weekend she had all to herself since moving here. Technically, she should have spent the day organizing her room, getting her books and notes in order, and maybe even catching up on some reading for her classes. But the thought of being cooped up indoors all day didn't sit right with her. She craved the city, the energy of the streets, the feeling of getting lost somewhere new.After a quick change of clothes, she grabbed her small backpack, stuffing in her poetry book, her iPad, and the worn notebook where she jotted down her thoughts and stashed a few cherished photos. She slipped a bottle of water into the side pocket and slung the bag over her shoulder. Without hesitating, she headed out into the crisp, cool air of Dublin.Vanessa rode her bike into the city center, navigating the winding streets with ease despite how new everything still felt. She parked and took a moment to appreciate the scene around her, the bustling streets, the chatter of tourists and locals alike, the historic charm of the buildings that surrounded her. She started wandering with no particular destination in mind, letting her feet carry her wherever they pleased.As she walked, memories of her first trip to Dublin surfaced in her mind, back when she was just a shy teenager, visiting with her parents. She remembered clinging to them, feeling small in the face of a new city, unsure of how to navigate the unfamiliar streets without their guidance. Back then, she was someone who hesitated before speaking to strangers, who found comfort in the shadows rather than the spotlight. Five years had passed since that first visit, but it felt like a lifetime. She was no longer the girl who needed a hand to hold.Now, she had learned to find her way alone. She had gone through enough to understand that facing her emotions head-on wasn't always her strength. She had become good at running, at keeping herself busy to avoid the questions she didn't want to answer. But here, in this city, she felt a strange sense of possibility, like maybe she could pause just long enough to take it all in.Vanessa found a bench in one of Dublin's main squares, surrounded by the hum of city life. She pulled out her poetry book, lit a cigarette, and let the words and the smoke fill her lungs, allowing herself a moment of stillness as she watched the world go by.
Meanwhile across town, Astra was enjoying a rare Saturday morning off from work. She had decided to treat herself to breakfast at the bar where she usually served others. The place had a different energy when she was on the other side of the counter, and she liked it. After lingering over a cup of coffee, she made her way to the college library, her law textbooks in tow. She needed to catch up on some reading cases and statutes that demanded her attention more than anything else today.Astra settled into one of the library's quiet corners, flipping through her notes and letting herself sink into the world of legal arguments. But every now and then, her mind wandered back to the night before, to the feeling of Vanessa's touch, the way their laughter had filled her apartment. And then the strange way Vanessa had slipped out in the morning. It left a pang in her chest that she tried to ignore by reading her notes and talking to people that she new from time to time when she was taking her breaks from studying.
After a few hours of roaming around the city, Vanessa returned to her dorm room. She spent some time tidying up, putting books on shelves and folding clothes into neat piles, of that order won't last for long and she new it. But the itch to get out struck again, and by 6 PM, she decided she could afford a few hours in the library. It was a good excuse to be around people, maybe even meet some new faces on campus.The library was buzzing with students, many cramming for upcoming exams or working on group projects. Vanessa found a desk, settled down with her notes, and studied for a while. After a few good hours of studying she stood up and decided to head outside to go have a cigarette and maybe actually talking with some of the people that she previously saw in the library.As she lit her cigarette, she noticed a group of students gathered nearby, chatting animatedly. The same ones that were studying all together before few tables across from hers She wandered closer, catching bits of their conversation, and soon found herself drawn into their circle. There were five of them: Cassy, Amy, Luke, Simon, and Maya. Amy and Luke were siblings, both with the same striking blue eyes and confident smiles that suggested they were well-known among the students.Vanessa quickly realized that this group was something of a social hub at the college. The way others gravitated towards them, hoping for a few words or even just a smile, was telling. Luke, especially, seemed to command attention without even trying. He was tall and athletic, with a charm that made it easy to see why people flocked to him. 

Vanessa took a drag of her cigarette, blowing the smoke into the cool evening air as she studied the group around her. The first to break the ice was Maya, her eyes lighting up as she caught Vanessa's gaze. "Hey, you're the new girl, right? Med student?" Maya's tone was bubbly and curious, her excitement barely contained. "Vanessa, isn't it?" Vanessa gave her a small, knowing smile, tucking a strand of her light brown hair behind her ear. "That's me. And you must be Maya?"Maya grinned and nodded enthusiastically. "You've got it! This is Amy, Cassy, Simon, and Luke." She gestured to each one, and Vanessa's gaze lingered a little longer on Luke, catching the confident smirk on his lips as he watched her. He was leaning back against the wall, arms crossed over his chest, the classic pose of someone who knew how to hold a room's attention."Nice to meet you all," Vanessa said smoothly, letting her voice drop just a touch, enough to draw their interest. She saw how Cassy's expression shifted, subtly sizing her up, and Amy's polite smile turned a little colder.Luke took a step closer, giving her a once-over that lingered just a second longer than polite. "So, Vanessa from Italy, huh? What brings you to Dublin? Med school can't be the only reason you picked our lovely rainy city."Vanessa arched an eyebrow, meeting his gaze with a hint of challenge. "Maybe I just wanted to try something new. Besides, I hear the nightlife here is worth the trip." She let her lips curl into a smirk, the kind that hinted she knew exactly what effect she had on people.Luke chuckled, his eyes not leaving hers. "You heard right. We know how to have a good time around here. If you ever need a tour guide for the city, or a party partner, I'm your guy."Cassy rolled her eyes, nudging Luke's arm playfully. "Luke, she's been in town a week, and you're already trying to make moves? Give her a break."Vanessa laughed softly, a warm sound that made Luke's smirk widen. "Don't worry, Cassy. I think I can handle him," she replied, her tone teasing as she flicked ash from her cigarette. She glanced back at Luke, raising a brow. "Or do you think you might be too much for me?"Luke leaned in just a little, his voice dropping to a low murmur. "You'd be surprised, Vanessa. I've got a few tricks up my sleeve.""Please, Luke, keep your tricks to yourself," Simon cut in with a shy laugh, trying to break some of the tension. "You know they're all just empty promises."Vanessa smiled at Simon, giving him a playful wink. "I don't know, Simon. Maybe I like a challenge."Amy, sensing the shift in the conversation, decided to steer things back to familiar territory. "So, Vanessa, what do you think of med school so far? It's a lot to take in, right?"Vanessa turned her attention to Amy, giving her a sincere nod. "Yeah, it's intense, but I like it. Keeps me busy, you know? And I've always liked a bit of competition." She glanced back at Luke as she said the last part, letting her eyes glint with a teasing edge."Sounds like you'd fit right in with us," Cassy interjected, her tone sharp but smiling. "We're always keeping each other on our toes."Vanessa met Cassy's gaze, recognizing the underlying edge in her tone, but kept her response light. "I'm sure I'll have to work hard to keep up with all of you."Luke laughed, the sound easy and confident, but his eyes stayed locked on Vanessa's. "I think you'll do just fine. But hey, if you ever need a study buddy, you know where to find me. Or maybe we could skip the studying part altogether."Vanessa matched his smirk with one of her own, leaning back against the bench, legs crossed in a way that gave her a relaxed yet subtly confident posture. "I'll keep that in mind. But I think I'll surprise you, Luke. I'm not as easy to distract as I look."The rest of the group chuckled, but Vanessa could feel the tension simmering beneath the light banter. It was like a game, a push and pull, with Luke testing her boundaries while she pushed right back. She noticed Cassy's slightly stiffened posture, Amy's half-smile that didn't quite reach her eyes, and Simon's more genuine but nervous attempts to join in."Hey, Vanessa, you should join us for drinks later. We're hitting up a spot nearby," Maya said, her tone bright, trying to keep the mood light between them all. "It'll be fun!"Vanessa considered the offer, but her attention shifted back to Luke, who was watching her with a mix of curiosity and something else, something unspoken. "Sure," she replied, keeping her gaze on his, letting the implication hang in the air. "I could use a bit more fun."Luke's smirk softened into something more genuine, but there was a challenge in his eyes still. "Looking forward to it, Vanessa. We'll see just how well you keep up."Vanessa blew out the last puff of her cigarette, crushing it under her shoe. "You have no idea."