The next few days passed in a blur of classes, study sessions, and the usual routine. But Naomi lingered in Kai's thoughts. Her depth and calmness made her stand out, and every time he walked into Psychology 101, he found himself hoping to catch another conversation with her.
On Friday, as the week came to a close, Kai arrived early for class, a rare occurrence. He found a seat a little closer to the front this time, partly to help himself focus, but mostly because Naomi usually sat somewhere nearby. As students trickled in, he spotted her walking through the door, her dark hair neatly tucked behind her ears, holding a folder filled with notes.
She noticed him, her expression lighting up as she waved. Kai motioned to the empty seat next to him, and after a brief moment of hesitation, she made her way over and sat down.
"Early today?" Naomi teased, setting her things down.
Kai chuckled. "Figured I'd try something new. Maybe actually pay attention for once."
She smiled. "Glad to see you're turning over a new leaf."
Before they could say more, the professor walked in, immediately launching into a discussion on cognitive biases and how they shape our perception of the world. Kai listened, but his mind was half on the lecture and half on the presence of Naomi sitting right next to him. It felt natural, easy. Every now and then, they exchanged glances or small whispers about the lecture, and Kai found himself more engaged than usual.
After class, as the professor dismissed everyone, Naomi turned to him. "You seemed more focused today. Was it my presence that did it?"
Kai grinned. "Maybe. Or maybe it was all those cognitive biases the professor was talking about. Got me thinking."
Naomi laughed softly, gathering her things. "It's interesting, right? How our brains trick us into thinking we're always right."
Kai slung his bag over his shoulder as they headed out of the classroom. "Yeah, makes you wonder how much of what we believe is just our mind playing tricks on us."
"Exactly," Naomi agreed. "It's why I love psychology. It makes you question everything—your assumptions, your beliefs. Even how you see yourself."
Kai glanced at her as they walked down the hallway. "You seem like someone who's got a pretty good grip on who they are, though."
Naomi looked thoughtful for a moment. "Maybe. But I think there's always more to learn about yourself. Especially when you're far from home."
Her words had a quiet honesty to them, and Kai could sense there was more behind them. But before he could ask more, Naomi changed the subject.
"Hey, speaking of learning more, do you have time later? The International Relations Club is having a discussion on cultural diplomacy. It's pretty informal, but I think you'd like it."
Kai blinked, a little caught off guard. "You really want me to come to one of those meetings, huh?"
Naomi gave him a playful smile. "I think you'd add something interesting to the conversation. Plus, it's a good way to meet more people on campus."
Kai thought about it for a moment. He wasn't usually one for clubs or group discussions, but something about the way Naomi invited him made him want to give it a shot. "Alright, I'm in. When is it?"
"6 PM, in the student lounge," Naomi said, her eyes brightening. "I'll text you the details."
"Sounds good," Kai replied, feeling an odd mix of excitement and nerves.
They reached the main courtyard, and Naomi paused, turning to face him. "I'm glad you're coming. It'll be nice to have someone who isn't already deep into politics and diplomacy."
Kai raised an eyebrow. "Why's that?"
"Because," she said with a knowing smile, "sometimes it takes someone outside of that world to ask the right questions. And I have a feeling you're full of those."
Kai chuckled. "We'll see."
With a final wave, Naomi headed off toward her next class, and Kai found himself standing in the courtyard for a moment, watching her go. There was something about her, something grounded yet full of curiosity, that made him want to keep these conversations going.
Later that evening, Kai found himself heading to the student lounge. The sun was starting to set, casting long shadows over the campus as students milled about, some heading to the dining hall, others preparing for their weekend plans. Kai felt a little out of place as he approached the lounge—clubs and meetings had never really been his thing.
But as he entered the room, he spotted Naomi near the front, talking to a small group of students. Her face lit up when she saw him, and she waved him over.
"Kai! You made it," she said, her voice filled with genuine warmth.
"Yeah, figured I'd see what all the fuss was about," Kai replied, feeling a little more relaxed seeing her welcoming smile.
Naomi introduced him to a few of the others—students from different majors, all with an interest in global relations and diplomacy. They were a mixed group, some from abroad, others from the U.S., all with a shared passion for cultural exchange.
The discussion began shortly after, with a few students leading the conversation about the role of diplomacy in resolving conflicts between countries. Naomi chimed in every now and then, her insights thoughtful and articulate. But what surprised Kai most was how easy it was for him to join in.
He found himself contributing to the discussion, not as someone with a deep knowledge of international politics, but as someone who had his own unique perspective. They talked about cultural differences, the way global events shaped personal identities, and even how smaller, everyday interactions could foster understanding between people from different backgrounds.
By the time the meeting ended, Kai felt surprisingly energized. As the group dispersed, Naomi walked over to him, her expression pleased.
"You did great," she said. "See? Told you you'd fit right in."
Kai smiled, feeling a little more confident than he had when he first arrived. "I actually enjoyed it. Didn't expect that."
Naomi laughed softly. "I knew you would. You've got a curious mind, Kai. It's what makes you interesting."
He glanced at her, their eyes meeting for a moment. There was something about the way she said it—like she wasn't just talking about the meeting, but something more.
"Thanks," he said quietly. "You're pretty interesting yourself."
They lingered there for a moment, the conversation winding down but the connection between them deepening.
"I should get going," Naomi said finally, glancing at her watch. "But we should do this again sometime."
Kai nodded. "Yeah, I'd like that."
As she headed off into the evening, Kai watched her go, feeling a strange mix of calm and curiosity. Meeting Naomi had been unexpected, but the more they talked, the more he realized there was something about her that he didn't want to let go of.
