Mia

Chapter 1 | Stranger Encounter

As the amber leaves danced in the crisp autumn breeze, Mia stirred awake to the soft golden light streaming in through her window.

The faint echoes of laughter from students who had already begun their morning routines in the dormitories down the hall stirred her from sleep.

She blinked sleepily, the warm comfort of her blanket making it hard to rise. But today was a Thursday, and like every Thursday, she had a schedule to keep.

With a resigned sigh, Mia swung her legs over the side of the bed, her bare feet meeting the chill of the wooden floor.

She padded to the bathroom, splashing her face with cold water to shake off the remnants of sleep.

The mirror reflected her tousled brown hair and sleep-worn eyes, and she smiled back at her reflection, knowing that she could always count on her favorite oversized hoodie to disguise her morning appearance.

Mia embraced her quick routine: a splash of face cream, brushing her teeth, and the unceremonious process of throwing on whatever clothes were clean.

Today, it was her navy-blue hoodie, a pair of fitted jeans, and her trusty sneakers.

Confidence was hard to come by when all she had ahead of her was a long day of lectures and coding challenges, so she needed all the comfort she could muster.

After grabbing her tote bag and ensuring she had her essential textbooks and laptop, Mia glanced at the clock, the little hands speeding toward her departure time.

She rushed down the narrow hallway and took the elevator down to the ground floor, her heart racing slightly, but the distant sound of train whistles reminded her that she was in a race she could easily win.

By the time she stepped outside, the air had turned brisk, and the earthy smell of fallen leaves swirled around her.

The campus glowed with the colors of fall—rich oranges, vibrant reds, and soft yellows painted the trees lining the pathways. Mia inhaled deeply, letting the scents and sights infuse her spirit, momentarily lifting the weight of her academic pressures.

She hurried past the students milling about, each of them encapsulated in their conversations, their laughter blending into a beautiful melody.

Falling leaves crunched beneath her feet as she made her way to the train station that loomed just off-campus.

She could barely wait to get her daily dose of caffeine from the little café near the platform.

The train station was alive with activity. She hurried to grab her usual latte, careful not to spill it as she navigated the crowd towards the platform.

Just as she took a deep sip, she heard the approaching sound of the train and felt her excitement build.

Moments later, she boarded the train, and it swayed slightly as the doors slid shut behind her.

Mia made her way to an empty seat near the window, letting the warmth of the carriage wrap around her like a hug.

She pulled out her laptop to prepare for class, her fingers dancing over the keys as she immersed herself in coding assignments.

The rhythmic clack of the train was like a soothing lullaby until suddenly, she felt a jolt as someone bumped into her.

Startled, Mia glanced up just in time to see a figure dash past, their movements quick and erratic. Instinctively, her hand flew to the strap of her tote bag.

Panic surged as she realized that her purse—her entire world of essentials—had slipped from her grasp. A quick glance revealed the pickpocket, an unkempt young man, darting towards the exit.

“Hey!” she yelled, standing up abruptly, her heart pounding.

But before she could do anything further, a striking figure stepped into the narrow walkway of the train.

Mia’s gaze fell on a young lady, with an aura that suggested she was not someone to be trifled with.

Clad in a black mini skirt -wait was that leather?- Mia squinted her eyes a little to check the details of the skirt, that was matched up with and a dark red turtleneck, her long dark hair had been pulled back into a sharp ponytail that accentuated her striking features—high cheekbones, full red lips that turned down slightly in concentration, and dark, smoldering eyes that seemed to see everything.

Without hesitation, the lady lunged forward, cornering the pickpocket just as he reached for the train doors. “Stop!” she commanded, her voice low and powerful.

The man froze, the fire in her gaze immobilizing him. There was a moment where time stretched—the aura in the train shifted.

In that heartbeat, she grabbed him by the collar and pulled him back towards Mia, her fierce stance embodying strength and authority.

“Return the purse,” she demanded, her words sliced through the ambivalence of the air.

To Mia's surprise, he held out the purse, shaking slightly.

She took it from his grasp, relief blooming within her like autumn flowers. “Thank you!” she exclaimed, but Mia was too stunned by the newcomers commanding presence to feel embarrassed.

The lady narrowed her eyes at the pickpocket, who was now visibly trembling. “And here, take this,” She said, reaching into her own pocket and pulling out a couple of dollar bills. “Make better choices.”

There was a silence, heavy and tangible, as the pickpocket accepted the money with a look of bewilderment. Then, as quick as he had come, he slipped away into the throng of commuters, leaving the train full of stunned passengers behind.

Mia felt something shift inside her—a flicker that ignited at watching the newcomers unexpected act of compassion. It struck her as beautiful and powerful, and she couldn’t help but admire the way she commanded respect.

“Are you alright?” she asked, turning her penetrating gaze towards Mia, concern etched in her brows.

“Yes, thank you! I— I wasn’t expecting that,” Mia stammered, her heart hammering against her ribcage, both from surprise and an unexpected attraction. The lady's strength was magnetic.

Mia felt her face grow warm as she realized she was staring. “I’m Mia,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Eve,” the lady replied with a slight nod, her demeanor softening but still holding an air of intensity.

“Thanks again,” Mia said, her voice steadier now, though the flutter in her stomach refused to calm down.

But before she could catch another glance, the announcement for the next stop rang through the carriage. Mia darted off the train, a flurry of warmth and confusion in her insides, only to collide with her friend Diane just outside the doors.

“Hey, you’re full of energy this morning!” Diane chirped, her face like sunlight bustling through the damp fog.

Mia nodded, still trying to piece together the surreal encounter. “You won’t believe what just happened,” she began, her cheeks flushed.

The words tumbled out as she recounted the drama with the pickpocket and Eve’s bold intervention. Even as she spoke, the memory of Eve lingered like the scent of falling leaves, an enticing riddle in her mind.

Diane listened with wide eyes, a playful smirk crossing her lips. “Sounds like someone has a crush,” she teased, nudging Mia playfully.

“You’re ridiculous,” Mia laughed, but the truth of it was undeniable. The way Eve had held herself, the commanding strength, the thin line of kindness—everything about that encounter felt like the start of something profound.

As they walked toward the lecture halls, Mia couldn’t help but glance back in the direction of the train, her heart swaying with unknown possibilities in the cool autumn air.