When We Were Us (#1 Romance)

3: Appear

I woke up, and when I glanced at the time, my heart dropped. 

Oh my god! I'm late! 

I took a quick shower, threw on some simple makeup, and packed my things in a frenzy, racing downstairs.

"Don't be in such a rush! Drive safely!" my mom shouted after me as I dashed toward the door.

I hopped into my car and sped off, checking my phone at a red light. 

I noticed a message from Raissa sent 30 minutes ago: "Noor, I won't come today. I'm sick."

Oh my god... I hate this. 

With Raissa absent, finding a seat in class would be a struggle. She always saved one for me when I was running late. 

I gripped the steering wheel tighter, frustration bubbling up inside me.

Pulling into the parking lot, I scanned for a space. Every spot seemed full. 

Great, just great, I thought, my anxiety spiking as I finally found a distant spot. 

I parked quickly and rushed toward the lecture hall, praying there'd still be a seat available.

I hesitated at the entrance, my heart racing at the thought of walking in an hour late. 

The professor would definitely call me out in front of everyone, and I could already imagine the judgmental looks from my classmates. 

After a moment of indecision, I turned on my heel and decided to skip the class altogether.

With guilt weighing heavy on my shoulders, I needed to focus on my studies instead. 

A café might be the best place to do that, I thought. 

I checked the time—still only 9 AM. 

The café should be quiet at this hour, perfect for getting some work done.

As I drove, the familiar streets calmed my racing mind. 

I parked outside my favorite café, the smell of freshly brewed coffee wafting through the air. I pushed the door open and stepped inside, the bell chiming softly. Just as I expected, the place was nearly empty.

I found a cozy corner table by the window, settled in, and opened my laptop, pulling out my headphones. The comforting ambiance and the gentle hum of soft music wrapped around me, making me feel at ease. 

As I sipped my drink, I pulled out my notes and started reviewing my assignments.

The sunlight streamed in through the window, illuminating my workspace and casting a warm glow on the pages in front of me. I immersed myself in my studies, letting the world outside fade away.

However, every now and then, I caught myself glancing toward the door, half-expecting to see that familiar figure walk in—the guy from the café the other day. 

What was his name again? Nash? My mind wandered as I tried to concentrate on the task at hand.

I returned my focus to my laptop, typing out ideas for my script, but my thoughts kept drifting back to the discussions I overheard. Wouldn't it be interesting to explore different perspectives on faith in my project?

As I made notes, the café began to fill up with other patrons. The chatter grew louder, but I didn't mind. It felt good to be part of the world again, even if just from the comfort of my corner table. I took another sip of my drink, savoring the rich chocolate flavor.