Chasing Hearts

Chapter 1: The Morning of New Beginnings

Ethan Harrison woke up to the familiar sound of his alarm buzzing at precisely 5:30 AM. It was a routine he never skipped, a habit etched into his mind as solidly as the muscles he'd spent years sculpting. Ethan was a force of nature, and he knew it—not in a cocky way, but in a quiet, unshakeable confidence that had come from endless hours of self-discipline. He rolled out of bed, his abs flexing with each move, and stretched, shaking off the last remnants of sleep.

He threw on a black tank top and a pair of running shorts, grabbing his water bottle before heading out the door. The gym was close to his apartment, and the brisk walk through the still-sleepy campus energized him. The early morning air was cool and crisp, a refreshing start to the day, and the path was empty—just the way he liked it.

When he arrived at the gym, the low hum of weights clinking and muffled music greeted him. Ethan nodded to a few familiar faces, already lost in their workouts, and quickly started his own. Focused, precise, determined—he moved through each rep with intensity. But as he finished his set, he couldn't help but notice that most of the guys in the gym seemed to be distracted, their eyes pulled toward a figure across the room.

Rebecca.

The name was well-known around campus, but her presence was something that demanded attention. Rebecca was magnetic: strikingly beautiful, her long, dark hair pulled into a ponytail, and her figure was...well, it was no wonder every set of eyes in the room seemed to follow her every move. She was dressed in tight, sleek workout clothes that showed off her curves and toned body, and she knew exactly how to use her allure to her advantage. But Ethan wasn't buying it.

Rebecca noticed him watching—just for a second—and flashed him a confident smile, striding over with that tell-tale sway in her hips.

"Hey, Ethan," she said, her voice smooth and playful. "I don't usually see you working out this early. Mind if I join you for some...extra motivation?"

Ethan kept his face neutral, offering her a polite smile and a simple nod before resuming his workout. He wasn't rude—Ethan wasn't the type. But he also wasn't the type to get distracted, especially not by Rebecca's not-so-subtle attempts to flirt. For him, the gym was about discipline and focus, and nothing—not even Rebecca's magnetic charm—could break that.

Rebecca pouted a little as she realized he wasn't biting, but Ethan barely noticed. He was already back in his zone, his mind focused on his reps and nothing else. Within an hour, he was done with his workout, feeling refreshed and ready to tackle the day.

After a quick shower and breakfast, he headed to Stratford Hills University. The campus was buzzing today, and Ethan remembered why. It was the annual festival, a celebration held to welcome the juniors. The entire university would be alive with performances, games, and a variety of activities. This was always one of the best days of the year—a break from routine and a chance to enjoy campus life in all its energy and color.

As he walked toward the main courtyard, he noticed the groups of juniors milling around, excitement shining in their eyes. Ethan had been a freshman not too long ago, and he could still remember that nervous thrill of stepping into the college world for the first time. Today, though, he was on the other side of it, and he felt strangely amused by the awed glances thrown his way by some of the junior girls.

He was tall, with broad shoulders and striking features that made people take notice. But more than that, it was his quiet confidence, the calm intensity that set him apart. Some of the girls whispered to each other, giggling as he passed, and he heard the occasional "Who is that?" from the crowd of fresh faces.

He soon spotted Jake, his closest friend, waving him over. Jake had his usual grin plastered on his face, looking ready to crack a joke at a moment's notice. Next to him stood Alex, a quieter presence, but just as much a part of their tight-knit trio. Ethan walked over, giving them both a nod as he joined their conversation.

"Dude," Jake said, clapping Ethan on the shoulder, "you've already become the campus celebrity. I think half the new girls fainted just watching you walk in."

"Come on, Jake," Ethan replied, shaking his head but smiling. "It's just the festival. Let them have their fun."

"You're too humble for your own good," Alex chimed in, with a smirk. "Give it another week, and they'll be forming fan clubs."

The three friends laughed, enjoying the lightness of the day. The atmosphere was buzzing with energy as juniors performed dances, skits, and even stand-up routines. The stage was set up at the center of the courtyard, decorated in university colors, and students were gathering around, clapping and cheering for the performances.

As the afternoon went on, the festival reached its peak. Just as Ethan was laughing at one of Jake's jokes, a sudden hush fell over the crowd. A new performer was stepping onto the stage, and something about her presence demanded attention.

Ethan looked up, and his gaze locked onto a girl he had never seen before.

She was younger—likely one of the new juniors—and she carried herself with an almost ethereal grace. She didn't have the flashy presence of Rebecca or the crowd-commanding charisma of some of the other performers. But there was something in her quiet confidence, a natural beauty that seemed to radiate from within.

As she took a deep breath and began to recite a poem, her voice flowed out soft yet clear, a melody against the background of the bustling campus. She spoke about nature's beauty—the strength in the trees, the quiet power of the ocean, the vastness of the night sky. Her words were vivid, her imagery so powerful that it drew everyone in, and the courtyard seemed to fall silent, each person mesmerized.

Ethan found himself forgetting everything else as he listened. He was struck by the way she painted scenes with her words, how each line seemed to bring her closer to the world she described. He didn't know her name, but there was something about her—something genuine and pure, something that touched a part of him he hadn't expected.

Jake elbowed him, breaking his trance. "Dude, you're staring," he whispered, a mischievous grin on his face. "Looks like our man Ethan is finally interested in someone."

Ethan didn't respond, his gaze still fixed on the stage. For the first time in a long time, he wasn't sure what to say. He just stood there, listening to her voice, feeling like he was being drawn into a new world, one he wasn't quite ready for but couldn't ignore.

When she finished, the crowd erupted into applause, and the girl on stage offered a small, humble smile before stepping down. Ethan watched her disappear into the crowd, his mind still lingering on her words.

As the crowd started to disperse, Jake gave Ethan a knowing nudge. "Looks like the festival just got a whole lot more interesting for you, huh?"

Ethan chuckled, shaking his head, but there was a spark in his eyes that hadn't been there before. "Maybe. I don't know," he said, trying to sound casual. But something told him that this wasn't just another face in the crowd. Something told him that this girl—whoever she was—was going to change more than just his day.

As the festivities continued, Ethan couldn't shake the feeling that he had just witnessed the beginning of something, something that would make this year at Stratford Hills unlike any other.