A month later

Leila stood just outside the main entrance of the university building, shifting her weight from one foot to the other as she glanced down at her phone. The campus was already bustling with activity, students milling about, some chatting excitedly while others hurried to their first classes of the day. The crisp morning air buzzed with the energy of a new academic year, and despite the slight chill, Leila felt a warm flush of excitement in her cheeks.

She checked her phone again, scrolling through her notifications, hoping to see a message from Grace. Leila was eager to get started—today marked the beginning of their university journey, something they had both worked so hard to achieve. She knew Grace would be just as excited, if not more, and the thought brought a small, anticipatory smile to her face.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Leila spotted Grace's dad's car pulling up to the curb. She straightened up, a grin spreading across her face as she watched Grace hop out, her eyes bright with enthusiasm. Grace gave a quick wave and goodbye to her dad before shutting the car door behind her with a satisfying thud.

"There you are!" Leila called out, her heart lifting as she saw Grace practically bounce over to her.

Grace beamed, closing the distance between them in a few quick strides before wrapping Leila in a warm hug. "I'm sorry I'm late! Dad was being all protective again, giving me the 'don't get into trouble' speech like I'm still in high school or something."

Leila laughed, shaking her head as she returned the embrace. "It's fine, you're here now, and that's what matters."

Grace linked her arm with Leila's as they began to walk together, the excitement between them palpable. "Can you believe it? We're actually here, Leila! Our first day of university! This is going to be the best year ever—I can just feel it."

Leila nodded, her own excitement growing as she listened to Grace. "I know, it still feels a bit surreal. But we made it, and now it's time to make the most of it."

Grace's eyes sparkled with ideas as they made their way across the campus, weaving through groups of students and soaking in the atmosphere. "This is our chance to reinvent ourselves, you know? We're not the same girls we were in high school. We can be whoever we want to be now. I'm thinking new look, new friends, maybe even a new attitude. What do you think?"

Leila smiled, content to let Grace's excitement wash over her. "I think that sounds amazing. I'm just happy to be here with you. Whatever you decide, I'm sure it'll be perfect."

Grace squeezed Leila's arm affectionately, her grin widening. "You're the best, Leila. Seriously, this is going to be our year. We're going to have so much fun, and who knows? Maybe we'll even meet some cute guys along the way."

Leila chuckled, rolling her eyes playfully. "Grace, you always have guys on the brain."

"Hey, I'm just saying, anything could happen," Grace teased, nudging Leila gently as they continued walking. "But for now, let's focus on getting to class on time and making a killer first impression."

The two of them walked through the bustling campus, their arms still linked, as they headed toward their first class. Leila couldn't help but admire Grace's boundless energy and optimism. It was one of the things she loved most about her friend—her ability to see the potential in every situation, to turn even the most mundane moments into something special.

As they approached the entrance to the lecture hall, Grace took a deep breath and flashed Leila a confident smile. "Ready?"

Leila nodded.
Grace pointed toward the front. "Let's sit there," she said with a grin, leading the way.

Leila followed, her laptop bag swinging slightly as she walked. The front rows were mostly empty, save for a few students who were already seated, eagerly chatting or setting up their laptops. The rest of the room was starting to fill up with students trickling in, some finding seats alone while others clustered in small groups, the hum of conversation growing louder with each passing minute.

Leila set her bag down by her feet and began pulling out her laptop, placing it carefully on the desk in front of her. She was focused on getting everything organized, making sure she had her notes ready for the first lecture. As she pulled the laptop out, a movement near the entrance caught her eye. Out of habit, she glanced up, her gaze trailing from the floor upward as a figure walked into the classroom.

It started with his Doc Martens—scuffed black boots that seemed to have a story of their own. Her eyes followed the line of his legs, taking in the ripped black jeans that clung to his frame, the belt with silver studs wrapped casually around his waist. Then there was the plain black t-shirt that hung from his torso, exposing the tattoos that decorated his arms, And then she saw his face.

Leila felt her breath hitch, her heart pounding loudly in her chest. There was no mistaking those emerald green eyes, the same ones that had watched her so intently during their first encounter. His soft pink lips curved slightly into a small, knowing smile, and she noticed something new—a lip ring that only added to his already striking appearance. His black hair was as messy as ever, somehow effortlessly perfect, as if it had just fallen that way naturally.

She could feel the heat rising in her cheeks, the flush spreading across her skin as flashbacks from that night at the party played in her mind. The way he had helped her out of the pool, the unexpected warmth of his touch, and the hoodie he had given her that now sat on her desk at home. She had thought about wearing it often, the fabric still carrying his scent, but every time she had reached for it, she stopped herself, thinking it would be creepy.

Jesci walked with an easy confidence, his gaze sweeping over the room before landing on her. Their eyes met, and for a brief moment, the noise of the lecture hall seemed to fade into the background. He gave her a small, almost imperceptible nod. It was as if he was acknowledging her, and the memory they now shared, before he continued on, heading toward the back of the class where he slid into a seat.

Leila's heart was still racing as she quickly turned her attention back to her laptop, opening it on her desk with a sense of urgency. She needed to focus, to act like nothing had happened, even though her mind was swirling with thoughts of him. She could feel the blush still coloring her cheeks, and she mentally scolded herself.

*Just get through this class,* she told herself, taking a deep breath as she tried to push the thoughts of Jesci out of her mind. *You're here to study, not to dwell on embarrassing moments from the past.*

Leila tried to steady her breathing as she focused on her laptop screen, her fingers hovering over the keyboard as if the act of typing would somehow ground her. But her mind was still racing, replaying the moment Jesci had walked into the room, his presence unsettling her in a way she couldn't quite understand.

Grace, who had been rummaging through her bag for a pen, glanced over at Leila, noticing the slight tension in her friend's posture. "Hey, you okay?" she whispered, her brow furrowed with concern.

Leila forced a smile, nodding quickly. "Yeah, I'm fine," she replied, her voice a little too high-pitched to be convincing. "Just... you know, first-day nerves."

Grace gave her a knowing look but didn't push the matter. "Okay, if you say so," she said softly, before turning her attention back to her notebook, scribbling something down in preparation for the lecture.

Their conversation was cut short by the sound of the door at the front of the room opening. The students fell silent as a tall, slender man entered the lecture hall. He moved with an air of authority, his posture straight and commanding, yet there was a certain elegance to his demeanor that made it clear he wasn't just any ordinary professor.

The man had slicked-back grey hair, meticulously styled, and dark brown eyes that seemed to take in everything at once. A short, neatly trimmed beard added a touch of ruggedness to his otherwise polished appearance. He was dressed in a well-fitted black suit, paired with a crisp white shirt, notably without a tie, giving him an air of casual sophistication. On his left hand, a simple wedding band caught the light as he adjusted his Apple Watch on his wrist.

The professor reached the front of the room, turning to face the class with a warm, genuine smile. "Good morning, everyone," he began, his voice carrying easily across the room. "My name is Mr. Rossi, and I'll be your instructor for this psychology course. I hope you're all as excited about this term as I am."

He paused, letting his gaze sweep across the room, seemingly taking in each student with a careful, measured look. "This term, we're going to explore some fascinating topics within the realm of psychology, but before we dive into that, I want to emphasize how important it is to approach this subject with an open mind and a willingness to challenge your own perceptions."

Leila found herself drawn in by Mr. Rossi's presence, the way he commanded the room with ease, yet never made it feel intimidating. His enthusiasm for the subject was evident, and it made her eager to learn more.

Mr. Rossi moved to the chalkboard, picking up a piece of chalk and writing out the topic for today's lesson: "**Cognitive Dissonance: The Mental Conflict of Holding Contradictory Beliefs**."

"As some of you may know," Mr. Rossi continued, turning back to face the class, "cognitive dissonance is a concept in psychology that describes the mental discomfort experienced by a person who simultaneously holds two or more contradictory beliefs, values, or ideas. This discomfort often leads to an alteration in one of the beliefs or behaviors to reduce the dissonance and restore mental harmony."

He began to elaborate, explaining how cognitive dissonance could affect decision-making processes, personal beliefs, and even relationships. Leila found herself captivated by the lecture, the complexities of the topic resonating with her on a deeper level. The idea that our minds could be so conflicted by opposing beliefs was both fascinating and unsettling.

Just as Mr. Rossi was about to continue, his eyes flicked to the back of the room, and he hesitated for a moment before addressing the person he had noticed. "Well, well, it's good to see you here, Jesci," he said with a raised eyebrow, his tone laced with a hint of amusement. "I hope this year you'll grace us with your presence more often than last year."

Leila's heart skipped a beat, and she glanced over her shoulder, noticing that several students were now looking toward the back of the room as well. Jesci, lounging in his seat with a relaxed posture, didn't miss a beat. He smirked, leaning back in his chair. "I'll do my best, Mr. Rossi. You know I just can't stay away."

The class chuckled lightly, and Mr. Rossi shook his head with a slight smile. "I've missed that sense of humor, Jesci. Let's just hope you can back it up with some attendance this time around."

Jesci gave a casual shrug, his smirk never fading. "Wouldn't want to disappoint you, Mr. Rossi."

Mr. Rossi chuckled softly, turning back to the chalkboard as he continued the lecture. "Alright, let's get back to it. Cognitive dissonance is not just a theoretical concept—it's something we all experience, often without even realizing it..."

As the lecture resumed, Leila tried to focus on Mr. Rossi's words, but her mind kept drifting back to Jesci's voice, the way he seemed so at ease, even when being called out by the professor. She mentally scolded herself again, reminding herself that she was here to learn, not to get distracted by someone she barely knew.

Jesci