Luisa wasn't feeling well.
She hadn't been eating properly.
She hadn't been sleeping well either.
Everything happening in her life—Ben, her feelings, the gossip—it was all becoming too much.
And slowly… it was turning into anxiety.
At the cafeteria—
David looked at Ben and tried to start a conversation.
David: "By the way, Ben… you're from Aves, right? How's the weather there?"
Ben nodded lightly.
Ben: "It's pretty good most days. It's usually sunny… bright. It doesn't snow there. And the beaches are really beautiful."
Then Ben glanced at both of them.
Ben: "You and Luisa… you're both from Lore, right?"
David: "Yeah, we are."
Ben: "Did you guys already know each other from before?"
David shook his head.
David: "No… I met Luisa here in Himmer."
Ben: "Oh, I see."
The conversation continued between them…
But Luisa wasn't really there.
She was sitting with them, yet her mind was somewhere else—heavy, tired, suffocating.
David noticed again.
David: "Luisa… you're not saying anything."
Luisa slowly lifted her gaze.
Inside her, everything felt like it was piling up.
Luisa (thinking): Everything is getting harder… the gossip… my feelings… I can't take this anymore…
She forced a small smile.
Luisa: "Oh… it's nothing. I'm just not feeling well."
Before they could say anything—
She stood up.
Luisa: "Bye… I have to go somewhere."
Both Ben and David looked confused.
Ben & David: "Okay… bye."
David watched her leave, concern visible in his eyes.
David: "What's wrong with her…? I hope she's okay."
Ben sighed softly.
Ben: "Yeah… she doesn't look well."
David thought about following her.
But then he stopped himself.
David (thinking): Maybe… she needs some space.
—
Luisa quickly walked away.
Her steps were fast, almost restless.
She reached the university garden and stopped near a large tree.
Taking a deep breath, she held her chest.
Luisa: "I just… can't handle all of this…"
Her voice trembled.
Luisa: "What should I do…? This is so exhausting…"
She sat down on a bench, trying to calm herself.
Just then—
A cheerful voice broke the silence.
Milly: "Oh! Hi, Luisa!"
Luisa turned and forced a soft smile.
Luisa: "Hi, Milly…"
Milly walked over and sat beside her.
Milly: "What are you doing here?"
Luisa: "Just… wanted some fresh air. What about you?"
Milly: "Same, I guess."
Both of them looked up at the sky.
It hadn't rained for a few days.
Milly: "That's good, right?"
Luisa gave a faint smile.
Luisa: "You really don't like rain, do you?"
Milly laughed.
Milly: "Yeah… I think that's all we ever talk about."
Luisa smiled slightly.
Luisa: "Maybe you're right."
After a moment—
Luisa asked,
Luisa: "By the way, what year are you in?"
Milly: "First year."
Luisa nodded.
Luisa: "First year feels different… everything is new."
Milly: "Yeah, it really is."
They sat quietly for a moment.
Then suddenly—
A voice called out.
"Hey, Milly! You're here?"
Two boys approached them.
One looked charming and friendly—Jaden.
The other was taller and quieter—Noah.
Milly stood up happily.
Milly: "Oh, hi, Jaden!"
Jaden smiled.
Jaden: "What are you doing here?"
Milly turned toward Luisa.
Milly: "Oh! By the way—this is Luisa, my friend. And Luisa, this is Jaden—my boyfriend—and his friend Noah."
Luisa felt a little awkward.
Luisa: "Hi…"
Jaden & Noah: "Hi."
Noah smiled politely.
Noah: "Nice to meet you, Luisa."
Luisa: "Nice to meet you too…"
Jaden teased Milly lightly.
Jaden: "You didn't tell me you made a new friend."
Milly laughed.
Milly: "I was going to… I just forgot."
Luisa stood there quietly.
Even though the atmosphere was light—
She still felt out of place.
Luisa stood up quietly.
Luisa: "You guys enjoy… I'll leave now."
She didn't wait for a response.
She just wanted to get away.
But just as she turned—
Noah spoke.
Noah: "Hey… wait."
Luisa paused and looked back slightly.
Noah stepped forward, slipping one hand casually into his pocket, his posture relaxed—almost too relaxed.
Noah: "I'm heading that way too. Mind if I walk with you?"
Luisa hesitated.
Luisa: "Oh… it's okay, I can—"
Noah cut her off lightly, a small smirk playing on his lips.
Noah: "Relax. I'm not kidnapping you."
Luisa blinked, a little taken aback.
Luisa: "…Okay."
They started walking together.
There was a silence at first.
Then—
Noah glanced at her from the side.
Noah: "You're not very talkative, are you?"
Luisa: "I am… just not today."
Noah chuckled softly.
Noah: "Hmm… mysterious type. I like that."
Luisa frowned slightly.
That tone—
It made her uncomfortable.
Noah continued, unfazed.
Noah: "So… Luisa, right?"
Luisa nodded.
Noah: "You don't look like the type who hangs out much."
Luisa: "I don't."
Noah: "Figures."
He looked ahead, then back at her again.
Noah: "But you're interesting."
Luisa stopped for a second.
Luisa: "Interesting…?"
Noah smiled—confident, almost teasing.
Noah: "Yeah. Quiet people usually are."
Luisa didn't know what to say.
Something about him felt… too forward.
Too casual.
Too comfortable.
Noah stepped a little closer as they walked.
Noah: "So what do you do when you're not being quiet and mysterious?"
Luisa took a small step to the side, creating distance.
Luisa: "I study."
Noah laughed.
Noah: "Of course you do."
Then, after a pause—
Noah: "You've got that 'good girl' vibe."
Luisa's grip on her bag tightened slightly.
Luisa: "I think I should go this way."
Noah glanced at the building ahead.
Noah: "Same."
Luisa felt even more uncomfortable now.
Noah looked at her again, slower this time.
Noah: "You know… most people try to impress me when they meet me."
Luisa finally looked at him properly.
Luisa: "oh that's great for you."
For a second—
Noah paused.
Then he smirked.
There was something in his eyes now—interest.
Not soft.
Not gentle.
But sharp.
Curious.
Like he had just found something new to chase.
Noah: "Let's talk again sometime, Luisa."
Luisa didn't respond.
She just nodded slightly and walked ahead faster.
Behind her—
Noah watched her go.
A faint smile on his face.
Noah (thinking): She's different…
—
From a distance—
David saw everything.
The way Noah walked beside her.
The way he leaned closer.
The way Luisa subtly moved away.
David's expression changed.
David (thinking):
Who is that guy…?