The Start

The sun shone brightly as the world welcomed another day. Rays of sunlight streamed into the bedroom, casting a warm glow as the alarm clock on the bedside table rang, signalling its owner to wake up.

"Hmm…" A slender hand reached out, lazily shutting off the alarm. Beneath the soft covers, Kayla Montemayor stirred, her long jet-black hair spilling over the pillows as she blinked drowsily against the morning light.

Remembering that she had morning classes, she reluctantly got out of bed. After stretching for a moment, she neatly arranged the sheets before walking toward the bathroom in a slow, swaying motion. She brushed her teeth quickly before stepping into the shower for a brief but refreshing bath.

Her entire morning routine took only thirty minutes. Once she was certain she looked presentable, she glanced at the mirror one last time before stepping out of her bedroom. Despite setting an alarm, she had no time to cook or eat breakfast, so she grabbed a banana from the fruit bowl before rushing out the door and navigating through the morning traffic.

Fortunately, her school was only a twenty-minute ride from her apartment, allowing her to barely make it to her morning class. As she hurried inside the room, she sighed in relief upon realizing the professor had not yet arrived. She made her way to a seat by the window, where another student was already sitting.

"I presume your alarm went off early, but you still took an extra ten minutes of sleep?" a cheery voice teased as soon as Kayla reached her desk. She turned to her friend, Laura, who had easily guessed what had happened.

"Thank god the professor isn't here yet. I barely made it." Kayla chuckled as she sat down.

Laura seemed ready to lecture her about time management but simply sighed and let it go. "Next time, set your alarm ten minutes earlier. That way, you can have extra sleep without running late."

"Got it!" Kayla grinned, giving her a thumbs-up, grateful as ever for her friend's advice.

Before they could continue their conversation, the classroom door swung open, and the professor strode in with a stack of books in hand. A hush fell over the room as students scrambled to take their seats, signalling the start of the lecture. Kayla and Laura exchanged a quick glance before deciding to cut their conversation short.

The next two hours passed in a steady rhythm as the professor delved into the fundamentals, his voice echoing through the lecture hall. The occasional scratching of pens against notebooks and the rhythmic tapping of fingers on laptop keyboards filled the air as students diligently took notes. Some sat upright, fully engaged, while others struggled to fight off drowsiness, heads resting in their hands.

Kayla did her best to stay focused, but as the minutes dragged on, she found her mind drifting. The morning rush had left her feeling sluggish, and despite her best efforts, she occasionally found herself gazing out the window, watching the trees sway gently in the breeze. A sharp cough from the professor pulled her back into reality, and she quickly straightened up, determined to at least retain the key points of the lecture.

At the front of the room, the professor clapped his hands together, drawing the students' attention. "Alright, class. That wraps up our semester. I hope you all have a fantastic summer break. Stay safe, and I'll see some of you next term."

A chorus of cheers and relieved sighs filled the room as students began packing their things. As the semester came to a close, the final class of the day carried a different kind of energy. The once-tense atmosphere of looming deadlines and exams had now been replaced with excitement and relief. Students whispered eagerly among themselves, discussing their summer plans, while others took one last glance at their notes, as if saying farewell to the academic grind.

Kayla stretched her arms and leaned back in her chair, a small smile playing on her lips. It was hard to believe that the semester had flown by so quickly. She glanced at Laura, who was already doodling in her notebook, clearly checked out of the lecture.

"Can you believe it?" Laura whispered, nudging Kayla's arm. "After today, we're officially free."

Kayla chuckled. "Finally! No more early alarms and sleepless nights over assignments."

Kayla exhaled, feeling a weight lift off her shoulders. As she slung her bag over her shoulder, Laura grinned at her.

"So, what's the plan? How are we celebrating our newfound freedom?"

Kayla laughed, feeling the excitement bubble inside her. "Let's grab some food first then we'll figure it out."

Kayla and her friend made their way to the cafeteria, weaving through the bustling hallways filled with students eager to escape the confines of the classroom. Laughter and chatter echoed around them as groups of friends discussed their summer plans, the air buzzing with excitement.

As they entered the cafeteria, the rich aroma of freshly baked bread and sizzling food filled their senses. The line at the food counter was long, but neither of them minded. When it was their turn, they quickly ordered the usual and went to find some seats.

"So… how was your weekend? Heard you got one from the Maths department." Kayla inquired about her friends' current romantic situation as soon as she sat down. She put her tray in the table and did not immediately start eating, while Laura, sitting in the opposite table, gave her a smirk and started eating.

"Yeah. We're seeing each other. Trying to test if we could work out." Laura responded after taking a few bites.

"Why do you always have to get into situationships… Don't you find that annoying?" Kayla sighed and took a bite before continuing. "Why don't you get into a real relationship this time."

Laura just laughed when she heard her friends' words. "Life is meant to be enjoyed to the fullest."

"Even so…" Kayla argued.

"Hey! I'm not a hopeless romantic like you are. This kind of lifestyle suits me better. You on the other hand…" Laura teased.

"Aren't you lonely being alone?"

"No. I never felt lonely." Kayla's reply made the atmosphere in the table solemn and serious. "Rather, I feel excited waiting for the right person."

Laura was silent for a while. Watching the dreamy look in Kayla's eyes as she spoke about love and waiting for the right guy like it was the most magical thing in the world. She knew just how much of a hopeless romantic her friend was—always believing in fate, grand gestures, and the kind of love that felt written in the stars. To Kayla, every fleeting glance held meaning, every coincidence was a sign, and every love story, no matter how tragic, was worth chasing. She held onto the idea that one day, love would find her in the most breathtaking way, just like in the novels she adored.

Laura, on the other hand, was the complete opposite. She saw love as temporary, fleeting—something to enjoy in the moment but never to be tied down by. She had no patience for sappy love stories or waiting for "the one." Instead, she embraced the thrill of various dates, casual flings, and the occasional one-night stand, unbothered by the idea of commitment. To her, love wasn't about destiny; it was about experience. And yet, despite their differences, she admired Kayla's unwavering belief in something so pure—no matter how unrealistic it seemed to her.

"All right. I respect your decision. Whatever happens, I'm right here." Laura smiled as she ate. Kayla also laughs at how her friend easily surrendered whenever the topic was about serious love.

The two quickly finished their lunch. Kayla and Laura stepped out of the cafeteria, the warm afternoon sun casting a golden hue over the campus. Since it was still too early to head home, they agreed to visit the nearby shopping mall to pass the time.