A Familiar Face

A Familiar Face
I was walking along the corridor of the Business Administration department, on Monday in the afternoon, my backpack hanging from one shoulder, when I saw Bruce coming from the opposite direction.

He noticed me at almost the same time.

We smiled.

"Hey, Crane."

"Bruce."

When we met, we shook hands.

"How have your classes been?" he asked.

"Pretty good. Busy, though."

He nodded knowingly.

"That's university for you."

"Exactly."

He glanced around the corridor.

"I'm still getting used to everything."

"You'll get there."

"I think so."

I gave him a polite smile, I could imagine how strange it must have been to suddenly become part of a new community.

"And how are you adjusting?" I asked. "To the town, I mean."

"Pretty well." He shrugged his shoulders and smiled.

"The town is growing on me. The university too. Everyone has been welcoming."

"That's good."

"I still haven't seen much of the place outside campus, though."

"There's plenty to see."

"That's actually why I wanted to ask you something."

I looked at him.

"If you wouldn't mind, maybe you could take me around sometime."

"Sure."

"Maybe next weekend?"

I considered it for a moment.

"Yeah, that's okay."

"Great."

He smiled.

"I'd appreciate it. Just a few places you think someone new should know."

"Of course."

I glanced at my phone.

I had another class soon.

"I've got to run, I have a Marketing lecture."

"Right. Don't let me keep you."

"Good seeing you."

"You too."

We shook hands again, and I headed down the narrow path toward the Marketing department.

The afternoon sun was bright, and students were moving in every direction. Some were walking quickly with books pressed against their chests, while others stood around talking before their next lectures.

I checked the time.

I still had a few minutes.

When I reached the lecture theater, several students were already taking their seats. I found a place near the middle and dropped my backpack beside my chair.

I pulled out my phone.

Today was going to be one of those days.

My classes would keep me busy until evening, and I knew the same was true for Elias too.

I opened my messages and typed a quick note.

Hey, love. Hope your day is going well. Don't forget to eat something, and don't work yourself too hard. I'll see you this evening. ❤️

I read it once before sending it.

A small smile appeared on my face.

I slipped my phone back into my pocket.

"Hey."

I looked up.

Tiana was standing beside the empty seat next to me.

"Hi, Tiana."

She smiled brightly and sat down on the seat next to mine.

Tiana had been getting closer to me since last semester. She was one of those people who seemed to attract attention without trying. She was smart, confident, attractive, and always seemed to know exactly what she wanted.

She also seemed determined to make me notice her.

"You're always so serious," she said.

I smiled.

"Am I?"

"Yes."

"I don't think so."

"You are."

She leaned slightly toward me.

"I think you need to relax."

I chuckled.

"I'm relaxed."

"That's not what your face says."

"My face has a lot to say, apparently."

She laughed.

I smiled politely.

There was something almost endearing about the way she kept trying.

And sometimes I felt sorry for her.

Not because there was anything wrong with her.

Quite the opposite.

Tiana was the kind of woman many guys would have considered impossible to ignore. She was beautiful, intelligent, and confident enough to walk into a room without needing anyone's approval.

In another life, perhaps things might have been different.

If I were still the person I'd once believed myself to be, I might have pursued her.

I might have wondered what it would be like to take her out.

But that wasn't my life anymore.

And it wasn't something I regretted.

Still, I didn't want to embarrass her.

"How's your term paper going?" I asked.

She smiled.

"Almost done."

"Good."

"You could help me."

"With what?"

"Everything."

I laughed.

"That's a lot to ask."

"You're good at this stuff."

"I'm surviving."

"You're modest too."

"I try."

She looked at me for a moment.

"You know, I've been trying to get you to take me seriously for a long time."

I smiled awkwardly.

"I take you seriously."

"Not in the way I want."

I didn't know what to say to that, so I just looked on smiling like I didn't understand what she meant.

Fortunately, the professor walked into the lecture theater.

The room gradually became quiet.

Tiana opened her notebook.

I pulled out mine.

"Saved by the professor," I muttered under my breath.

She smiled.

"Are you talking to me?"

I shook my head,”no not you. Don't mind me. Sometimes I think aloud.”

I quickly looked away to the front.
The professor began the lecture, and I focused on my notes.

Yet for a moment, my thoughts drifted elsewhere.

The semester was moving quickly.

There were exams ahead, term papers and assignments to be completed.

I didn't know what the future would bring.

But as I wrote down the
first point from the lecture, I found myself strangely grateful for the life I already had.

I had my studies.

My ambitions.

My family.

And Elias, my sweet partner waiting for me at the end of each day.

For now, that was enough.

.