By the seventh week, I had settled into a rhythm.
Wake up. Read. Lectures. Practicals. Library. Sleep. Repeat. It wasn't exciting, but it was safe. No distractions. No detours. Just me and Pharmacy and the quiet, lonely business of surviving.
Then Daniel walked into the room one evening and disrupted everything.
"There's a gathering tomorrow," he said, collapsing onto his bed. "A linkage thing. Some group is putting together people for an awareness campaign. My friend sent me the location. You're coming."
"I don't do gatherings."
"You do now."
"I have a practical report to submit."
"You have all week to submit it."
I opened my mouth to argue further, but Daniel gave me that look — the one that said I've watched you mope around for weeks and I'm not taking no for an answer.
So I went.
---
The venue was an open pavilion near the student center. By the time we arrived, a small crowd had already gathered — students from different levels, different departments. Some sat on plastic chairs, others stood in small clusters, talking and laughing. The organizers hadn't fully arrived yet, so everyone was just mingling.
Daniel spotted a friend and wandered off, leaving me standing near a pillar, feeling like the odd one out.
That's when I noticed them.
Two girls standing a few feet away, talking to each other. They were both light-skinned, with similar energy — easy smiles, open body language, the kind of people who made a space feel less intimidating just by being in it.
One was slightly taller, with her hair in a loose bun. The other had her hair down, with a small backpack slung over one shoulder.
They caught me looking.
Not in a bad way. The taller one just raised an eyebrow and said, "You look lost."
"First year," I admitted.
"Ah," the other girl said, nodding like this explained everything. "That's the look."
"What look?"
The taller one grinned. "The 'I don't know anyone here and I want to go back to my room' look."
I laughed despite myself. "Is it that obvious?"
"Very," they said in unison, then looked at each other and burst out laughing.
---
"I'm Chloe," the taller one said, extending her hand. "Radiology. 200 level."
"I'm Sophie," the other said, doing the same. "Human Dietetics. Also 200 level."
I shook both. "Pharmacy. 100 level."
"Pharmacy," Chloe repeated, nodding. "Tough course. But you'll survive."
"That's what I keep telling myself."
Sophie smiled. "It's not all bad. At least you'll know how to prescribe yourself something when the stress gets to you."
I laughed. "Fair point."
---
The gathering finally started. The organizers explained that we'd be shooting a short awareness video — something about health and wellness to share online. Everyone would be involved, either on camera or behind it.
I almost stepped back. Being on camera wasn't really my thing.
But Sophie turned to me and said, "You should do it. It'll be fun."
Something about the way she said it — easy, encouraging — made me stay.
---
We shot the video in shifts. Different groups delivered different lines, held up signs, stood in formation. It was chaotic but fun. Someone kept messing up their line. Someone else kept laughing at the wrong moment.
At some point, Sophie and I ended up next to each other for a scene.
"Try to look serious," she whispered, her arm brushing mine.
"I am serious."
"You look like you're thinking about food."
I bit back a laugh. "Maybe I am."
She grinned. "Focus, Pharmacy boy."
Chloe was a few feet away, holding a sign and trying not to laugh at the director's instructions. She caught my eye and gave me a thumbs up. Just a simple, friendly gesture. Nothing more.
---
After the video shoot wrapped up, people started taking pictures.
Someone brought out a phone with a good camera, and suddenly everyone wanted group shots. I was about to slip away when Sophie called out to me.
"Wait! You haven't taken any pictures."
"I'm not really a picture person."
She walked over to me. "Well, you should be."
She said it softly. Not pushy. Just... sincere.
We took a few group shots with Chloe and some others. Then Sophie stepped back and said, "Let me take one of you alone."
I hesitated. But she was already raising her phone.
"Just relax," she said. "You don't have to pose."
She took three or four shots, then lowered the phone and looked at the screen.
A smile spread across her face.
"You're photogenic," she said.
I blinked. "What?"
"Photogenic," she repeated, turning the phone to show me. "Look."
I looked. It was just me — standing under the evening sky, hands in my pockets, looking more relaxed than I felt. But it wasn't a bad picture. It was actually... decent.
"That's not bad," I admitted.
"Not bad?" She laughed — a light, easy sound. "That's a really good picture of you."
Chloe walked over and peeked at the screen. "Oh, nice shot," she said casually. Then she looked at me. "You clean up well."
"Thanks," I said.
Sophie was still holding the phone, still looking at the picture. "You should smile more. It works for you."
I didn't know what to say to that. So I just stood there, feeling something warm settle in my chest.
---
We took a few more photos after that group shots, silly ones. Chloe suggested a few poses, kept the energy light and fun. She was easy to be around. No pressure. No weirdness. Just a genuinely nice person.
But Sophie — Sophie was different. There was something about the way she looked at me when she spoke. Like she was actually listening. Like I mattered.
---
When the last pictures were taken and the group started to break apart, I pulled out my phone.
"Chloe, let me get your number," I said. "In case I have questions about stuff. You know, since you're the experienced 200-level one."
She laughed. "Experienced? I'm just one year ahead of you."
"Still counts."
She nodded and recited her number. I typed it in and pocketed my phone.
"Cool," I said. Then I glanced at Sophie, then back at Chloe. Chloe caught the look and smiled a small, knowing smile. She didn't say anything. She just nodded slightly, like I get it.
"I'll head off," Chloe said. "Sophie, you coming?"
"In a minute," Sophie said.
Chloe walked away, disappearing into the crowd. And just like that, it was the two of us.
Sophie tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Today was fun."
"Yeah," I said. "It was."
"You should come to more things."
"Maybe I will."
She smiled that small, warm smile again. "Good."
There was a pause. Not awkward. Just... full.
Then she said, "I'll see you around, Pharmacy boy."
And she turned and walked away, joining Chloe near the exit.
I stood there for a moment, watching her go.
---
That night, lying in bed, I thought about the day.
Chloe was cool. Friendly. The kind of person who makes a new place feel warm. I was glad I got her number.
But Sophie... Sophie was something else.
Sophie, with her easy laugh and her warm smile. Sophie, who said I was photogenic. Sophie, who looked at me like she actually saw me.
I didn't text anyone. Didn't want to seem eager.
But I smiled in the darkness.
Daniel snored softly across the room.
And somewhere in my chest, the weight that had been sitting there for weeks felt just a little bit lighter.
Not gone. But lighter.
Maybe that was enough for now.