Sebastian Reinhardt's POV
I was walking toward Frost Amphitheater, checking my phone to make sure I wouldn't get lost. I had arrived early at the venue but decided to take a walk before the concert started. I didn't want to look overly eager or interested in social events like these, though honestly, all I was looking for was some fresh air before facing the crowd.
As I strolled down one of the paths leading to Lagunita Lake, something caught my attention. In the distance, by the lake's edge, I saw a girl with loose brown hair. She was standing with her back to me, gazing at the water with an expression I couldn't see, but which I imagined was lost—almost melancholic. I stopped for a few seconds, watching her without moving. There was something about that image that felt strangely familiar.
Then I realized. It was her. Ellie. The girl from this morning. Same beige sweatshirt, same simple jeans and white sneakers. She hadn't changed a bit since I'd seen her at the café hours ago.
I surprised myself with the sudden urge to approach. Normally, I didnadn't engage with strangers, much less with someone so… unassuming. But this time was different. Maybe it was because I still felt I owed her a favor. Or maybe it was because that scene—her alone by the lake, calm and quiet—had stirred something in me that I couldn't quite understand.
I walked toward her slowly, my steps softly crunching over the gravel path. When I got close enough, I broke the silence with a confident tone—the same one I always used when trying to impress or dominate a conversation.
"This is a good place to lose yourself in thoughts," I commented, gesturing toward the lake. "Though it's not exactly comparable to some of the most famous lakes in Europe. I've been to places like Lake Como in Italy or Bled in Slovenia. They're truly spectacular, though I suppose this one has its local charm."
Ellie didn't respond right away. She kept staring at the water as if she had barely heard me. Her posture didn't change, and that slightly unsettled me. Usually, when I spoke, people reacted—nodding, smiling, even faking interest. But she just stayed there, absorbed in her own thoughts.
Finally, she turned her head toward me. Her light eyes glanced at me briefly before returning to the lake. Then she looked down, as if evaluating something internally, and lifted her gaze again.
I don't know what to think, I wondered. Did I say something wrong? Was it possible my comment about European lakes came off as arrogant? I didn't think so. It was just a fact. I had been to those places and knew them well. But her reaction—or lack thereof—left me momentarily speechless.
I decided to change the subject. After all, I had come here for a specific reason.
"You're Ellie, right?" I asked, though I already knew the answer.
She nodded, but still said nothing.
—I'm the guy from the coffee this morning, he continued, feeling slightly uneasy under her silence—. The one who forgot his wallet.
This time, I finally got a reaction. Ellie smiled faintly, and that smile completely transformed her expression. It was warm, genuine, and something about it made me feel… strange. It wasn't a sensation I often experienced.
"I know," she responded finally, her voice soft but clear. "Thank you for coming to talk to me."
"In reality, I came because I wanted to return the favor," I quickly explained, trying to regain control of the situation. "You know, for the coffee. I don't like owing things to anyone. So I thought I could… do something for you."
Ellie looked directly at me for the first time, and her smile widened just a little more.
"That's really not necessary," she said calmly. "Your gratitude is more than enough."
Her words caught me off guard. I hadn't expected that response. No one had ever told me something like that before. Usually, people tried to take advantage of any opportunity to get something in return. But Ellie seemed sincere. There were no hidden intentions in her tone or in her eyes.
For a moment, I stayed silent. I wasn't used to feeling puzzled, but something about her was making me doubt my usual confidence. I decided to formally introduce myself, as if that might balance whatever was happening between us.
"Still, I think I should properly introduce myself," I said, straightening my posture. "I'm Sebastian Reinhardt."
I expected some kind of reaction at the mention of my last name. Reinhardt was a name that opened doors in Germany and across much of Europe. My family carried influence, power, and money, and people usually responded with admiration or nervousness upon hearing it.
But Ellie simply tilted her head slightly, as if it were just another name.
"Ellie Miller," she replied, extending her hand toward me.
I shook it, noticing how her grip was firm yet gentle. Miller. A simple, common surname. Nothing extraordinary. Nothing remarkable.
"What are you doing here?" I asked, trying to keep the conversation flowing. "I thought everyone would already be at the amphitheater by now."
"My friends are there," she explained, vaguely pointing toward Frost Amphitheater. "But this lake caught my eye. I wanted to see it before joining them."
I nodded, though I didn't fully grasp her fascination with such a modest place. To me, there were far more impressive landscapes around the world. And yet, something in the way she spoke of the lake made me reconsider my judgment. Maybe not everything had to be about grandeur or fame.
"Well, if you'd like, we could go to the concert together," I offered, feeling it was the right thing to do after receiving her kindness this morning. "I don't want you to miss the event just because you got stuck staring at the water."
Ellie hesitated for a second. She looked toward the path leading to the amphitheater, then back at me.
"I think I'll meet up with my friends," she said finally. "But thanks for the offer. I'm sure they'd love to meet you too."
I frowned slightly, taken aback by her suggestion. I wasn't used to having my company so easily declined. Plus, the idea of mingling with her friends—likely ordinary, average people—didn't excite me at all.
"I don't think that's necessary," I replied dryly. "I prefer going on my own."
Ellie nodded, not appearing offended by my tone.
"That's fine. We'll see each other later, maybe."
She gave me a small smile before starting to walk toward the amphitheater. I watched her leave, wondering what exactly had just happened. I had never felt so disconnected from someone, so unable to read their motivations or emotions.
I took one final glance at the lake before disappearing into the trees. Meanwhile, I remained there for a few more minutes, trying to process what had just occurred.
In the end, I decided to continue toward the concert. I didn't want to arrive late or seem distracted. But as I walked, I couldn't stop thinking about Ellie. About her simplicity. About her kindness. And about how, somehow, she had managed to disarm me without even trying.
When I arrived at Frost Amphitheater, the music had already begun. I sat in a secluded corner, watching the crowd enjoy the show. But my mind remained at the lake—with the girl I had met just hours ago.
Maybe Stanford won't be as predictable as I thought.