Her phone buzzed on the table, lighting up with a message from the committee group chat. Lyra grabbed it right away and opened the thread.
Adam: Hey, the food vendor's asking if the layout's final. Any updates? They need to lock things in so they can prep.
She exhaled through her nose. Technically, the layout wasn't her job, but this vendor was tied to a sponsor—so she couldn't exactly ignore it.
Without wasting time, she typed a reply: The layout's still being tweaked a bit. I'll check in with the logistics team and get back to you ASAP.
It didn't take long before Adam responded again: Alright, don't take too long. They're kind of in a rush.
Right then, Mei jumped in: By the way, Lyra, if you need help with the vendors, just say the word. You've looked kinda drained lately :')
Lyra let out a small snort. The chat was supposed to be all business, but Mei never failed to drop in something casual like that.
I'm good, thanks.
Short, clear, and straight to the point—typical of Lyra when she was tired and in no mood to chat.
Not even a few seconds passed before Mei replied again.
Seconds later, Mei was back at it: You sure? I don't want you fainting on festival day or something. Don't push yourself—we've got more than one person on the team :D
Then Adam jumped in: Chill, Mei, give her a break. You're gonna stress her out more, lol...
Lyra allowed herself a tiny smile, eyes still glued to the screen. The workload was a lot—but at least she wasn't doing this alone. Their team had her back, and that made all the difference.
She closed the chat, packed her stuff, and stood. There were still a ton of things to finalize, and no time to waste. With quick, steady steps, she made her way toward the room where the rest of the committee had gathered.
But halfway there, a weight crept into her chest.
And it had nothing to do with work.
It was something she'd been trying to shove to the back of her mind all day.
Her thoughts drifted to Walter's invite after class. They were close—it should've been simple. But for some reason, it stuck with her.
She gave a tiny shake of her head, brushing the thought aside. 'Focus, Lyra,' she told herself.
This wasn't the time for feelings. Not when a whole festival was riding on her shoulders.
With a steady breath, she pushed forward.
--------
By the time lunch rolled around, the campus café was buzzing with students looking to escape lectures for a while. Suzie sat at a table near the window, lazily spinning her straw in her drink while waiting. Normally, she'd be here with her friends, but today—five minutes in—and no one had shown up.
The bell above the door chimed softly. A familiar voice followed.
"All by yourself?"
She glanced up to find Walter standing beside her. Dressed in a white tee and a denim jacket, he looked as effortlessly chill as ever. "Sorry I'm late…" he said as he slid into the seat across from her.
"Just you? Arlo bailed?" he asked.
Suzie sighed and dropped the straw back into her glass. "Yeah… probably buried in some anatomy thing. Or working on a case report. Classic Arlo."
Walter gave a knowing nod."Med school life. Brutal."
She leaned back in her chair, letting out a breath. "Well, you're here. That's all I need." She flashed him a wide smile. "What about Lyra?"
He took a quick sip from the drink she'd already ordered for him."Still drowning in festival prep. She looked totally wiped this morning."
Suzie rolled her eyes with a smirk."Guess it's just us, then." She propped her chin on her hand, grinning."Honestly? Kinda perfect. Feels like a real date."
Walter laughed under his breath."Careful, Lyra and Arlo might start feeling left out."
"Let 'em," Suzie said, half-teasing."They're busy. We're not ditching them forever—just stealing a quiet lunch while we can."
Walter shook his head, amused. He'd long gotten used to her playful side—and he wouldn't trade it for anything.
"Fair enough," he said with a smile. "Let's grab food before the line gets insane."
Suzie lit up and reached for the menu.
--------
After double-checking a few details with the logistics team, Lyra returned to her desk in the sponsorship division. Her laptop screen displayed a list of vendors and sponsors she still needed to contact—some were waiting on final confirmation about their booths and branding exposure for Nova Fest.
Her fingers danced quickly across the keyboard, drafting formal but efficient emails. The committee room buzzed with activity, yet Lyra was so focused she barely noticed. The noise around her faded into a distant hum beneath her busy thoughts.
Her concentration broke when a familiar voice came from behind. "Don't take yourself too seriously, or you'll age faster."
Lyra sighed and glanced over with a blank look. "Of course, it's you."
Robin leaned casually against the desk next to hers, arms crossed as his eyes flicked to her laptop screen. "So, how's it going? Got any updates on the media partners and main sponsors?" His tone was light—like he didn't really care but wanted to check anyway.
"Working on it," Lyra replied curtly without looking away.
Robin raised an eyebrow. "Efficient. But don't burn yourself out. The event's still a few weeks away. If you crash now, who's going to save Nova Fest?"
Lyra finally turned, expression flat. "You sound just like Mei now."
Robin chuckled softly. "That's good, right? Means I'm empathetic."
"Empathetic, huh?" Lyra snorted. "Didn't expect you to care."
Robin shrugged nonchalantly. "It's not about caring. I just don't want the whole thing to fall apart because someone on the team passed out."
Before she could reply, Robin suddenly reached out and handed her a cold drink and a small pack of snacks. "Here, take this."
Lyra stared at the items, confused. "What's this?"
"Food and drink, obviously," Robin said casually. "You've been sitting there for nearly two hours without a break. At least eat something before you turn into a robot."
Lyra hesitated for a moment, but her empty stomach made the decision easy. She accepted the drink without protest. "Thanks."
Maybe it was fatigue, or maybe she'd just gotten used to Robin's constant teasing, but she hadn't responded to his usual baiting all this time.
Robin grinned. "Wow, a thank you? That's rare. Should've recorded it."
Lyra sighed and took a sip of the cold drink, ignoring his teasing. The chill was refreshing, calming her just a bit.
Robin watched her for a moment before saying, "okay, if you need help, just say so. Don't try to be a hero alone."
This time, Lyra paused. Despite how often Robin annoyed her with his endless comments, somehow his words felt genuine.
Instead of thanking him again, she just nodded slowly. "Noted."
Robin smiled faintly and pushed off the desk. "Alright, I've got class soon. Don't overwork yourself."
As he walked away, Lyra turned back to her laptop. That brief exchange—plus the small gesture from Robin—somehow lightened the weight she'd been carrying.
But she wouldn't admit it. Not just yet.
--------
The soundproof door clicked softly as Robin pushed it open with one hand and stepped inside. The glow from several large monitors cut through the dim room, where a few people were busy with their tasks.
Acoustic foam lined the walls, muffling sounds so the only noise was the tapping of keyboards and the hum of computer fans.
Robin tossed his bag onto a table and sighed before stretching out his limbs. It had been a long day, but at least he'd knocked out most of his work.
Nelson, sitting near the camera storage rack, glanced up briefly before returning to his laptop. "You were gone a while," he commented.
Robin pulled out a chair and flopped down. "Stopped by the café, then took a walk. Needed some fresh air."
Nelson snorted. "Fresh air or avoiding work?"
"Both," Robin admitted with a grin.
Nelson just shook his head and went back to his screen. Robin, curious, leaned closer. "What're you working on?"
"Documentation proposal for that assignment," Nelson said casually, leaning back. "We're developing a cinematic storytelling approach for a documentary video. The goal is to capture the emotions and dynamics of the process, not just a boring old report."
Robin whistled softly. "Sounds awesome. No wonder you're handling it."
Nelson shrugged, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Plus, it's part of the production class. Kill two birds with one stone."
Robin nodded appreciatively. "Smart move. I need to learn that trick."
"You're lucky, you get to use the festival tomorrow for your project." Nelson grumbled for a moment, then glanced at his friend. "So, how's it going? Still busy?"
Robin raised an eyebrow, not quite catching where Nelson was headed."Busy with what?"
Nelson smirked, leaning back comfortably. "Oh, you know… that thing that's been eating up your time lately. Or more precisely, someone."
Robin snorted. "If you're trying to flirt, you might want to be more specific."
Nelson chuckled softly before dropping the name he'd been holding back. "Lyra."
Robin sighed dramatically, like he couldn't believe his friend was bringing it up. "You really have nothing better to do, huh?"
Nelson shrugged with a satisfied grin. "Just curious. I've noticed you spending a lot of time around her lately. You even went to her division earlier, right?"
The taller guy huffed, folding his arms. "That's nothing. Just making sure the event runs smoothly. Besides, you know Lyra's a perfectionist. If she crashes from overwork, the whole committee suffers."
The short, slightly wavy-haired guy nodded, feigning deep understanding. "Sure, sure. So you're helping for the committee's sake, not because you care about her?"
Robin rolled his eyes. "Exactly like Mei. Why's everyone so keen to tease me about this?"
Nelson laughed, enjoying Robin's discomfort. "Because your reaction is priceless when you try to deny it."
"Even in your own division, you rarely take a break… Seriously, are you media & publicity or sponsorship?" Nelson pressed.
Robin shook his head slowly, grabbing a bottle of water from the nearest table and taking a sip before answering. "Assume what you want. I'm not interested in going deeper."
Nelson still grinned mischievously but raised his hands in surrender. "Alright, alright. But if you suddenly start hanging out in sponsorship for no clear reason, don't say I didn't warn you."
Robin just snorted but secretly knew Nelson had a point.
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The anatomy lab buzzed with the sound of footsteps and hushed student chatter. At one of the tables, Arlo sat focused, eyes glued to the thick textbook open before him. A plastic human anatomy model rested beside him, while his right hand diligently jotted down key points in his notebook.
"Have you finished the anatomy report yet?" asked a student sitting across from him.
Arlo nodded without looking up. "Almost. Just need to add some analysis on the musculoskeletal system."
His friend, a bespectacled guy named Evan, sighed. "You're always one step ahead. I haven't even finished the first part."
Arlo closed his book briefly and glanced up. "If you want, I can help explain. This topic's pretty complex, especially the joints."
Evan thought for a moment, then nodded. "That'd be great. I don't want to mess up explaining it during the exam."
Before Arlo could start, another student, Miya, approached carrying a cup of coffee. "You guys have been serious since morning," she said as she took the empty chair next to them. "You should take a break sometimes."
Arlo smiled faintly. "If we slack off now, we'll regret it come exam time."
Miya snorted. "You sound like a professor."
As they chatted, a lecturer entered, and the room fell quiet. Everyone settled into position, ready for the practical session.
Arlo took a deep breath, clearing his mind. Though the schedule was packed, he was used to this pace. Being a med student wasn't easy, but he enjoyed it.
When the lecturer started speaking, Arlo pushed distractions aside and prepared for the day's lesson.
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After nearly two hours in the multimedia room, Robin and Nelson finally wrapped up their work. Nelson stretched lazily while his friend closed his laptop with a relieved sigh.
"I can't believe we're done," Robin said, glancing at his phone's clock. "Feels like I've been sitting here all day."
His buddy chuckled. "That's communication student life for you. If we're not busy filming, we're editing."
Robin stood, grabbing his jacket off the chair. "Well, time to celebrate this temporary freedom. I'm starving."
The guy in the oversized hoodie nodded. "Same here. How about we grab something to eat before heading home?"
Robin patted Nelson's shoulder. "Good idea."
They left the multimedia room and strolled down the now quiet campus corridor. Outside, the sky had darkened, with only a few students still around.
As they passed a small garden near the main building, Nelson suddenly slowed. His eyes caught a familiar figure walking alone, focused on her phone. Without hesitation, he called out.
"Lyra!"
The girl looked up, startled at hearing her name. When she saw the two guys approaching, she sighed softly and slipped her phone into her bag.
"You're still on campus?" she asked.
Nelson shrugged casually. "We just finished in multimedia. Going to grab dinner. You?"
Lyra tapped her shoulder bag lightly. "Just got out of a meeting after checking on some things."
Robin gave her a quick once-over. "Not eating dinner first?"
Lyra hesitated for a moment, then shook her head. "No plans yet."
Nelson grinned. "Well then, how about we eat together? Better than you going home hungry."
Lyra looked at them for a beat, seeming unsure. But seeing Nelson's big smile and Robin's usual laid-back expression, she sighed quietly and nodded.
"Alright."
Nelson clapped his hands softly. "Great! Let's find a good place to eat."
Robin smiled faintly and followed them.
"Hey, at least call me with some respect. I'm still your senior, you know…" Lyra grumbled, shooting Nelson a mock glare.
The shorter guy chuckled, unfazed. "But didn't you give him Robin permission to call you whatever he wants?"
Lyra snorted. "That's because he's stubborn…"
Robin just shrugged. "And you gave up trying to change me, right?"
Lyra glanced at Robin briefly but said nothing. Nelson laughed quietly at their banter and slipped his hand into his jacket pocket.
"Alright, alright. I'll be more polite… Senior Lyra," he teased, emphasizing the last word.
She just sighed, choosing to ignore her underclassman's antics.
Robin, who had been silent, finally spoke. "Anyway, where are we go?"
Nelson rubbed his chin, pretending to think hard. "How about the ramen spot near campus? I heard they've got new menu items."
Lyra nodded slightly. "Sounds like a good idea."
Robin agreed, and the three of them headed to the ramen shop at a relaxed pace. What started as a night meant for individual busyness slowly turned into a warmer, lighter gathering.
--------
The medical lab door creaked softly as Arlo pushed it open. The cooler night air greeted him, easing some of the fatigue that had built up throughout the day. The sky was dark, lit only by street lamps and the faint glow from the campus buildings still illuminated.
He glanced at his watch. Almost eight in the evening. Time seemed to fly when he was buried in his lab work.
As he made his way toward the parking lot, his pace slowed when he spotted someone sitting on a bench near the administration building.
Lyra.
But she wasn't alone—two unfamiliar figures stood beside her.
"Hey…" Arlo called out, waving at his friend. "You still here?"
Lyra turned, briefly startled before settling back into her usual expression. "Oh, Arlo... I just finished handling some sponsor division stuff."
Arlo approached. "The festival's still a few weeks away, right? You're pushing yourself too hard."
Lyra smiled faintly. "I don't like procrastinating."
He nodded knowingly. He was the same—preferring to finish things early—but seeing Lyra looking worn out, he thought she could use a break.
Then, his eyes shifted to the two guys standing next to her. "And who are these?"
Nelson answered first with a wide grin. "Hey, senior… uh, Arlo? Nice to meet you…"
The med student furrowed his brow briefly, then ignored the comment and turned back to Lyra. "Have you eaten dinner yet?"
Lyra paused before shaking her head. "Not yet."
Arlo sighed softly. "You sound just like a med student."
Lyra gave a faint smile. "Well then, that means we have something in common."
Before Arlo could respond, another voice broke the silence.
"Hey, why are you ignoring me? Are you two having a secret rendezvous?" Nelson interrupted, teasing them.
Lyra snorted quietly. "Don't be ridiculous."
Nelson looked at them with a mischievous grin, as if daring them. "Hmm… then how about we all just grab dinner together before heading home?"
Arlo blinked, puzzled.
"Coincidentally, Robin and I were also heading to the new ramen place that just opened. We ran into Lyra... and now her friend. Why not all go together?" Nelson added.
Arlo glanced at Lyra, silently asking for her approval. She sighed lightly but shrugged. "Sounds not bad."
Robin, who had been quiet, nodded and patted Nelson's shoulder. "Good. Let's go before it gets crowded."
So, without any prior plan, the four of them walked together toward the eatery, spending the night with light conversation and unexpected laughter.
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*** TO BE CONTINUE ***