John Parker stepped onto the campus of Antoine's Baptist University for the first time with a mixture of excitement and nerves twisting inside him. Little Rock's autumn breeze carried the chatter of students, the distant ringing of the chapel bell, and the faint scent of freshcut grass. For John, a first-year business major from the small town of Watson, Arkansas, everything felt bigger, brighter, and slightly overwhelming.
His backpack hung loosely over one shoulder as he gazed up at the University Chapel's tall stained glass windows. He'd seen pictures online, but nothing compared to the way the sun ignited the colors like fire. He didn't know it then, but this campus, this very courtyard would be the place where everything in his life changed.
Moriah Bennett was late. Again.
Her curly hair bounced wildly as she ran across the courtyard clutching two books, a coffee, and her old laptop that groaned louder every time she lifted the lid. She was a sophomore music major, known for being talented, sweet, and chronically unorganized. She skidded to a stop at the chapel steps, took a deep breath, and naturally dropped her coffee.
"Seriously?" she groaned, watching mocha splash across the concrete.
John, who had been observing the campus with wide, fascinated eyes, snapped back to reality at the sound of the cup hitting the ground. Without thinking, he jogged toward her.
"You okay?" he asked.
She looked up at him with big brown eyes and a bright, embarrassed smile. "Yeah… except for the part where caffeine and gravity teamed up against me."
John knelt down, picking up the empty cup. "Rough morning?"
"Rough life," she joked, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "I'm Moriah."
"John," he replied, standing and handing her the crumpled cup.
She glanced at him, really looked at him and something in her expression softened, like recognition of a moment neither could name. "You're new here. Freshman?"
"Is it that obvious?"
"Only because you still look hopeful," she teased. "Give it a month."
He laughed, and her smile widened.
The chapel bell chimed again, reminding her she was late—very late.
"I've gotta run," she said. "But uh welcome to Antoine's Baptist University, John."
"Thanks. Hope your day gets better."
She rushed up the steps, but halfway to the door she paused, turning back.
"Hey, my friend group always eats at the student center around 1. You should come by if you're not busy."
John blinked, surprised. "Yeah. I'd like that."
"Good," she said, then vanished inside.
John stood alone again in the courtyard, but this time the campus didn't feel so overwhelmingly new.
At 1 p.m., John pushed open the doors to the student center. The room buzzed with energy, students laughing, studying, arguing about football. He scanned the crowded space until he spotted Moriah waving at him from a table in the corner.
She sat with three friends: April, a talkative nursing student; Marcus, a psychology major and the unofficial comedian of every group he stepped into; and Theo, a quiet prelaw student who mostly observed people like he was taking mental notes.
"Hey, John!" Moriah called out. "Over here!"
John slid into the empty chair beside her.
"So you survived your first morning?" she asked.
"Barely," he said. "Almost got lost twice and walked into the wrong classroom once."
"Classic freshman initiation," Marcus chimed in.
April nudged Moriah with a knowing grin. "So this is the guy you mentioned earlier?"
Moriah's cheeks flared with pink. "I didn't mention him. I just said I met someone who saved me from a caffeine meltdown."
John chuckled, though he felt his own cheeks warming.
The conversation flowed too easily. As they talked about classes, professors, campus food, and the annual Fall Praise Concert, John found himself drawn to Moriah's energy. She was warm. Funny. It's a little chaotic. And yet, there was something else beneath the surface, something she didn't say.