After I got home, he invaded my thoughts like he paid rent there.
"Focus, Eerika," I told myself. "Maybe he's not your destiny. If he is, you'll meet him again."
Then I sighed.
Yeah… but I shouldn't give up that easily.
At least I deserved to know one thing—was he single or not?
The next week drowned me in reality. Research papers. Deadlines. Endless literature reviews. I was so busy that I almost forgot about him. Almost.
One evening, after hours of nonstop studying in the library, I stepped out to grab a coffee. My brain was fried, my eyes hurt, and my soul needed caffeine.
On my way back, something bright flashed in front of me—so bright it almost blinded me.
Him.
Of course it was him.
This time, he was wearing an olive-green T-shirt and beige baggy pants. His wavy hair caught the light like it was styled by destiny itself. Pinterest aesthetic boy. Walking mood board. Unreal.
My heart? Gone.
My brain? Offline.
But thankfully—thank God—I didn't get the chance to embarrass myself this time. He wasn't alone. His friends surrounded him, laughing, talking, completely blocking any opportunity for me to humiliate myself publicly.
So what did I do instead?
I eavesdropped.
Yes.
Like a criminal.
"Why, girl? WHY?" my conscience screamed.
"What would they think if they noticed you?"
But did I stop?
Absolutely not.
I sacrificed my self-respect and edged closer, pretending to be extremely interested in absolutely nothing, just to catch bits of their conversation. Research. This was research.
I was so focused on listening that I didn't realize how close I'd gotten.
Until one of his friends noticed me.
He frowned and said, "Uh… excuse me? Are you—"
My soul left my body.
I was doomed. Completely. Social death confirmed.
And then—
like a miracle sent from heaven—
"EERIKA! There you are!"
My best friend Nina appeared out of nowhere.
"I've been looking for you in the library," she said loudly.
I could've cried.
Thinking fast, I blurted out, "Oh! Yeah—actually I came for coffee but I think I lost one of my earrings."
Nina blinked. "What? What are you saying, Eerika?"
I grabbed her arm instantly. "Never mind. Let's go. Maybe I lost it inside the library."
Before she could question me further, I dragged her away, my face burning with embarrassment. I didn't dare look back.
Behind us, one of the tall guy's friends frowned.
"Did you notice that girl?" he asked. "She was acting kind of strange. Like she was trying to hear our conversation."
Another one laughed. "Is she a stalker or what?"
"Whatever," someone shrugged. "Who cares."
But then—
he spoke.
"Eerika," he said, a smirk curling on his lips. "That's her name, right?"
His eyes sparkled with something unreadable.
"Seems like I'm going to see her more often now."
And just like that…
I knew.
This wasn't a coincidence anymore.