The hallway buzzed with chatter and hurried footsteps as students swarmed toward the cafeteria. The smell of fresh rice, fried chicken, curry, and warm bread filled the air. The lunch break had truly begun.
Karl and Liam walked side by side, weaving through the crowd.
"Man, it's louder than I expected," Liam said, scanning the room. "Do you want to grab food first or find a seat?"
"Let's check for seats first," Karl replied, already searching.
Then, he saw her.
Across the cafeteria, by a window that overlooked the sports ground, Steffie sat alone at a small table. Her hair was tied loosely, swaying slightly as she stirred her juice. She had already begun eating but seemed lost in thought, poking at her rice with her fork, as if distracted.
As if she felt it, she looked up.
Their eyes met.
And she smiled—just a little. A quiet, shy smile. But it was enough.
Liam followed Karl's line of sight, then grinned.
"Is that her?"
"Yup," Karl said, brushing his hair back and adjusting his collar.
"Wish me luck."
Liam laughed and gave Karl a friendly pat on the shoulder.
"You won't need it—but good luck anyway. I'll sit close by. Don't worry, I won't third-wheel. We'll have lunch together next time, alright?"
"Deal," Karl said with a grin.
Liam winked and slipped into a seat just two tables away, already pulling out his lunch.
Karl took a deep breath and walked toward Steffie's table.
---
First Lunch Together
"Hey," Karl said, stopping beside her table. "Mind if I join you?"
Steffie looked up, pretending to act casual—but the small blush on her cheeks gave her away.
"So… you found me after all."
"More like fate brought us to the same cafeteria," he joked.
She chuckled and gestured to the seat opposite her.
"Go ahead, Mr. Confident."
Karl sat down, pulling his tray closer. For a few moments, neither of them said much—they just quietly ate, stealing occasional glances at each other.
"So, you really weren't joking earlier," she said, breaking the silence.
**"You're actually trying."
"Of course,"** Karl said, smiling warmly. "I told you—I'm going to try until you fall for me."
She looked down at her food, her fingers nervously tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
"That's a dangerous game you're playing."
"Only dangerous if I'm not serious," he replied, his voice softer now.
"And I am."
Another pause. The room buzzed around them, but for the two of them, the world had quieted.
Steffie looked up at him again, eyes curious and warm.
"Let's see how long you last, Karl Wilson."
And with that, the quiet lunch between a bold junior and a shy senior began—not just as classmates, but as two people slowly stepping into something new.
From two tables away, Liam peeked over with a smile and gave Karl a discreet thumbs up.
Karl winked back.