Chen (辰)

After a few minutes, the bell rang and the students began to return to their classrooms.

Chen entered with Caio and sat in his usual spot at the back of the room.

"Still thinking about that girl?" Caio teased.

• No.

He doesn't even know her name.

So what?

Caio laughed.

— Nothing. I just thought it was funny that you were staring at someone so much.

Chen was about to answer, but the door to the room opened.

The coordinator went in first.

— Everyone, today you'll have a new person accompanying the class. She's doing an internship here at the university and, during this period, will be responsible for some of your classes.

Chen looked up.

The same girl from the hallway entered right behind her.

For a few seconds, he remained silent.

Caio looked at Chen and immediately noticed his expression.

"I don't believe it..." he murmured.

Chen ignored the comment.

The coordinator continued:

I want you all to welcome the new intern warmly.

She then stepped away, leaving the young woman in front of the class.

Good morning. My name is Yuna. I hope we can have a good relationship during classes.

Chen rested his arm on the table and continued looking at her.

Caio leaned discreetly towards him.

— You just found out she's going to be teaching us.

Chen gave a small smile.

It seems so.

— And you're not going to stop staring?

Chen glanced back at the notebook, trying to hide his reaction.

I wasn't even looking.

Caio held back a laugh.

• Of course.

At the front of the classroom, Yuna began preparing the materials for the first lesson.

Chen opened the notebook.

But, for the first time, he was more interested in finding out who this new intern was than in the class itself.

The university was bustling that morning. Students chatted in the hallways while waiting for classes to begin.

Amidst all the commotion was Chen, one of the most popular students at the university. He was known for his confident personality and his white hair, which made him stand out even more.

Many girls had already tried to get close to him. Some even dreamed of catching his attention.

But Chen had never shown interest in any of them.

His best friend, Caio, was already tired of asking the same question.

— Dude, are you never going to like anyone?

Chen shrugged, relaxed.

• I don't think so.

— You say that because you haven't found anyone interesting yet.

Chen let out a small laugh.

— And where do you think I'm going to find that person?

Before Caio could answer, some students began looking towards the entrance of the hallway.

A young woman had just arrived, accompanied by the coordinator. She was carrying a folder and some books against her chest.

She was the new intern, who would begin attending some classes at that university.

Chen looked at her for a few seconds.

This time, however, he did not look away immediately.

Caio realized.

— Oh...

Chen kept looking.

• What?

You're looking at her.

Chen finally looked away.

I just thought she was pretty.

Caio smiled.

"I just thought she was pretty," right?

Stop talking nonsense.

Chen tried to refocus his attention on the other students' conversation, but his eyes kept returning to the girl.

He didn't even know her name yet.

I didn't know how long she would stay at that university.

But, for the first time, someone had managed to pique his curiosity.

And perhaps that was the beginning of something Chen never expected to feel.