ABIGAIL'S POV
Today
marks a week since I started working at crystal restaurant. Honestly, it's been
a mix of good and stressful, but I keep reminding myself it's worth it.
Balancing work with school feels like walking a tightrope, but every paycheck
makes the exhaustion a little easier to bear.
I
haven't been sticking around after school lately. It's not that I skip
classes, I wouldn't dare. The lectures are too important; they make up forty
percent of my grades. Still, my absence after hours hasn't gone unnoticed.
Aria, my best friend, calls me almost every evening, and I miss her more than I
can say. She's been complaining about how little time we spend together, and
honestly, I don't blame her. Before this job, we used to hang out after
lectures, talking about everything and nothing, grabbing coffee, or just
wandering campus. Now, the moment my last class ends, I'm sprinting to work
like my life depends on it.
I
haven't made any new friends since this routine started—it feels like I barely
have time to breathe, let alone socialize. And Aria? She's always been a little
introverted, but she trusted me to be her constant. Without me there, she's
alone, and the thought makes my chest ache with guilt.
Then
there's Ryan. I miss him too, even though he doesn't call much. He's always
been more distant, harder to read. But every once in a while, he surprises me—a
random text or a small gesture that reminds me he's still thinking of me. I
wish I had more time for both of them, but between work and school, my life
feels like a constant balancing act.
I
wonder how long I can keep this up before something gives.
"Abi,
it's your last alarm, wake up!" Nova's voice pulled me from my restless sleep.
I
groaned, burying my face deeper into the pillow. "Five more minutes!"
"You
said that ten minutes ago!" she replied, exasperated but amused. "You told me
you have a lecture at nine, and it's 8:30 now."
My
eyes flew open. "Oh my God, I forgot!"
I
leapt out of bed, hugged her quickly, and dashed to the bathroom. As I splashed
cold water on my face, I could still feel the weight of exhaustion pressing
down on me. It felt like I'd only slept two hours. Between work and studying,
my nights had started to blur into my mornings.
Fifteen
minutes later, I was dressed and out the door. My go-to outfit of jeans and a
blouse saved me time, and since I rarely wore makeup, I didn't waste a second
there either. It wasn't that I didn't like makeup—I just didn't feel
comfortable in it. People still complimented me, though, and I believed them
when they said I was beautiful. My oval face, smooth dark brown complexion, and
naturally thick lashes were enough for me.m
By
the time I arrived at class, the lecture hall was filling quickly. Aria and
Ryan weren't there yet, which was strange. Sliding into a seat near the middle,
I tried not to think too much about it.
"Hello,"
a voice said beside me.
I
glanced over to see a guy smiling at me. "Hi," I replied, polite but curt.
"Are
you a fresher? I haven't seen you before," he asked.
"Yeah,"
I said shortly, hoping to end the conversation. Thankfully, he nodded and
turned to his phone.
But
then curiosity got the better of me, I decided to see what he looked liked.
The
moment I turned to look at home, I regretted my earlier indifference. He wasn't
just good-looking, he was breathtaking. His sharp jawline, slightly tousled
brown hair, and the way his eyes seemed to gleam under the fluorescent
classroom lights left me momentarily dazed.
"Hello,
are you with me?" he said, a hint of amusement in his voice as he waved a hand
in front of my face.
I
blinked, mortified that he'd caught me staring. "oh! Sorry. What did you say
again?
"I
asked what your major is," he repeated, a small smile tugging at his lip.
"Engineering,"
I replied quickly, focusing on my notebook to avoid looking at him again.
His
eyebrows lifted slightly, impressed. "same here. I'm in my sophomore year."
"Really?"
I asked, trying to sound casual. "that's cool."
He
leaned back in his chair, his posture effortlessly confident. "yeah, it's
intense, but you get used to it. Do you like it so far?"
I
hesitated for a second, before admitting, "it's… challenging."
He
chuckled softly, his laugh warm and reassuring. "yeah, that sounds right. But
hey, if you ever need tips or help, I'm around, first year can be brutal."
"Thanks,"
I muttered, suddenly feeling self-conscious. This isn't anything, I reminded
myself. I'm just here to get through the day, not to get caught up in some guy.
We
chatted for a few minutes, mostly about school and how overwhelming first year
courses could be. I didn't mind the distraction, but it wasn't anything more.
When
the lecturer announced the group activity, I secretly hoped I wouldn't end up
with him—it would be too easy to get distracted my him. But fate had other
plans. "look like we are partners," he said with a smile.
I
nodded, forcing myself to concentrate on the task at hand rather than his
perfectly structured sentences and effortless charm.
As
we briefly discussed the project and the plans to meet, I tried to keep my
attention on the work. But even then, I couldn't shake the feeling of his
presence. He seemed effortless, so at ease. It was almost… too easy to get
distracted.
"By
the way, I didn't get your name," he said as we packed up.
"Abigail,"
I replied, offering a quick smile before quickly turning my attention to the
papers in front of me.