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The bell rang. The lecture was over. Olivia hugged her books to her chest, the strap of her black school bag cutting across her shoulder. She adjusted her glasses and set off at her usual brisk pace down the corridor, avoiding eye contact with anyone who passed.

“Hey—you!” A voice called out behind her, breathless.

She turned slightly, just as a boy caught up, his hair falling over his forehead. He looked as though he’d run the whole way.

“Are you… heading down to the canteen?” he asked between breaths.

“Yes,” she answered, glancing at him quickly before looking back ahead.

“Mind if I walk with you?” His voice softened, and this time he managed a smile—hesitant, but sweet.

Olivia hesitated, then nodded. “It’s alright.”

Her pace slowed. His smile widened. "So, what's your major?" He asked. "Engineering," she replied quietly, "Mechanical".

"Oh... but you take sculpture class, too?"

"Ah, yes. My escape." The corners of her lips lifting into the briefest of smiles.

They are both very quiet people. Olivia, probably nervous than being quiet. "My name's Bryan." He quickly introduced once they are settled in the cafe. "I study Fine Arts." Only then, they both realized they haven't introduced each other yet. "I'm Olivia. You've already known my major".

"Ah yes. You are right." He replied with a smile and his eyes fixed on his food. They ate in companionable silence for a while. The chattering of the canteen around them filling in what their words couldn't. Bryan cleared his throat softly. "Do you ... uh... usually go straight home after lectures?" She looked at him. " Most of the time, why?"

He shifted in his seat, leaned over a bit. With a small, inviting smile with his eyebrows raised, he said, "I was thinking maybe sometimes, we could take a walk in the evening. I live in town. But I like taking walks so if you don't mind, I'd like to accompany you."