The next day was quieter.

Michael had only one class, Physics. He spent most of it half-focused, nodding along to the lecturer's equations, his thoughts drifting now and then. After class, he headed to the bank to sort out some account verification issues, then made his way to the library. He needed to catch up on coursework, but deep down, he also wanted the silence. The stillness of shelves and soft rustling of pages helped clear his head.

By lunchtime, hunger kicked in. He stopped by the cafeteria and ordered chips, grilled chicken, and a cold can of Coke. Nothing fancy. He took a seat near the large red glass window of the QMUL dining area, where sunlight spilled in, casting a soft hue across the tiled floor.

As he chewed slowly, eyes on the street beyond the glass, a figure walked past. Curls. A long red jacket. His breath hitched.

Was that her?

He turned his head slightly, body leaning forward but no. It wasn’t. The girl passed without a glance in his direction, and Michael exhaled, half in relief, half in disappointment. He didn’t even know her name. Just her face. Her voice. That faint scent of something sweet and clean. But she’d been on his mind since yesterday. The way she moved, confident and composed. The way she talked about that art piece. The way she smiled.

He picked at a chip, deep in thought. Should he go back tonight? Freshers Art Night — Day 2.

Later in the common area, he ran into Revi and the other guys he’d recently gotten close to. They were talking about the event already.

“You guys pulling up again tonight?” Michael asked casually, trying not to seem too eager.

Revi grinned. “Of course, man. Place was packed. Girls everywhere.”

“Definitely not missing that,” the other guy chimed in, laughter in his voice.

Michael nodded slowly. “Yeah... might head over too.”

Truthfully, it wasn’t about the event or the crowd. It was her. He wondered if she’d be there again. If maybe this time, the space between them would feel less crowded. If maybe the other men buzzing around her would back off long enough for him to get a real conversation in.

Maybe. He finished his meal quietly, the idea of seeing her again already tugging at him.

Sarah slipped into a cream, armless knee-length gown that hugged her figure more than she had intended. It was modest in theory , no plunging neckline, no sparkles but the way the fabric clung to her curves made her second-guess her choice. Still, it was nothing dramatic. She applied her pink lip gloss, letting her curls fall down her shoulders freely, and gave her reflection a long look. Her skin, warm and golden from the light body oil she had used, glowed against the neutral tone of her dress.

She grabbed her jacket. At least this will cover some of it, she thought. The goal tonight was to look good, yes, but not invite another swarm of lusty, tone-deaf men.

Thankfully, she arrived at the gallery just in time. Tonight was different , structured. There’d be a guest speaker, a well-known name in the local art scene, and Isiah, the manager, was already around, making his rounds and giving updates to the staff.

Good,Sarah thought, taking a deep breath as she stepped inside. No silly conversations. No fake flirting. No one asking for my number.

She straightened her spine, adjusted her jacket, and walked in. She spotted Isiah near one of the Installations.

“Right on time,” Isiah said, appearing beside her with a clipboard and a quick smile. “I was just about to check on that piece from yesterday. You remember the custom canvas by the entrance? You were the one who handled that sale, right?”

Sarah nodded. “Yeah. He paid in full. Said he’d come to pick it up sometime this week. Didn’t leave a specific date, just asked that we hold onto it.”

Isiah scribbled something on his clipboard. “Noted. Good work on that, by the way.”

Before she could respond, Alice popped in beside her, all bright eyes and chatter. “Okay, you look stunning. Again. Are you trying to outdress the artwork?”

Sarah laughed lightly. “Trust me, this was toned down.”

Alice narrowed her eyes, smirking. “Toned down? You’re glowing.”

“I’m just trying to avoid all the wrong attention tonight,” Sarah said, her voice quieter now. “Yesterday was a circus.”

Alice nodded. “Yeah, I saw how those guys were hovering. But tonight’s different. Isiah’s here. Plus, we’ve got that guest artist coming, remember?”

“Right,” Sarah replied, glancing around. “So there’ll be actual structure.”

She pulled on her jacket but didn’t zip it up, the gallery lights were warm anyway. As she walked toward her assigned post near the side hall, she caught herself scanning the crowd. Not looking for anyone in particular. Just… observing.

Later in the evening, Michael arrived at the gallery with Revi and the rest of the guys. The second day of Freshers Art Night was just as lively, if not more. The outside courtyard buzzed with music, laughter, and energy. Students gathered around food stands, spinning wheels, light installations, and quirky art-themed booths.

Michael smiled faintly but his mind wasn’t entirely present. As Revi cracked a joke about getting free drinks twice from the same stand, Michael laughed, then told them he’d catch up later.

“Don’t go buying another painting, Mr Mysterious,” Revi teased.

Michael shook his head with a chuckle and wandered toward the gallery doors, pushing them open slowly.

Inside, the energy shifted..calmer, more intimate. The lighting was warm, the art glowing under soft white fixtures. But Michael wasn’t paying attention to any of the new pieces. His eyes searched for her.

Nothing.

He took a slow breath. Maybe she’s not here today… or she’s already gone.

He lingered near the hallway that led to the smaller gallery rooms, unsure of what he was even looking for.

Then...there she was. She didn’t see him, but he saw her clearly.

She was moving across the room, clipboard in hand, her cream gown hugging her figure in a way that was entirely distracting. Her curls bounced lightly with every step, her focus sharp, her posture commanding. She looked completely in her element talking to a co-worker, then directing someone to adjust a frame on the wall.

Michael felt himself freeze for a second. He didn’t know what it was, but something about watching her like this tugged something deep. She looked soft, radiant… and a little tired too. Like she’d been working nonstop.

Why is someone this beautiful running around like this? he thought. She should be in front of the art, not behind it.

He stuffed his hands in his pockets, unsure whether to approach. She seemed busy. Really busy.

He leaned slightly against a pillar, pretending to glance at a sculpture while stealing looks at her. Should I say hi? Would she even remember me? The memory of their brief exchange yesterday came flooding back, the way her eyes met his, curious and calm. The way she smiled without trying.

She still hadn’t noticed him.

He took a deep breath, unsure whether to wait, speak, or just admire from a distance again.

He decided to just admire from where he was, pretending to study a nearby sculpture but his eyes kept drifting back to her. His heart sped up when suddenly, she looked up and caught his gaze. For a moment, time seemed to slow. He quickly straightened his posture, running a hand through his hair to look a bit less caught off guard.

Sarah noticed him too. At once, the professional in her kicked in. He must be here to collect the piece, she thought. With a calm but friendly smile, she walked over.

“Hey,” she greeted softly, trying to sound casual though her pulse quickened. “Are you here to pick up the artwork?”

He returned her greeting, a little nervous himself. “Yeah… not quite yet though.”

She cocked an eyebrow, curious. “Not ready to take it?”

He hesitated, unsure how to explain. Instead, he let his eyes wander to her again before asking quietly, “Are you a student here?”

“Yeah,” she replied, brushing a loose curl behind her ear.

He was about to ask more about her course, what she liked about art, when a voice called from nearby.

“Sarah, we need you outside now,” Isiah’s tone was firm but not unkind.

Michael noticed the man approaching. The way Sarah immediately stood straighter and nodded told him this was someone important. Her boss, he realized.

Isiah gave Michael a quick nod as he passed by.

“Time to get ready,” Sarah said, glancing at Michael with an apologetic smile. “The guest speaker arrives in two minutes. Everyone’s heading outside.”

They both moved toward the main entrance, joining the flow of students and staff.

Outside, the courtyard was buzzing. Michael spotted Revi and a couple of other friends , Alex and Jamal laughing near a food stall. He slipped into their circle, but his eyes kept drifting back toward the gallery doors.

Sarah stayed toward the far side, helping organize the seating and directing the crowd. Michael’s gaze found her immediately and held fast. Something strong, unspoken, was building between them.

From the corner of her eye, Sarah caught his stare. Their eyes locked for a brief, intense moment. She quickly looked away, cheeks warming with a shy smile that she hoped went unnoticed.

A hush fell as the guest speaker stepped onto the small stage.

“Good evening, everyone,” the speaker began, his voice steady and warm. “Art is not just about what you see, but how it makes you feel. Tonight, as you explore the pieces around you, I encourage you to think about the stories behind them, the passion, the struggles, the dreams. Let art challenge you, inspire you, and most importantly, let it connect you.”

Michael listened, but his thoughts were tangled up in the image of Sarah, her smile, the way her hair caught the light, the quiet strength in her eyes.

After the speech, the room buzzed with quiet excitement and thoughtful murmurs. Sarah stays close to the edge, tidying up brochures and arranging chairs as the guests start to mingle. Michael lingers near the exit, catching glimpses of her between conversations.

Their eyes meet again...this time longer. Sarah looks away again.

Music returned. The “charades” station kicked off near the entrance. Isiah had left, and now staff could mingle freely.

Alice dragged Sarah toward the game booth, laughing. “We need to have fun too!”

Sarah finally loosened up, playing along. She caught Michael watching her again, this time from a corner near the drinks stand. He looked… smitten? And shy.

A staff photographer snapped a photo of her mid-laugh. Then another one with Alice.

For a brief moment, as the music played and laughter floated in the air, Sarah let herself forget the men from yesterday. She just looked at Michael.

And he looked right back.