(Sandra’s POV)

I sighed and shook my head. I would not let this ruin my entire day. I had to go now and find where my classes would be.

Unluckily, I found out later that those two bitches happened to be my classmates in the first subject of my morning classes. I was just relieved when some of my classes were in different courses and classrooms so I wouldn’t be able to see them anymore.

I was an irregular student with back subjects, and thus, irregular schedules were expected.

Looking back, Lucas was in his third year of college when I first met him, and it was the last quarter of my freshman year. We dated the first few months of my sophomore year. He was my first love and the only man I allowed in my life. When he proposed marriage to me after a few months of dating, I immediately agreed because I knew in my heart that I wanted to marry no one but him. I was certain that he was the one for me, and I would not look for anybody else because I was already content and happy having him. I was aware we were still both young, but I never made it an issue not to accept his proposal. We also used to talk that after we married and even though we already lived together, we would still finish our studies.

He was only twenty-one, and at that time, he took up Fine Arts. On the other hand, I was nineteen back then, madly in love with him. At that young age, I already dreamed of becoming a housewife for the very man I had dreamed of marrying. However, a tragic event happened, resulting in my dreams getting shattered into pieces. He left me forever while I remained alive, yet wounded because memories of us together kept haunting me each day.

I sighed as I stood at the classroom door where my last subject for the morning classes would be. It was a Biology class I wasn’t able to finish after I dropped out and detached myself from everything when Lucas died. After the tragedy that took him from me, I just felt like I lost interest in everything. All I did was to jail myself inside my room, hug my pillows, stay in my bed, crying and praying that one day he would come back to me to ease all the pain away.

Six years had passed, and I knew I had to let him go. It would not be easy, but I should choose the path of healing…

At the moment, I was twenty-four years old, and old enough if compared to my new-generation classmates, but age shouldn’t hinder my way to getting up and succeeding, right?

I opened the door, and almost everyone’s eyes turned to look at me. I realized that the class was already starting and I was late for a few minutes…

“Hello?” the female teacher asked. Good thing she looked smiling and nice, and not a terror.

Although I was feeling a bit shy, I asked about my class number, and she confirmed it.

“I’m sorry I was a few minutes late.”

“It’s okay. Get in. We just started so no problem. Anyway, it will be a good idea if you go here in front to introduce yourself so we would all know you.”

I nodded, followed, and stood in front.

When I looked at my classmates, I was completely surprised to see that the guy I had mistook for Lucas in the corridor earlier was actually here in this class, too! And he was with his group of friends! They were sitting at the back.

Wait, are they going to be my classmates?!

My eyes stayed at their group. The two girls whispered something towards each other while they looked my way. The wavy medium-length hair seemed to be confused, but at the same time amazed, the snub one looked and grinned lazily as if she was both annoyed and bored. The big bro figure was serious as always, and lastly, the playful guy was tapping Paul’s shoulder while whispering something to his friend.

I was suddenly intimidated and distracted, especially looking at Paul’s intense eyes staring into mine.

“H-hello, everyone. I am Cassandra Moore, but you can simply call me Sandra. I’m a second-year student, taking up BioChemistry.” I stuttered, and I hated his effect on me!

I should not be affected, but I couldn’t help getting distracted! He really looked a lot like Lucas!

“Nice to meet you, Sandra, and welcome to your Biology class. Please find a seat now.”

I nodded and silently walked to find a seat that had not yet been occupied. However, I was unlucky because the only seat left unused was the chair next to Paul Maddison! Damn it!

I hesitated whether to go there and occupy it, but then what choice did I have?

When my eyes landed again on him, I saw he was still looking at me. Wait, was he even blinking?

I avoided his gaze and went to the only available chair. I didn’t want to make a scene or create a conclusion and confusion for the folks here, and besides, I didn’t want to cause a distraction for the whole class, too, so I just really gained the courage deep inside and got seated.

I pretended to be all eyes and ears to the lessons the teacher was discussing in front, but the truth was, I really knew that Paul was still looking at me. I could feel as if his eyes were burning into my soul. I did a side-eye to subtly check if I was right, and yeah, I was really never wrong. I knew, too, that he knew I could feel he was staring at me, and he didn’t seem to mind.

What a rude way to distract me! How insensitive!