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What could go wrong on the first day of University?
Apparently, some things could, because as Stelle was approaching the campus grounds, she received a call from her friend, a second year who was supposed to meet her.
“Sorry Stelle! I really couldn’t take time off today to show you around!” March’s panicking voice came out screaming from the phone. “I totally forgot that I had this project that I had to do, and if I fail it, I fail the entire subject!”
“Okay, I get that, but why didn’t you tell me that before I came here?” Stelle sighed with exasperation. “I have no idea where to even go from here.”
“Oh, that one’s easy. I asked my brother to meet you: his name is Dan Heng, he should be near the entrance by now.” March replied, and by God, Stelle could see it in her head how she was waving it off as if it wasn’t a big deal. “Just look for a brooding guy with dark hair. Probably reading a book or something. Okay, I really need to go, have fun!” Having said that, March ended the call.
‘Being a freshman sucks. How is she supposed to be my senior?’ At this point Stelle could only sigh and put away her phone as she finally entered the campus grounds, slowly looking around for her best friend’s brother that she had described in so little detail.
To her credit – she found him rather quickly, and March certainly didn’t lie with her description of the guy. What she failed to mention, however, is that he was absolutely stunning to look at. The ‘brooding guy’ as March has described him, was a tall and handsome young man with a beautiful and stoic face. His teal eyes were so pretty, she almost thought they were glowing. He was, indeed, reading a book, just as her friend predicted, leaning on a wall a small distance away from Stelle.
‘Oh no, he’s hot.’ She thought, before mentally smacking herself on the head to snap out of it. Remember: this was her best friend’s brother that she was thirsting over right now. ‘Get your head out of your ass, girl!’
Finally regaining some part of her self-awareness, Stelle decides to approach the young man.
“Are you, by chance, Dan Heng?” She asked as calmly as she managed, which meant ‘not very calm’. If she was lucky, he would just think she’s happy to be in a new place, and won’t question her behavior.
“Yes, I am.” He calmly answered, looking up from his book and calmly put it away. “Would that make you Stelle then?” God, even his voice was- ‘Shut it, girl!’
“Ahem. Yes.” Stelle coughed in an attempt to hide her embarrassment, caused by her own impure thoughts. “Sorry. For having to accompany me like this, I mean. March didn’t even tell me any of this until 5 minutes ago.”
“That does sound like her.” Dan Heng sighed, smiling briefly. “It’s not a problem though. I’m glad to help and I didn’t really have anything planned for today.” He finally separated himself from the wall he was leaning on and stood in front of Stelle. “Having said that – welcome to the Paperfold University.”
Hearing that, Stelle finally managed to tear her eyes away from Dan Heng and look over her surroundings. The absolutely enormous campus consisting of several buildings, each housing their own department and the dorms, sprawled out in front of her in each direction. Moreover, the entire area was swarming with students, talking, having fun, going from building to building… this was positively her vibe, which she couldn’t say about Dan Heng who looked like he didn’t like the noise all that much.
“So, where are we heading first, Master Dan Heng?” Stelle asked with a huge shit-eating grin on her face. “I want to hear your recommendations and opinions about everything here.”
“Please don’t call me that.” She may have caught a faint blush on his face, and that was all she needed. “We can save the departments for the last, as they aren’t too different from each other aside from the classes they teach.” Dan Heng started walking, leaving Stelle to catch up to him. “I have a feeling that you want to see the cafeteria first.”
“Are you insinuating that I eat too much?” She asked with feigned offence. “I didn’t expect such a low blow from you.”
“Not exactly. But I do have a feeling that you may like snacks, especially if you’re anything like March.” He shrugged. “I also don’t see you refuting this.”
Stelle never thought that she was that easy to read. Either that, or Dan Heng was just so good at reading people. Somehow, the thought didn’t sound too bad to her.
Either way, the trip to the cafeteria ended up being uneventful, even if Stelle made a mental note to try some of the stuff she’d seen there. After that, she had found herself in the place she least expected to go to – the library. Still, Stelle wasn’t surprised that Dan Heng took her there, it felt like he would be the type of person who liked being around books.
“As you can see, this is the library. It’s open every day until evening, and if you have any questions, you can either ask the librarian, or me, since I’m the librarian’s assistant. The librarian is usually here, apart from when they’re on a break. I’m here whenever I don’t have classes.” He explained, and while Stelle wasn’t the type of person who reads often, she caught herself thinking that she may just come here sometimes, and it definitely had nothing to do with Dan Heng being the librarian’s assistant. Nothing at all.
In the end, Stelle ended up simply humming in confirmation, as she took a stroll around the library with him. She just listened to Dan Heng talking about all the different sections and books in here. It was clear that he was passionate, even if most of that passion suspiciously went towards the history section of the library. Even then, Stelle found his voice soothing enough to simply listen to, no matter what he was actually talking about.
***
After the impromptu library tour, the pair rather quickly went over the different department buildings, as there weren’t much noteworthy things about them. The only dubiously useful information Stelle learned is that she didn’t share most of her classes with Dan Heng, partially because he was a second-year student. She was taking her classes in the Geography department, while he attended the History department, with a sole exception of them both signing up for Mr. Reca’s Screenwriting class. It was a nice coincidence, which Stelle had nothing against.
The campus tour itself ended near the dorms, and while Stelle almost hoped she could spend a bit more time with Dan Heng, she felt like she was about to pass out from exhaustion.
“Do you know where to go from here?” Asked Dan Heng with mild concern as it seemed that Stelle couldn’t hide her condition from him. She felt a light blush creep up her cheeks.
“Yeah, March texted me earlier, so I’ll be fine.” She waved her arm with a small laugh. “Anyway, see you later.”
“Yeah, rest well.” He nodded, slowly turning around and walking away towards the men’s dorms. Stelle watched him go for a bit, then finally turned around and entered the women’s dorms.
The first thing she noticed was a large bulletin board shaped like a train, with group photos and information stamped onto it. It looked both unique and gorgeous, not something Stelle had expected to see in a dorm. She quickly looked over the photos, smiling to herself at the happy memories that so many people here managed to create together. Walking past the board, Stelle went up the stairs to the second floor of the dorm building, ending up in front of a door leading into her room. She pushed the door open and stepped inside.
“Hello there, bestie! Did you have fun?” Correction: Her and March’s room. The girl in question was lying on top of her bed, looking up at Stelle with a shit eating grin she almost wanted to punch.
“As much as I want to punch you in the face for ditching me on my first day of Uni, I’m going to be merciful and spare you.” Stelle huffed, crossing her arms. “Don’t count on that later though. This is a one-time only offer.”
“Well, somebody seems to be in the good mood today. Spill.” Undeterred by her standoffishness, March sat up, looking at Stelle as if she just struck gold. “Does that mean you had a fun date with a certain quiet and brooding guy today?” How was this girl able to constantly become even more infuriating?
“What gave you that idea?” Stelle scoffed, trying to avoid the topic, but even she understood how futile that was. “Certainly not me not expecting that your brother was going to be so hot, which, no thanks for not telling me by the way. ‘Brooding guy’ my ass.” And now she was ranting and unable to stop herself. Great. That would give March teasing material for the rest of her days on this Earth.
“Girl, you’re so not helping yourself there.” March deadpanned. “If you have a crush on my brother, just say so. It’s not like I would be against you two dating, he’s a good guy and you’re my best friend.” She smiled.
Hearing that made Stelle stop for a second, her thoughts running a million miles per second, but she still ended up shaking her head, her face pink with a blush.
“It’s not like that! Isn’t it? We had just met after all… that would just be weird.” Apparently deciding to go through all her emotions in one evening, Stelle started sulking. “And even if I was crushing on him, why would he feel the same about me?” She sat on the bed and hugged her knees to her chest.
“If that’s what you’re worried about, then spend more time with him!” March huffed and scooted over to Stelle, hugging her shoulders. “You have a class together, and he never leaves the library in his spare time. You’ll know where to find him.”
“How do you even know that?” They gray-haired girl looked at March with surprise.
“Um, hello? Earth to Stelle?” March snapped her fingers in front of Stelle’s face. “You yourself told me your schedule, and I’m sure as hell going to know my brother’s as well.” What she said had been so obvious, Stelle instantly clammed up, embarrassed she’d missed it.
Now that she thought about it, March was right: She could naturally spend more time with Dan Heng just by attending lessons with him. And, maybe going to study in the library later. Just because she actually needed to study, okay? Even if she never used a library in her entire life before. She definitely just got serious about studying, that’s all. And getting to spend even more time with Dan Heng was just a bonus on top of that. It wasn’t the entire reason. Nothing to see here, folks.
***
Waking up next morning felt like torture.
First Stelle stayed up talking with March, and then she just couldn’t fall asleep, thinking about meeting Dan Heng today. Through sheer force of will she managed to get out of bed and drag herself to the auditorium where Mr. Reca’s class took place. As she entered the half-empty room, Stelle immediately spotted Dan Heng sitting in the middle row, book in hand, and she waved her hand at him. To Stelle’s surprise, he noticed, looking up and nodding at her, which caused Stelle to blush slightly and smile in return.
Lucky for her, the spot next to Dan Heng was free, so she headed straight there, plopping down on the seat and sprawling her limp body across the desk. Surely, it was just the most optimal seat to be in, and she wasn’t here just because it was next to Dan Heng. Yeah no, at this point even she understood that it was a total lie.
“Ugh… Why is this so difficult?” Groaned Stelle into the desk, only realizing after the fact that she did so out loud.
“Did you not sleep or something? I thought you were tired yesterday.” Asked Dan Heng, looking at her with exasperation she could feel despite her eyes being closed and facing the desk.
“I was!” She protested. “And I did sleep! Eventually…” Her voice got weaker. “I ended up talking with March a lot.”
“So, I will have to also have a word with March as well then? Got it.” Dan Heng nodded with a serious expression. “Will you be able to stay awake for the lecture? This is your first one after all.” And now he sounded concerned. ‘Great.’ She thought. ‘What would he think if he learned that you stayed up late because you were thinking about him? Get yourself together already!’
“I’ll try at least.” Stelle forced herself to sit up, groggily tearing her eyes open, and looked at Dan Heng. “I’m gonna be fine. It’s not the first time I didn’t get enough sleep.” She tried waving it off.
“And that’s what is concerning here.” The attempt was unsuccessful, as she only made him worry even more. The bell, however, saved her from being lectured by him any further. It did signify the start of the actual lecture though, which Stelle was definitely not ready for.
When the lecture actually started, Stelle had difficulties with just staying awake, much less actually listening to the material. By contrast, Dan Heng was listening with rapt attention, taking in every word of Mr. Reca. Eventually, the drowsiness won out and Stelle slipped into unconsciousness.
***
The feeling of something poking her cheek interrupted Stelle’s peaceful dream, as she once again forced herself to open her eyes, only to come face to face with Dan Heng.
Who was looking down at her.
Poking her cheek with his finger.
And the sounds of the auditorium seemed kinda muffled.
And it was kinda dark where she was lying down.
And there was something soft under her head.
That’s when the understanding hit her…
That she was sleeping on Dan Heng’s lap. Under the desk.
In less than a second Stelle’s face bore striking resemblance to a tomato as she bolted upright, thankful that it went unnoticed by Mr. Reca, who wasn’t looking their way. Her thoughts were an incoherent mess at this point, not understanding how she even managed to fall asleep on Dan Heng’s lap.
“S-sorry…” She finally managed to mumble, looking down on her desk. “I guess I still fell asleep either way, ha-ha…” Trying to laugh it off didn’t really help her embarrassment at all, unfortunately.
“Um… it’s… fine.” Dan Heng similarly mumbled in response and she could have sworn that the tips of his ears were red now.
The rest of the class went by rather quickly – it seems that Stelle slept longer than she expected to. What was the most surprising part about it is that, apparently, Dan Heng had let her sleep on his lap for almost the entire lesson, and she had no idea why. As the bell mercifully rang, releasing both of them from torture by mutual embarrassment, Stelle stood up, intending to leave the class, before she suddenly felt a hand land on her shoulder.
“So, um…” Hearing Dan Heng’s voice, she turned around. “We could… go to the library together if you want to.” He wasn’t looking at her and it almost seemed as if he was blushing. “You did end up sleeping through almost the entire lesson after all, and I could help you catch up with the material. Only if you want to, of course!” He quickly took his hand off her shoulder, and Stelle’s breath almost got caught up in her throat. Was HE inviting HER to go to the library? Did he actually want to spend time with her?
“Y-yeah! Of course, I’ll be glad to!” There was no way in hell she was going to refuse that if Dan Heng was offering, and so, she followed him to the library.
There wasn’t much small talk between them as both were still rather embarrassed after the incident in the auditorium, but the silence never became so uncomfortable as to be unbearable. Rather, for Stelle, just walking alongside Dan Heng was enough to calm her down.
Finally entering the library, the pair had settled over a table in a remote corner, sitting close to each other as Dan Heng took out his notes to walk Stelle through them. They had spent some time studying that way, with Stelle sometimes asking questions when she didn’t understand something, while Dan Heng always gave a calm explanation. It was only later that she noticed their shoulders touching. Taking a quick glance at Dan Heng, Stelle noticed a slight blush on the tip of his ears, which meant he was aware of their position as well, and yet, didn’t pull away from her.
Feeling brave, she pushed further, leaning her head against his shoulder, and felt Dan Heng shudder a bit. Once again, he didn’t pull away, nor reprimanded her for it, simply allowing Stelle to sit like that.
Neither managed to get much studying done that evening.
***
Over the course of the next few weeks both Stelle and Dan Heng managed to establish a routine between each other, which consisted of them both going to the library after their lessons ended for the day. While Dan Heng wasn’t always studying with Stelle there, since he had his duties as the librarian’s assistant, he was always making sure to stay somewhere nearby.
After exiting the library, Dan Heng always made sure to walk Stelle to her dorm building and bid her farewell there, after which Stelle went up to her room to a very smug March waiting for her.
Each day the cycle repeated, and at times, one could even see the pair simply walking around the campus, talking to each other. The distance between them shrunk with each passing day, and yet neither made a definitive move to establish or affirm the nature of their relationship. It seemed as if both were them were somewhat content with what they had, and, at the same time were afraid of somehow ruining it. This, of course, was driving March insane, which is why she finally decided to act.
March’s plan was simple: attend a party and push them together there, what could go wrong?
With preparations finally being done, the Saturday night came, and the party was on. Stelle, being somewhat of a resident troublemaker was easily convinced to attend. The real problem was Dan Heng: he simply wasn’t the type to attend loud parties. He’d always avoid them when he could, just so that he could hole up in his room to read. Still, March pulled every favor she could from him, on top of saying that Stelle will be there, which finally got him to agree to attend.
The plan went wrong almost immediately: Dan Heng for the most part kept to a corner, never really going around the venue, while Stelle ran around every place she found interesting with the grace of a wild raccoon. They barely even talked tonight! Finally deciding that she had enough, March led Stelle to the bar, hoping to get her just tipsy enough to confess to Dan Heng.
And that was when everything else went wrong.
March did not expect Stelle to be a lightweight. Not to this extent at least. After downing a couple of shots, the gray-haired girl’s mood worsened considerably, as she started to wallow in her misery: How she was embarrassed of her own inability to confess to Dan Heng, being afraid that he would reject her for some reason. She even brought up that her mother didn’t call her even once since Stelle started attending Uni, and, considering what March knew about Kafka, that sounded about right.
Figuring out that the plan wasn’t working out as expected, March decided to help Stelle get back to their room for tonight. They left the venue together, the pink-haired girl basically dragging her drunk best friend on her back. Deciding to take a shortcut, March went the direct way between the department buildings, which ended up being a grave miscalculation on her part as they bumped into a couple of drunk upperclassmen.
***
Dan Heng cursed himself for letting the pair leave his sight as he hurried out of the venue.
While he really didn’t want to attend any parties, when March mentioned that Stelle would go, he decided that he should go along at least to keep an eye on her. While he was aware that Stelle was a grown woman, capable of making her own decisions, he was also aware that she was a troublemaker with a rather short temper, which made for a volatile combination in wrong circumstances.
Dan Heng didn’t know when exactly did he start caring so much about Stelle, or letting her get away with all the stunts she pulled on him, he wasn’t so stupid as to miss the writing on the wall. He had simply wanted to take his time as to not rush into things recklessly.
Not seeing Stelle or March on the well-lit main road, he was ready to start panicking. That's when he heard a voice in the distance.
"Ugh! I'm telling you, we don't want to go with you anywhere!" It was unmistakebly March's voice, loud and beligerent, but at the same time wavering in fear. Dan Heng quickly went in the direction of the voice, concern for both his sister and Stelle spurring him on.
He turned into an alleyway between the department buildings and saw who he was looking for, as well as two visibly drunk upperclassmen towering over them. Even from this distance, and despite the darkness surrounding them, he coud see March trying to shield Stelle while unsuccessfully staring down the men, all the while the girl behind her, mostly resembling a drunken raccoon at this point, tried to move forward and get into a fighting stance - something that her wobbling limbs didn't allow in her intoxicated state.
Dan Heng saw red as he sprinted towards them, getting between the girls and the potential offenders, grabbing one man’s arm into a vice grip and staring him down with a look that would surely kill him if looks could do that. In response to that, the other man tried to drunkenly mumble something tough, before backing away as he saw the way Dan Heng looked at him. Eventually, both backed off, intimidated, and stumbled away somewhere he did not care about.
He turned towards the girls, only for both of them to immediately wrap their arms around him, terrified, but relieved.
“Uuu… I’m so glad you’re here, bro!” At this point March was on the verge of crying as she violently sniffled into Dan Heng’s shoulder. “That was so scary! I promise I won’t go out at night again!”
Stelle, on her part, only managed do mumble something incoherent into his other shoulder as she held him, trembling slightly. He tightened his own hold on both of them in return.
“Everything is going to be okay now. Let’s get both of you back to your room.”
***
Thankfully, the rest of their way back went without incident, with the trio reaching the dorm buildings unimpeded. As Dan Heng tried to send them on their way to their shared room, he felt Stelle’s arms tighten around him, refusing to let go.
“Don’t go… please…” Her voice sounded small, almost frail as she clung to him for dear life and Dan Heng simply didn’t have it in him to let go of her in this moment.
“Okay. I’ll stay for a while then.” He wrapped his arms around her and held her tight. Suddenly, he heard March’s voice.
“So, uh… She really needs you right now, bro. I’ll go distract the dorm supervisor so you can take Stelle to her room, okay?” The pink-haired girl asked her brother quietly, to which Dan Heng nodded in response.
As March went towards the dorm building, he continues holding Stelle close, occasionally patting her head lightly. Not even five minutes later, his phone pinged with a message notification from March, saying that the coast is clear. Dan Heng didn’t know what kind of trick she pulled to lead the supervisor away, nor did he really care, so he simply tugged on Stelle’s arm lightly, prompting her to follow him. He never once let go of her arm on the way to the girls’ room.
Finally, reaching the room undetected, he led Stelle to her bed and helped her sit down.
“Stelle, do you need help with anything else? Do I need to bring you anything? Food, maybe?” Dan Heng fretted over her, his voice firm but worried. In response, Stelle simply shook her head and tugged on his arm.
“Just… sit with me… please…” She pleaded with him quietly, and so he obliged, sitting down close to her.
It didn’t even take a second for Stelle to wrap her arms around Dan Heng and start sobbing into his shoulder.
“I’m sorry… It’s all because I drank so much…” She barely managed to string her words together at this point. “If I didn’t do it, March wouldn’t have to bring me here… And you wouldn’t have to chase us down to step in…” Her loud sobs echoed through the room, making it difficult to understand what she was even saying.
“Shh…” Dan Heng patted her back gently, soothing her. “It’s not your fault. People get drunk at the parties all the time. If anything, I’m the one who was supposed to keep my eyes on you to avoid something like this from happening.” He said with resignation, fully believing that this situation was a failure on his part. “I’m sorry I lost sight of you back there, and I’m sorry I took so long to reach you.”
“Don’t… Don’t apologize for that, stupid…” Stelle barely managed to say. “You’re… You’re always so good to me…” She looked up at him. “I… I love you so much, Dan Heng…”
He looked into Stelle’s eyes in surprise, feeling his face go hot at her drunken confession. Part of him wanted to reciprocate right then and there, after hearing exactly what he wanted to hear from her, but… it wouldn’t be right to do that.
“Stelle.” Dan Heng firmly placed his hands on her shoulders, pulling away slightly. “You’re drunk right now.” He looked her straight in her eyes. “I’m not rejecting you, but I want us to have this conversation when you’re thinking clearly. Please, sleep it off and we’ll talk in the morning.” His stare turned pleading, as he wanted her to understand him.
Stelle looked at Dan Heng as if he had slapped her and it hurt him to see her like that. Her expression turned into a pout soon after as she finally understood the point he was making to her. Still pouting, she laid down on her bed and held his hand.
“Then at least stay with me here. I don’t want you to go.” She said as firmly as she managed to while still drunk, to which Dan Heng only managed to sigh in exasperation. Still, he smiled and laid down next to her.
“Okay. If you want me to.”
Eventually both drifted off into a dreamless sleep
***
Once morning came, Stelle felt as if her head was about to explode.
She immediately swore to herself that it was the last time she ever drinks alcohol, not that Stelle believed this oath herself. Finally managing to force her eyes open, the ashen-haired girl looked to the side, and came face to face with Dan Heng, who was looking at her with both concern and barely noticeable amusement.
Immediately, memories of the last night returned to Stelle, as her face turned beet red with embarrassment.
“G-good morning.” She somehow managed to get the words out despite herself.
“Good morning, Stelle.” Dan Heng immediately greeted her, gently squeezing her hand in his own. “Did you sleep well?” His voice was gentle and even, barely betraying any emotion.
“Good… Thank you…” Stelle answered, trying to search his face for any clues about what he might thing right now, and, finding none, still decided to take the plunge. “So… About last night…”
“Yeah?” He asked calmly. “Are you ready to talk about it right now?” Suddenly, Stelle understood Dan Heng’s position: he was simply waiting for her to talk about it when she was ready. He gave her every opportunity to back away if she felt like doing so. This perspective immediately gave Stelle just the confidence she needed to say what she wanted to say right now.
“About last night… I meant everything I said to you. I love you, Dan Heng, I really do. And I know it’ll sound cheesy, but I think I-” She didn’t even manage to finish what she was saying before Dan Heng leaned in, claiming her lips with a gentle kiss. At that moment, Stelle’s mind went blank, and she suddenly didn’t have any other words to say as she melted into the kiss. It didn’t last too long, only a couple of seconds, but to Stelle, they seemed like a blissful eternity that came to an end when they separated.
“If you wanted to say something along the lines of: ‘I think it was love at first sight.’, then you won’t be the only one.” Dan Heng told her after they separated, his cheeks red. It dawned on Stelle that she wasn’t the only hopelessly pining soul in this relationship, and she smiled at him.
“So, does this mean we’ve both been crushing on each other like a couple of idiots instead of dating like normal people?” She asked, her voice full of amusement.
“Apparently so. I was aware on some level that you had some sort of interest in me, but…” He scratched his head. “I wanted to take more time so we could learn more about each other first. I didn’t want to rush this. Not with you.”
Somehow, Stelle managed to blush even more than she already did, realizing how serious Dan Heng was about this. He didn’t treat her like a fling, he treated her like a full commitment. If he was going to start a proper relationship with her, he was going to take it seriously. And Stelle had no objections to that.
“So, does that mean we’re finally dating now?” She asked cheekily, causing Dan Heng to smile.
“It seems so. Be warned though, I’m not letting you go any time soon.” He answered, pecking her on the nose.
“Good! You better keep your word then.” Stelle hugged him tight. “Can we just stay like this for a while? I don’t want to get up yet.”
“As much as you want to, Starlight.” Dan Heng held her in return, burying his face in her shoulder.
They didn’t leave the room for the rest of the day.