Episode 1 : The Spark

They walked under a canopy of amber foliage and naked branches. The crisp fall wind flickered and plucked the remaining leaves, which swayed and swirled onto the maroon bricks that paved the walkways. The dried-out leaves gave a satisfying crunch as their footsteps fell. One of the steps was nonchalant, and the other came more rapidly as if to keep up.

She grasped onto her notebooks and binder, wrapping her arms around them tightly. Although her sky blue cashmere sweater should have provided ample warmth, she was still cold. The wind, picking up, caught onto one end of her scarf, but she didn’t mind. Her attention was on his eyes.

He spoke passionately about the Renaissance artists. When he got excited, his sentences would end on a slightly higher note, which she found endearing. In between, he stole glances at her, hoping that an engineering student like her was interested in an art history major like him. He caught himself almost losing his train of thought a few times because of her emerald eyes and flowing brunette locks. Nonetheless, he went on.

Suddenly, she leaned in and placed a kiss on his lips. It was over as soon as it began. She quickly pulled back, and a wave of anxiety washed over her.

He wore a perplexed look, and she couldn’t decipher the meaning. Did she overstep her boundaries, or did he like it? She had a dozen questions. Slowly, a smile emerged on his face. He slipped his arm behind her waist and pulled her in. It made her rosy cheeks blush even more. He looked deep into her eyes as if asking for permission. Then he moved in, and they held on for nearly a minute.

After pulling away from each other, they walked quietly, hand in hand, across the courtyard. Both of them were in shock of their own spontaneity and their feelings being reciprocated. Upon reaching their dorms, they mumbled a few parting words and went their separate ways.