The Rejected Luna

Chapter 7

_Avery's POV_

The first day of college had arrived, and I was a bundle of nerves. The campus was buzzing with students, everyone rushing to find their classes or chatting in small groups. I clutched my schedule in one hand, my backpack hanging heavily on my shoulder, but I had no idea where to go. I had attended the orientation session, but somehow, all the information about building numbers and classroom locations had slipped from my mind.

I took a deep breath, looking around, hoping for a sign or a map, something to guide me. But as I started to walk, trying to remember which way to go, I ended up going in circles. My cheeks flushed with embarrassment as I realized I had passed the same bench at least three times. Then, as I turned a corner, lost in my thoughts, I crashed into something solid.

Or rather… someone.

“Ouch!” I exclaimed as I stumbled backward, dropping my bag. I quickly looked up, feeling my cheeks go hot with embarrassment.

It wasn’t a wall. It was a guy—a tall, well-built guy with a friendly expression and piercing blue eyes. His blonde hair caught the sunlight, and he had an easy smile on his face.

“Whoa! I’m so sorry,” he said, bending down to help pick up my things that had scattered on the ground.

I shook my head quickly, feeling flustered. “No, no, it’s my fault. I wasn’t looking where I was going.”

He handed me my notebook and offered a friendly smile. “Well, in that case, I guess we’re both partly to blame. This place is like a maze.”

I laughed nervously, grateful he didn’t seem annoyed. “It really is. I think I’ve been walking in circles.”

He straightened up, holding out his hand to help me stand. “I’m Liam, by the way.”

I took his hand, feeling a small spark of relief at his kindness. “I’m Avery.”

Liam’s smile grew as he looked at me, a glimmer of recognition in his eyes. “Avery, huh? So… are you a freshman too?”

“Yes, I am,” I replied, feeling a little less nervous now. “I’m here for electrical engineering. And you?”

His smile brightened even more. “No way. I’m studying the same course! Looks like we’re classmates.”

My heart lifted at his words. I had found someone from my course on my very first day. Maybe things wouldn’t be as lonely as I had feared. “Really? That’s great! I was actually just looking for our first class, but, well…” I trailed off, glancing around with an embarrassed smile.

Liam laughed softly, nodding. “Don’t worry. I had to look at the map about ten times to figure it out. It’s over in Building C, Room 210. I can walk you there if you want?”

“Thank you! That would be a lifesaver,” I replied, my nerves finally settling.

As we walked, Liam and I kept chatting. He had an easygoing energy, and it was nice to talk to someone who didn’t seem in a rush.

“So, Avery, why engineering?” he asked, glancing over at me with genuine curiosity.

I shrugged, smiling. “I’ve always been interested in how things work, especially with electricity and circuits. I want to create things that can make a difference in people’s lives. I guess I want to solve problems, make things better, you know?”

Liam nodded thoughtfully. “That is a good reason. I actually have a similar goal. I’ve always loved building things, taking stuff apart and putting it back together. My dad is an engineer too, so I guess it’s in the family.”

“That is amazing,” I said, feeling a warm connection as we talked. “Do you have any projects you have worked on?”

He grinned, looking a little sheepish. “I tried to build a robot last year… It didn’t exactly work, but it was fun to try. Maybe I’ll get it right this year.”

I laughed. “I’d love to see that robot someday, even if it’s just a work in progress.”

He chuckled, and we reached the classroom. He gestured to the door, letting me walk in first. “Here we are. Room 210. We made it without getting lost again.”

I looked around the room, feeling a rush of excitement as I took in the rows of desks, the whiteboard, and the few other students who were already sitting down. I turned to Liam, giving him a grateful smile.

“Thank you for helping me. I don’t know how long it would have taken me to find it on my own.”

He shrugged, looking relaxed. “Hey, that’s what classmates are for, right? Besides, it’s nice to have someone to talk to on the first day.”

I nodded, and we found seats next to each other. As we settled in, the professor came in and started introducing the course. I felt a wave of excitement as he talked about the projects we would work on, the labs, and everything we would be learning this semester.

After class ended, Liam turned to me with a grin. “So, what do you think? Still excited to be an engineer?”

I laughed, feeling a little more confident. “Absolutely. And maybe a little overwhelmed too. But it sounds like it’s going to be amazing.”

He nodded in agreement. “Same here. So, do you want to grab a coffee? There is a café on campus that I heard is pretty good.”

My heart warmed at his offer. “I would love that, thank you. It’ll give me a chance to get to know the campus better too.”

As we walked to the café, our conversation flowed easily. He told me about his family, how he had a little sister who was always getting into mischief, and I shared a bit about my own background, though I left out the part about my pack and Kaden. For now, I wanted to keep that part of my life private.

When we finally sat down with our coffees, he asked me, “So, have you been to Sweden before? Or is this your first time?”

“It’s my first time,” I replied, taking a sip. “The landscape here is so different from home. I’ve never seen so much snow or such beautiful mountains.”

He nodded, smiling. “It’s a pretty amazing place. I think you’re going to love it here. And hey, if you ever want a tour, just let me know. I would be happy to show you around.”

I felt a warmth spread through me at his offer. “Thank you, Liam. I appreciate it.”

The afternoon flew by, filled with easy laughter and friendly conversation. For the first time in a long time, I felt a sense of peace, like I was exactly where I was supposed to be. Maybe this new life wouldn’t be so lonely after all.