The students gathered in the gymnasium of Nixon State University, their voices echoing throughout the space. Suddenly, the microphone let out a sharp screech, silencing the crowd as everyone turned their attention to the stage.
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There, standing confidently, was the university president accompanied by eight unfamiliar faces: three girls and five boys, all wearing neatly pressed uniforms and name tags that hinted at the university they came from.
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The three girls stood with graceful poise. One had long, wavy chestnut hair cascading over her shoulders, her warm brown eyes scanning the crowd curiously. Beside her was a girl with sharp features and jet-black hair tied into a sleek ponytail; she held herself with quiet confidence and calm authority. The third had a soft, doll-like appearance with shoulder-length auburn curls and a gentle smile that never seemed to leave her face—like she carried sunshine with her.
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The five boys presented a contrast of personalities. One of them, tall and broad-shouldered, had a playful grin and tousled dark hair that made him look effortlessly cool. Another wore round glasses, adjusting them nervously as he glanced at the audience, his overall demeanor reserved but thoughtful. A third had dyed silver-blond hair and sharp blue eyes, standing straight with an almost military air of discipline. The fourth had a boy-next-door charm—messy brown hair, a dimpled smile, and a relaxed stance that made him instantly approachable. The last one stood a bit apart from the rest, quiet but observant, with raven-black hair falling slightly into his eyes and a journal tucked under his arm.
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“Students, help me welcome the guests from The State University, who will be joining our chosen students in one of the most prestigious exchange programs. They are among the lucky few selected to experience this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
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“So now, let me call out their assigned departments,” the girl with a gentle expression said as she handed the university president a piece of paper.
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“Oh! A round of applause for the Department of Communication juniors!” he announced with enthusiasm.
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The gym erupted in cheers and applause as the spotlight turned to a group of students, their faces lighting up with surprise and excitement.
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Meanwhile, at the bleachers where the junior Communication students were gathered, the energy was electric. They were on their feet, shouting, clapping, and cheering as if their favorite team had just won a championship.
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"That's us!" someone screamed, waving their hands wildly in the air.
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"Department of Comm, represent!" another shouted, pumping their fist.
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Laughter, excited chatter, and chants echoed across the gym as the department basked in the spotlight, proud to be recognized and thrilled to meet the new faces who would soon walk among them.
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Amid the celebration, one student seated quietly among the others smiled faintly as her friends hugged her tightly. But her attention shifted, eyes drawn instinctively to the stage. Her gaze locked onto one of the exchange students not just any of them, but her.
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Among the seven, this girl stood apart. There was something enigmatic about her a presence that didn’t blend in. She wore a pair of black gloves and a simple moon-shaped necklace resting against her uniform. Her posture was calm, but her aura was undeniably different distant, unreadable.
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The two girls locked eyes.
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For a moment, the entire world around them seemed to fade into silence.
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The girl with the gloves slightly flinched, her fingers curling as if reacting to something unseen something she sensed in the girl staring back at her.
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And that other girl? She didn’t break eye contact. Her expression turned cold, a slow, knowing smirk forming at the edge of her lips as if she recognized something… or someone.
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A silent exchange passed between them unspoken, mysterious, and heavy with something more than coincidence.
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Minutes later, the students returned to their classroom, the excitement still buzzing in the air. Groups of juniors crowded around desks, chattering non-stop about the exchange program, the visiting students, and who might get paired up with whom.
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“I heard one of them came from a top honors program,” someone whispered.
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“I hope we get to do joint projects with them!” another said excitedly.
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Amidst the lively discussion, the girl from earlier sat at her desk, unusually quiet, her eyes distant.
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Her mind wasn’t on the exchange program anymore.
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It was as if she already knew what will come next and to the girl the one with the gloves, the necklace, and the unshakable feeling that this encounter wasn’t just fate.
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Nathir ven draek lor thiem.
("I got a bad feeling about this.") The girl whisper.
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“Aona! Let’s go?” her friend called out, already standing and tapping her foot playfully while waiting.
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“Canteen?” Aona asked, slinging her bag over her shoulder.
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“Where else? Come on, let’s eat,” her other friend said, already halfway to the door, her voice full of excitement.
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“Oh, dai! Let’s eat, I’m very hungry…” another voice suddenly chimed in. It was their loud and bubbly gay friend, appearing out of nowhere with dramatic flair. “Wait, are you gonna buy?” he added, placing a hand on his hip with a teasing smile. “I’ll wait here then let’s eat, okay?”
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Aona chuckled and shook her head. “Alright, let’s go,” she said with a grin, falling in step with her friends as they made their way out, laughter trailing behind them like a familiar rhythm of friendship.
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After buying their food, the group returned to the classroom, the smell of freshly cooked meals clinging to their trays.
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“There he is,” Zaira said, spotting Earn still sitting in the same spot, scrolling through his phone.
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“Told you I’d wait,” Earn replied with a grin, looking up. “Took you long enough though I almost died of hunger.”
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They laughed and slid into their seats, setting their food down as the chatter resumed.
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As they ate, their conversation naturally shifted back to the topic that had everyone buzzing since the gymnasium assembly.
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“So… what do you guys think about the exchange program?” Aona asked between bites.
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“I still can’t believe we were the department chosen,” Khimberly said, eyes wide. “I mean, out of all the departments…”
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“I heard the exchange students will be joining our classes starting next week,” Zaira added, lowering her voice like she was sharing something top-secret.
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“And we might even get paired with one of them for our final project,” Earn said excitedly, nearly dropping his fork. “Imagine that! What if I get the hot silver-haired guy?”
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Khimberly rolled her eyes playfully. “Can you not fall in love before finals?”
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They all laughed except Aona.
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She stared quietly at her food, her smile faltering for a second as her mind drifted back to the girl on the stage the one with the gloves and the moon-shaped necklace. That stare. That flinch. That smirk.
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Something about her didn’t feel right.
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"I hope my guess is wrong,” Aona muttered to herself, barely above a whisper.
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Zaira looked over, raising a brow. “Did you say something?”
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Aona blinked and quickly shook her head. “Nothing. Just thinking…”
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But deep inside, she knew this was just the beginning of something far bigger than any exchange program.
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and then Add to home screen.