It was the beginning of winter. Or at least, that’s how Alex remembered it.

  In his mind’s eye, he was back on the last day of the previous semester. He, Marcus, and Carner sat in the cafeteria, their eyes shifting constantly between their screens and the bustling entrances.

  “Where are they?” Marcus groaned in the memory, leaning back with a dramatic sigh. “Dude, just call your girl.” He stared at Carner with tired eyes.

  “Relax, they'll be here,” Carner replied, his thumbs tapping a rapid rhythm on his phone. “She said they’re just in the hallway.”

  Alex was oblivious, locked on his laptop, a slave to the glowing screen. He had one last assignment due.

  “How come you are already done?” Alex shot a glare at Marcus.

  “Not done per se,” Marcus shrugged. “I’ll submit it before 9 PM. That’s the deadline, right?”

  Alex sighed. “Just be on time. This affects our final grades.”

  The cafeteria was a sea of noise. Chatter and laughter filled the air.

  “Goodbye!”

  “See you next semester!”

  “Any plans for the winter festivals?”

  The excitement was contagious. The air was thick with the scent of fried food, coffee, and perfume. Everyone looked thrilled to be free.

  Everyone except Alex. Until he clicked submit, he was tethered to the university.

  “You know you could just finish that later,” Marcus said.

  “I don’t want any school-related stress once I’m out of here,” Alex muttered, the screen’s blue light reflecting in his eyes.

  “Assignments on the last day? That’s brutal,” Carner said.

  “Yeah, well, it is what it is,” Alex said with a soft grin.

  He pursed his lips, then with a dramatic thrust, pressed “Enter.”

  [Assignment Submitted]

  He closed his laptop and slid it into his backpack. “Finally done.” Alex stretched his arms. “Now I am free.” He turned to Carner. “By the way, didn't you say the girls are in the hallway?”

  “Yeah, where are they?” Marcus grinned. “Maybe they stopped to flirt.”

  “Right…” Carner exaggerated that.

  The memory was vivid. The smells, the sounds, the relief. And beneath their feet, Alex clearly remembered the dull, grey polished plaster floor.

  “Alex…”

  “Al… Alex…”

  “ALEX!”

  Alex blinked. The memory shattered.

  He found himself staring at his phone in the present day, his mind in a daze. It was Marcus’s voice that pulled him out.

  “Dude, are you okay?” Carner asked, watching Alex stare at a group selfie.

  “Yeah… I’m fine,” Alex said.

  His stomach let out a loud, demanding groan. Carner and Marcus burst into laughter.

  “Did you space out because you're starving?” Marcus laughed, clapping Alex’s shoulder. “I’m starving too.”

  Alex let out a deep breath. “Yeah...”

  He looked toward the serving area. A long white marble counter stretched across the room, topped by a glowing menu display.

  “Anybody want some fries?” Carner asked, pulling out a sleek, sheen-blue credit card.

  Marcus whistled. “Sheen blue? Centenary Bank Elite money?”

  “Dude, it’s just a card,” Carner said, waving him off.

  Marcus waved a hand. “Yeah, yeah. Just bring some sandwiches.”

  “Right,” Carner said, turning to Alex. “What else?”

  “Drinks. Kind of thirsty,” Alex replied.

  Carner went to the counter. Marcus’s attention drifted to a group of girls opposite, and Alex sat in silence, his eyes shifting between the picture on his phone and the floor.

  He remembered the floor being grey. Dull, polished plaster. He remembered it clearly from before the winter break. But the picture on his screen showed a pristine white resin floor, even back then.

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  ‘Was I imagining it?’ he wondered.

  The idea was unsettling. The photo was hard evidence against him. His thoughts became a messy mix: the morning's dream, his new neighbor Clara, the way no one but him seemed to notice her.

  However, one thought eventually drowned out the rest.

  “So hungry,” Alex whispered. ‘I’m never skipping breakfast again.’

  The hunger felt different. It wasn't just an empty stomach. It felt like a hollow ache in his bones, a craving for energy he didn't understand.

  ‘Wait, did I eat anything last night?’ He tried to remember dinner, but came up blank.

  “No way. Tsk, dude, get this,” Marcus spoke up, shoving his phone into Alex’s view. “The IT department is carrying out system maintenance on the student portal. The office is unavailable.”

  “You’re joking, right?” Alex rested his head in his hand. “The reason I came here was to sort out the portal. I had to skip breakfast for it.” He checked the time. “It's around 1 PM. I don't remember the last time I ate.”

  Alex’s complaints were partly true. But deep down, he knew the real reason he came was to see his friends.

  “I knew it,” Marcus said, a slow grin spreading. “I should’ve come next week. Anyway, at least I still get to see new girls.”

  “Classic Marcus,” Alex said.

  A sweet, crisp aroma drifted toward them. For a moment, he forgot his worries. His eyes shifted to the footsteps approaching.

  And there it was. A tray filled with golden fries, stacked sandwiches, and slick, icy cans.

  “Fin…”

  “Finally,” Marcus said, cutting him off. He slid his phone away, giving the food his full attention. They dug in. Fries disappeared fast. Marcus was surprisingly quiet, focused on demolishing his food, while Carner made exaggerated sounds of satisfaction.

  ‘Some things never change,’ Alex laughed internally.

  “By the way, Carner, were you able to register?” Alex asked with his mouthful.

  “Dude, I was trying all day yesterday,” Carner said. “Actually, that’s the main reason I came today.”

  ‘Sure it was.’

  “Not to mention I live here now, in the dormitories,” Carner added.

  “Figures,” Marcus mumbled. “The stupid portal. Wait, you live here now?”

  “Yup. My Dad secured a room. You guys should check it out,” Carner said.

  “Of course we will,” Alex said, a slow smirk appearing.

  “What are you planning?” Carner laughed nervously. “Anyway, I have to go, guys. I have to meet my sister.”

  “Which sister? The cute one?” Marcus asked with a playful grin.

  “Dude,” Carner frowned. “She’s getting married.”

  Alex and Marcus laughed.

  “Yeah, yeah,” Marcus said. “Just tell her we said hi.”

  “You wish,” Carner replied as he bumped fists with them before heading out.

  With Carner gone, it was just Alex and Marcus. Satisfied bellies and a warm afternoon sun that made them lazy.

  “Where to now?” Alex asked, his voice low.

  “Well, I need to go meet someone,” Marcus said, grabbing his bag. “A childhood friend. She just enrolled here. I’ll tell you about her later. Right now, I’m bouncing.”

  “A ‘childhood friend,’ huh? Sounds interesting. Don’t be gone too long,” Alex said, his smile tainted with suspicion.

  “I said I'll tell you later,” Marcus sighed. “Anyway, later.”

  After Marcus left, Alex sat quietly. He realized it was time to head home. The IT issue would have to wait.

  “Perhaps that will fix the issue,” he said aloud, realising he was talking to an empty table. ‘Time to go.’

  Alex pulled out his phone and paired his earbuds. The journey back was long: descend the mountain, then a walk to the station.

  He passed the gate and stepped onto the path. Suddenly, a strange feeling caught him mid-step.

  It felt like he was being watched.

  He stopped and slowly turned, facing the campus on the mountainside. The view was stunning. Man-made structures coexisted with rocky mountains and forests.

  But his thoughts didn’t stay on the architecture. The feeling of being watched pressed down on him as the sun descended, casting a large shadow over the campus.

  His heart skipped a beat. He dismissed the thought and let out a heavy sigh as he checked the time.

  15:55.

  ‘Shoot…’ Alex quickened his pace. He had to, he only had less than ten minutes to catch the train, so there was no time… he began jogging.

  16:02.

  ‘Damn it.' Time passed so quickly when you were in a hurry. The saying goes “Time flies when you’re having fun”.

  No, it couldn’t be that. There was no fun for Alex in having to rush things just to meet deadlines.

  He passed a small shop, the scent of soil and forest in the air.

  “Focus, Alex,” he whispered as the station came into view. He had to hustle.

  A soft laugh escaped his lips. ‘Irony?’ He remembered a lesson from freshman year: The more one rushed, the faster the seconds seemed to disappear. It was one of life’s cruel ironies.

  Reaching the station, Alex boarded the train mere seconds before the doors closed. He collapsed into a seat, adrenaline fading into weary relief.

  And as the platform slid by, his own reflection ghosted over the passing views. A tired student, finally on his way home.

  He pulled out his phone and typed to Marcus:

  [Made it. Nearly missed it.]

  A moment later, three dots appeared, followed by a single laughing emoji.

  Alex leaned his head against the cool glass, a faint, exhausted smile touching his lips as the train carried him into the evening.

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