Beneath The Same Stars

1. The Clash of First Impressions

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Chapter 1: *The Clash of First Impressions*

Avneet Kaur steps into the prestigious halls of Harvard University, her heart racing with excitement and a touch of nervousness. Olivia, a confident and cheerful student, is assigned to guide the new arrivals. Olivia immediately clicks with Avneet, charmed by her bubbly personality and curiosity about space science. They chat as Olivia shows her around, sharing insights about Harvard and its quirks.
When they enter the astronomy lecture hall, Olivia leads Avneet to a prime spot near the front of the class. “This is the best place to sit,” Olivia says with a grin. .
The lecture hall buzzed with whispers as Avneet sat down beside Olivia. She glanced around, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. Olivia leaned closer and whispered, “You’ll love Professor Carson’s lectures. He’s the best for astronomy.”

Before Avneet could respond, the murmurs grew louder. Students turned their heads toward the entrance, and the room suddenly went silent.

Avneet followed their gaze, and in walked a tall, strikingly handsome guy with ocean-blue eyes that seemed to command the room. His calm demeanor and perfectly styled hair made him look like he belonged on the cover of a magazine rather than in a classroom.

“Who’s that?” Avneet whispered to Olivia.

“That,” Olivia said with a sly grin, “is Bryan Jonathan. The university’s golden boy. Top of the class, amazing at sports, and arts . Oh, and every girl here either likes him or pretends not to.”

Avneet raised an eyebrow. “I see.”

Bryan’s eyes scanned the room and stopped when he spotted Avneet in what was clearly his seat. He walked over, his calm expression not betraying any irritation.

“You’re in my seat,” he said, his voice steady but firm.

Avneet looked up at him, unfazed. “I didn’t see your name on it.”

A ripple of gasps and muffled laughter spread through the class.

Bryan tilted his head slightly, his lips curling into a faint smirk. “Funny. Everyone else seems to know it’s mine.”

“Well, I didn’t get the memo,” Avneet replied, her tone sharp but composed. “And now it’s my seat.”

Bryan crossed his arms, leaning slightly toward her. “You’re new, aren’t you?”

Olivia coughed awkwardly, trying to diffuse the tension. “Avneet, maybe—”

Avneet held up a hand, cutting her off. “Does it matter if I’m new? It’s a free country, isn’t it?”

Bryan chuckled softly, the sound almost infuriatingly charming. “You’re bold. I’ll give you that.” He glanced at Olivia. “Olivia, care to explain the rules around here to your friend?”

Olivia hesitated. “Um, Bryan, it’s just a seat—”

“Exactly,” Avneet interjected. “It’s just a seat. You can find another one, can’t you?”

Bryan’s smirk deepened. “I could, but that’s not the point. The point is—”

“Mr. Jonathan,” the professor’s voice cut through the room, silencing the tension. “Take a seat. We’re starting.”

Bryan gave Avneet one last glance, his blue eyes gleaming with amusement. “Enjoy it while it lasts.”

He moved to sit directly behind her, and Avneet could feel his presence like a weight on her shoulders.

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Later in the Lecture

The professor paused mid-lecture, turning to the class. “Who can tell me the significance of the recent discovery about the exoplanet GJ 1214 b?”

Avneet’s hand shot up confidently, but before the professor could call on her, Bryan’s calm voice filled the room.

“It’s a super-Earth located about 40 light-years away. Recent studies suggest it’s shrouded in thick clouds of water vapor, making it an interesting candidate for further atmospheric analysis.”

The professor beamed. “Perfect, Mr. Jonathan, as always.”

Avneet’s hand slowly lowered, her cheeks burning. A few students chuckled softly, and Bryan leaned back in his chair, his voice low enough for only Avneet to hear.

“Next time, you might want to think faster.”

Avneet turned to glare at him. “Next time, maybe let someone else speak for a change.”

Bryan raised an eyebrow. “I don’t believe in wasting time on wrong answers.”

Olivia stifled a laugh beside Avneet, while Avneet clenched her fists under the table.

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After the Lecture

As students filed out, Olivia tried to console Avneet. “Don’t let him get to you. He’s always like that.”

“Oh, I’m not letting him get to me,” Avneet said, her voice laced with determination. “If he thinks he’s the only smart one here, he’s in for a surprise.”

Behind them, Bryan walked past, his calm voice drifting over his shoulder. “Looking forward to it.”

Avneet stared after him, her jaw tightening. Olivia laughed. “You two are going to be interesting to watch.”

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To be continued.....

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