"The Memory Loop"

Chapter 1: A Whisper into Day One

Chapter 1: A Whisper into Day One

The first day of college.

It sounded like a big deal to most people — a new beginning, new faces, and a hundred chances to "start fresh." But to me, it just felt like a loud world I wasn’t ready to hear.

My footsteps echoed across the corridor as I nervously checked my phone. I had the class chart saved — a rare stroke of preparedness from me — but I still didn’t exactly know where to go. Until it suddenly clicked. The room number on the chart looked familiar. I think I’d seen it earlier. My memory surprised me.

I walked faster now, still quiet, still invisible.

I was about to reach the classroom door when a voice behind me called out:

“Hey! Do you have the class chart?”

I turned.
A girl stood there — wide eyes, out of breath, backpack slipping off her shoulder. She looked slightly panicked.

I froze.

Words tried to form, but they never made it past my throat. Instead, I simply nodded, took out my phone, and showed her the chart. Not a single word left my mouth.

“Oh! Thank you so much,” she said brightly, smiling with relief.
I just nodded again… and walked into class.

---

The room was filling up quickly, but there was one seat empty — right in the middle. I slipped in quietly, head low, trying not to meet anyone's eyes. I placed my bag down and rested my head on the desk. Just for a moment.

I must’ve dozed off for a minute or two.

The bell rang.

I straightened up — and froze again.
She was sitting right next to me.

The same girl.

“Hi,” she said with a soft smile, clearly recognizing me.

My mind panicked. I should say something. Anything.
I managed a weak, barely audible: “Hey.”

Then I fell silent again. I could tell she noticed — the way I hesitated, the way my voice cracked like it hadn’t been used in years. But strangely, it didn’t stop her.

She kept talking. Light stuff. Random stuff. About how chaotic the morning was. How she almost walked into the wrong class. I wasn’t saying much, but she didn’t seem to mind.

And then, something unexpected happened.

She asked me a doubt from the lesson — a small thing, a math problem.

For some reason, that felt easier.
I leaned a little closer and explained. Just like that. No hesitation.

And she smiled again. This time, a little softer.

---

The lunch bell rang.

I picked up my bag and disappeared.

I don’t know why I ran like that. Maybe I just needed space. Maybe I was scared of saying something wrong. Or maybe I wasn’t used to someone actually… talking to me.

After lunch, the classes resumed. And so did she.

Her chatter filled the gaps I didn’t know existed in the day.

I mostly listened.

She mostly talked.

---

When the college day ended, I slipped out alone again, taking the familiar shortcut home. My house wasn’t far — just five minutes away.

But just as I turned the corner, there she was. Again.

“Hey! You’re walking?” she asked, almost surprised.

I nodded awkwardly.

“Wanna drop you home?” she offered, her voice casual but kind.

I panicked again.
“No, uh… it’s close, I’ll walk. Th-thank you,” I said, stumbling over my words.

She looked at me — not in a judging way, just… observant.
“Okay, no problem. You sure?”

I nodded again.

Then she smiled, took something out of her bag, and handed it to me.

A chocolate.

“Here. For helping me with the chart and the class stuff. And just… thanks. See you tomorrow?”

And just like that, she was gone.

I stood there for a second, the chocolate still in my hand, unsure whether I felt confused, grateful… or just completely overwhelmed.

Maybe this was just day one.

But something told me — it wasn’t the end of the story.