Chapter 6: VI

Chapter 6: A Twist of Fate

The soft hum of chatter filled the classroom as students filtered in, finding their seats. Riley scanned the room, notebook in hand, her nerves buzzing. The first few weeks of college had been a whirlwind, and this new class—a combination of psychology and sociology focused on human behavior—was one she’d been looking forward to.

She slid into a seat near the middle, adjusting her bag under the desk. Around her, students settled into a mix of cliques and solitary arrangements, the faint shuffle of papers and the buzz of muted conversations creating a symphony of new beginnings.

As Riley set up her notebook and laptop, the door swung open again, and a familiar figure walked in.

Riley’s breath hitched. Elena.

She recognized her instantly—the way Elena carried herself with that effortless confidence, her auburn waves catching the light. For a moment, Riley was frozen, her thoughts racing.

What are the odds? Again?

Elena moved with purpose, scanning the room for an empty seat. Riley quickly averted her gaze, pretending to be engrossed in her notebook. But the moment lingered.

Elena paused near the front row, her expression neutral but focused as she settled into a seat on the opposite side of the room. For a brief second, their eyes met across the rows of desks. Riley’s heart skipped a beat.

Elena tilted her head slightly, her brows furrowing as if trying to place her. Riley quickly looked away, her cheeks flushing.

The professor, a tall woman with graying hair and a no-nonsense demeanor, strode to the front of the room, clapping her hands for attention.

“Good morning, everyone. Welcome to Understanding Human Behavior: A Sociological and Psychological Perspective. I’m Professor Callahan. This course will explore the intersection of psychology and sociology, examining how individuals and groups interact, form connections, and influence one another.”

Riley tried to focus on the lecture, scribbling notes as the professor outlined the syllabus. But her mind kept drifting back to Elena.

Every so often, she glanced in Elena’s direction, catching glimpses of her sitting attentively, pen poised over her notebook.

---

Toward the end of the lecture, Professor Callahan clasped her hands together. “Now, before we wrap up, I want to introduce your first major assignment: a group project.”

Groans and murmurs rippled through the room.

The professor smiled wryly. “Yes, I know how much you all love group work. But this project will account for a significant portion of your grade, so I suggest you take it seriously.”

She tapped on her laptop, and the projector displayed the details of the assignment.

Topic: Analyzing Social Constructs in Modern Media

Students were tasked with selecting a piece of media—film, TV show, book, or even a social media trend—and breaking down the psychological and sociological elements at play.

“You’ll work in pairs,” Professor Callahan continued, ignoring the collective groan. “I’ve already pre-assigned the groups based on your student profiles. This way, you’ll get a mix of perspectives and learn to collaborate with someone you might not normally work with.”

Riley stiffened in her seat. Pre-assigned?

The professor began reading off names. “Amanda and Greg... Chloe and Marcus...”

Riley’s fingers gripped the edge of her desk as she waited for her name.

“And Riley Bennett... and Elena Castillo.”

Her heart stopped.

Riley’s head whipped up, her eyes darting to where Elena sat. Across the room, Elena looked equally surprised, her brows raising slightly. Their eyes met again, and this time, neither looked away immediately.

Riley felt a wave of mixed emotions. Excitement, nervousness, and a creeping sense of dread all fought for dominance.

Of all the people... why her?

“Your partner’s contact information is already in the class portal,” Professor Callahan said. “I expect you to connect with each other by the end of the week to begin planning. Presentations are due in four weeks, so use your time wisely.”

The professor dismissed the class shortly after, and the students began to pack up.

Riley shoved her notebook into her bag, her mind racing. She risked another glance at Elena, who was calmly gathering her things. For a brief moment, Riley wondered if Elena remembered her from high school—or if she was just another face in the crowd to her.

As Elena stood to leave, Riley stayed glued to her seat, pretending to organize her bag. She didn’t trust herself to interact with Elena just yet.

One step at a time, she thought.

---

That evening, Riley met up with Sam and Jordan again in the common lounge of their dorm building. Sam sprawled across the couch with a bowl of popcorn, while Jordan sat cross-legged on the floor, scrolling through his phone.

“You look like someone just told you finals start tomorrow,” Sam quipped as Riley plopped into an armchair.

“I got paired with Elena for a group project,” Riley blurted out.

Sam nearly choked on his popcorn. “What?”

Jordan raised an eyebrow. “The Elena? Again?”

Riley nodded, her hands gripping the armrests of her chair.

“Okay, the universe is definitely trying to tell you something,” Sam said, sitting up.

“Or it’s just messing with me,” Riley muttered.

“Isn’t this a good thing?” Jordan asked, setting his phone aside. “You wanted a chance to get to know her, and now you have one.”

Riley groaned, leaning her head back. “Yeah, but I wasn’t ready for this. What if I mess it up?”

Sam rolled his eyes. “Riley, you’re overthinking this. Just be yourself.”

“She barely knew me in high school,” Riley said. “What if she doesn’t even remember me?”

Jordan gave her a reassuring smile. “Then you have a clean slate. You’re not the same person you were back then. She’ll get to know the real you now.”

Riley sighed, her mind still racing.

“Besides,” Sam added with a grin, “if all else fails, just wow her with your intellect and charm. Works for me every time.”

Jordan nudged him playfully. “Yeah, because you’re just so humble.”

Riley couldn’t help but laugh at their banter. As much as she dreaded the idea of working with Elena, she knew Sam and Jordan would be there to support her every step of the way.

---

Back in her dorm that night, Riley stared at her laptop screen, her cursor hovering over Elena’s contact information in the class portal.

Her mind replayed the moments from the classroom—the way Elena had looked at her, the flicker of recognition in her eyes.

Does she remember me?

With a deep breath, Riley closed her laptop. Tomorrow, she’d send the first message.

For now, she let herself imagine what working with Elena might be like—a mix of hope, fear, and the faintest spark of excitement.