Dear No One,

Let's kick things off with an apology for the impersonal salutation. I had no one specific in mind when I started writing this—just a vague sense of longing and a sandwich. Yes, a sandwich. I'm currently munching on it while perched on a bench at my university, watching people go by, seemingly happy. Spoiler alert: this is a frequent activity of mine.

Have you ever noticed how everyone looks so blissfully in love? I mean, seriously, it's like I'm living in a rom-com montage, minus the romantic plotline. Couples holding hands, sharing secret smiles, whispering sweet nothings—it's enough to give anyone a toothache. But it also makes me wonder: what's it really like to feel head-over-heels for someone? To have those clichéd butterflies in your stomach? To experience that heart-pounding, breath-stealing kind of love?

I'm content with my life, don't get me wrong. I have my routines, my comforts, and my predictable sandwich lunches. But there's this one elusive experience I'm craving. It's like I've been cast as the perpetual sidekick in a movie where everyone else gets the love story.

So here I am, writing to No One, pondering the mysteries of love while savoring my sandwich. Maybe someday I'll find out what all the fuss is about. Until then, I'll keep watching, wondering, and maybe—just maybe—hoping that love will stumble across my path and sweep me off my feet. But for now, I guess I'll settle for another bite of my sandwich.

Waiting, 

Saff

***

"Can you pass the ball?" someone called from a distance. I looked around, trying to figure out who the intended recipient was, until it hit me—he was talking to me. I pointed at myself like an idiot, eyebrows raised in a classic "you sure about this?" gesture. He sighed and nodded, clearly wondering what he'd gotten himself into.

I carefully set my sandwich down on the bench, mustering all the athletic prowess I didn't have, and kicked the ball as hard as I could. Spoiler alert: it didn't even come close to reaching him. Grimacing, I started to shuffle over to retrieve the ball for another attempt, but he jogged towards me instead.

"Appreciate the effort," he said, as he effortlessly started dribbling the ball with his feet. 

"Thanks," I muttered, my cheeks burning hotter than a freshly baked pizza.

"No problem. You know, you remind me of Messi out there," he said with a grin, effortlessly weaving the ball between his feet. His comparison caught me off guard, and I couldn't help but playfully roll my eyes.

"I know," I replied with mock seriousness, "if I practiced even once, I'd probably dethrone him." It was a ridiculous thing to say, and I immediately regretted it, but the words had already escaped my mouth.

He chuckled, clearly amused by my self-deprecating humor. "Confidence is half the battle, right?"

"Yeah, well, overconfidence is the other half," I quipped, trying to salvage some dignity. This exchange was turning into a comedy sketch I never anticipated.

We shared a laugh, and as he continued effortlessly maneuvering the ball, I couldn't help but admire his skill. "Seriously though," he said between kicks, "you've got potential. Maybe not Messi-level potential, but potential."

"Thanks," I replied, feeling a mix of embarrassment and amusement. "Maybe I'll keep that in mind for my next career move."

"You're welcome. Maybe I should pursue a career in counseling," he replied with a grin, effortlessly juggling the ball before introducing himself. "Orion Montague. Marketing department." He extended his hand, and for a brief, awkward moment, I stared at it as if it were an alien artifact before finally shaking it.

"Saffron Isidro. Economics," I managed to blurt out, feeling like a malfunctioning robot trying to pass off as human. His smile stayed firmly in place, even as his friends called out to him.

"I guess I'll see you around, Saffron," he said, turning away to join his teammates. "Saff," I interjected with robotic precision, instantly regretting my attempt at abbreviation. Mentally facepalming, I cringed at my own awkwardness.

He didn't turn back, but waved as he jogged away, leaving me to replay the scene in my head—wondering if I'd ever recover from introducing myself like a malfunctioning android at a networking event.

Weeks had slipped by without a glimpse of him. Not that I was actively searching, mind you, but there was a part of me quietly hoping our paths would cross again. His boyish grin and lingering scent had lodged themselves stubbornly in my mind, playing on repeat like a catchy but elusive tune.

"Who are you looking for, exactly?" Brianna, my ever-perceptive best friend, asked, her eyes scanning the football field where we stood. "Who said I'm looking for someone specific?" I replied defensively, attempting nonchalance. She poked my waist playfully, coaxing out a laugh. With that mischievous glint in her eye, she gave me a knowing look that said she wasn't buying my act.

As I recounted the entire encounter to her, she listened with a furrowed brow and an expression of subtle disapproval. "What?" I asked defensively, sensing her judgment beneath her attempt to appear casual. Brianna was never one to hide her true feelings well, especially when it came to matters of the heart.

"What?" I asked again, feeling a mix of vulnerability and curiosity under Brianna's scrutinizing gaze.

She sighed, shaking her head slightly. "It just sounds... I don't know, like something out of a cheesy rom-com," she finally admitted, unable to hold back her honesty. "You know, mysterious guy with a charming smile and a name straight out of a Shakespeare play? It's a bit cliché, don't you think?"

I frowned, feeling a twinge of defensiveness. "Well, maybe life is sometimes cliché," I retorted, crossing my arms. "And for your information, he wasn't that mysterious. Just... unexpectedly charismatic."

Brianna raised an eyebrow, her lips quirking into a half-smile. "Uh-huh. And you're not at all intrigued by this unexpectedly charismatic guy?"

I hesitated, then shrugged. "Maybe a little. But it's not like I'm waiting around for him to show up again. It was just a random encounter."

She nodded knowingly, but I could see the wheels turning in her head. Brianna was the type who loved a good romantic subplot in her friends' lives, whether they wanted it or not.

"Just don't let him be the one who got away," she teased gently, nudging me with her elbow. "Who knows, maybe your paths will cross again when you least expect it."

I rolled my eyes, but couldn't help but smile. With Brianna around, navigating the twists and turns of romance—or the lack thereof—was always an adventure.

After our last class for the day, Bree persuaded me to tag along while she shopped for a homecoming gift for her half-brother, whom I had never met. With no plans of my own, I figured why not?

"You know, I've been giving it a lot of thought," she said suddenly, her tone unusually serious, which immediately made me uneasy. Brianna wasn't one to take things seriously, so this shift piqued my curiosity. "About what?" I asked, half-jokingly, as I linked my arm through hers.

She stopped walking abruptly and gripped my arms as if she were about to deliver life-altering news. "You're scaring me, Brianna Evangeline," I replied, exaggerating a shiver down my spine. She responded with a mock gag and an eye-roll—clearly not a fan of her middle name, Evangeline, which she wore like an unwanted heirloom.

She waved off my playful jab at her middle name and took a deep breath, her expression unusually contemplative. "Okay, okay, serious talk," she began in a conspiratorial whisper. "I've been thinking... maybe your sudden fascination with this Orion guy is because you've never really met someone like him before— and I mean that in a good way. You've always been so adamant about keeping your distance and not wanting to get involved with anyone. So, when you finally decided to crack open that door a little, maybe you got a bit too attached to the first person who walked through."

Her words struck a chord, making me pause to consider her perspective. Brianna had a knack for cutting through my defenses and hitting the nail on the head, even if it stung a little.

"I guess..." I started slowly, uncertain how to put my feelings into words. "It's just... he seemed different, you know? Not like anyone I've met before."

Bree shot me a knowing look, her eyebrows raised in playful skepticism. "Babe, who are you kidding? You've never formally met guys before. Of course he's not like anyone you've met."

I couldn't help but laugh at her bluntness. She had a knack for cutting through my romanticized notions with a dose of reality. "Yeah, you're probably right," I admitted reluctantly, realizing she had a point.

"Let's circle back when you actually get to talk to this guy outside the football field—like a date or a normal conversation between acquaintances or friends," Bree suggested with a mischievous grin.

I nodded in agreement, though deep down, I knew it was unlikely to happen. "Sure, let's circle back," I replied with a hint of skepticism in my voice.

Bree chuckled, seeing right through my lack of enthusiasm. "Hey, you never know," she teased, nudging me playfully. "Stranger things have happened."

As we continued shopping for Brianna's half-brother's gift, I couldn't shake the feeling that maybe Brianna was onto something. Perhaps I needed to be more open to unexpected possibilities—even if the idea of a date with Orion seemed as far-fetched as finding a unicorn in a shopping mall.

After a marathon of shopping with Bree, where she ended up signing up for a clothing subscription service and a bunch of other stuff that evaporated from my memory, we hit up our go-to diner. Famished and slightly delirious from the sensory overload of the mall, I was ready to devour anything that came my way.

But fate had other plans, in the form of a rowdy bunch in the corner of the diner who seemed determined to out-decibel each other. My headache was building faster than a skyscraper, and just as I was contemplating a strategic retreat to quieter pastures, bam! Collision course with someone.

"Sorry!" we both blurted out simultaneously, a perfectly choreographed apology dance. I raised my eyes to see none other than Orion, looking as enthusiastic as a kid who just discovered a hidden stash of candy.

"Saffron!" Orion exclaimed, his excitement palpable enough to stir even the sleepiest diner-goer. "Orion, hey," I replied, trying to match his enthusiasm while inwardly bracing for the inevitable awkwardness.

"I'm so happy I bumped into you!" Orion continued, his energy undiminished. I struggled to keep pace, sensing this conversation careening towards the awkward zone faster than I could redirect it. "You are?" I blurted out, instantly regretting my choice of words. "I mean, me too!" I quickly corrected, punctuating my nervous laughter with an awkward chuckle.

Orion shook his head, a soft chuckle escaping his lips. "Haven't seen you around in school. Where have you been?" he asked casually, as if we were old friends catching up after a brief hiatus. My cheeks flushed with embarrassment as I processed his words.

"Oh, you know," I replied, trying to sound nonchalant despite the tumult of emotions swirling inside me. "Just... around. Busy with... life." Smooth, Saffron, real smooth. I mentally cringed at my feeble attempt at casual conversation.

Orion's easygoing demeanor, however, put me somewhat at ease. He nodded understandingly, his eyes twinkling with curiosity. "Well, it's good to see you," he said warmly. He was about to add something when Bree cleared her throat from behind.

"Bree!" I nervously called out, relieved for the interruption. She walked towards us, and as she approached Orion, her eyes widened in surprise.

"Brianna!" Orion exclaimed, recognizing her instantly. "Rio!" Bree responded with equal surprise. The air thickened with awkwardness. I tried to recall if Bree had ever mentioned someone named Rio, but my brain froze like it always does during exams.

"You two know each other?" Bree asked, turning to Orion—or Rio, apparently. He glanced briefly at me before nodding slowly. "How'd you know each other?" Orion asked, a hint of curiosity in his voice as Bree wrapped her arms around me.

"She's my sister from another mother," Bree proudly declared. Orion's smile faded slightly as he processed this information. "I see. Well then, see you around, ladies," he said politely, then turned and headed back to his group.

As Orion walked away, I let out a sigh of relief mixed with confusion. The encounter had been unexpectedly awkward, but at least Orion hadn't seemed put off by Bree's enthusiastic declaration.

As Bree and I returned to our table, I couldn't shake the feeling that this chance meeting with Orion—or Rio—had left an indelible mark on what had otherwise been a routine outing. It was like stumbling upon a plot twist in a mundane story, leaving me wondering about the implications and what could unfold next. Orion's presence lingered in my thoughts, a puzzle piece that didn't quite fit into the picture I had of my day-to-day life. Little did I know, this encounter would set off a chain of events that would challenge my expectations and lead me down unexpected paths.

- End of Chapter 1-