The image of Samuel Wayne lingered in Tatiana Miller's mind long after she had left the quad that day. It was unusual for her to be so captivated by someone she had only seen for a few moments, but there was something about him that she couldn't shake. As she went about her usual activities—attending classes, chatting with friends, and participating in student clubs—her thoughts kept drifting back to the boy on the bench, absorbed in his book as if the rest of the world didn't exist.
Tatiana wasn't used to being so curious about someone she barely knew. She had always been a people person, effortlessly making friends and connecting with others, but Samuel was different. He was like a puzzle she couldn't quite figure out, and the more she thought about him, the more determined she became to learn more.
Over the next few days, Tatiana found herself scanning the campus, hoping to catch another glimpse of Samuel. She spotted him occasionally—walking to class with his backpack slung over one shoulder, sitting in the back of the lecture hall with his eyes focused on the professor, or grabbing a quick bite to eat in the cafeteria, always alone. Each time she saw him, her curiosity grew stronger.
It wasn't just his quiet demeanor that intrigued her. There was an air of mystery about Samuel that set him apart from the other students. While most people on campus seemed to thrive in the social environment, Samuel appeared content in his solitude. He didn't seek out attention, didn't participate in group activities, and didn't seem to care about the usual college social scene. It was as if he existed in a world entirely his own, and Tatiana couldn't help but wonder what that world was like.
Her fascination with Samuel soon became the topic of conversation among her friends. One afternoon, as she sat in the student lounge with her best friend, Maya, she brought up the subject again.
"So, there's this guy," Tatiana began, her voice laced with excitement.
Maya, who was used to Tatiana's frequent crushes and social pursuits, raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Do tell."
"His name is Samuel Wayne," Tatiana said, leaning forward as she spoke. "He's an engineering major, and he's... different. Like, really different."
"Different how?" Maya asked, her curiosity piqued.
Tatiana paused, searching for the right words. "He's quiet, almost like he's in his own little world. I've seen him around campus a few times, and every time I do, he's either reading, studying, or just... thinking. He doesn't hang out with anyone, doesn't really talk to people. But there's something about him that makes me want to know more."
Maya nodded thoughtfully. "Sounds like you've got a case of serious curiosity."
"Yeah, I think I do," Tatiana admitted with a laugh. "I've never been this interested in someone before, especially someone I've barely spoken to. But there's just something about him that's so... intriguing."
"Maybe it's the mystery," Maya suggested. "You're used to people being open books, but he's not. It's like you want to crack the code or something."
Tatiana smiled, recognizing the truth in Maya's words. "Maybe you're right. But it's more than that. I feel like there's something really interesting about him—something worth getting to know."
"So, what's your plan?" Maya asked, leaning in with a conspiratorial grin. "You're not just going to sit around and wonder, are you?"
"Of course not," Tatiana replied, her eyes gleaming with determination. "I'm going to find a way to talk to him. I mean, really talk to him. I want to know what he's like, what he thinks about, what he's passionate about. I want to see if there's more to him than just the quiet guy on the bench."
Maya chuckled. "You've got your work cut out for you. From what you've told me, he doesn't seem like the easiest person to approach."
"That's what makes it interesting," Tatiana said with a grin. "I love a good challenge."
True to her word, Tatiana began to take more active steps to learn about Samuel. She started by doing a bit of discreet investigation—nothing too invasive, just asking around in her classes and social circles to see if anyone knew him. It wasn't long before she found a few people who had crossed paths with him, though their accounts were all similar.
"He's super smart," one girl in her biology class said. "I had him in a chemistry lab last year. He's really quiet, but he always knows the answers. The professors love him."
"He's kind of a loner," another student mentioned. "I've seen him in the library a lot, but he always sits by himself. Doesn't really talk to anyone."
Despite the consistent descriptions of Samuel as quiet and introverted, Tatiana's interest didn't wane. In fact, it only made her more determined to break through the walls he seemed to have built around himself. She didn't believe that anyone was truly an island, and she was certain that beneath Samuel's reserved exterior was a person with thoughts, dreams, and passions that were just waiting to be discovered.
One day, after a particularly engaging lecture, Tatiana spotted Samuel heading out of the classroom ahead of her. Seizing the moment, she quickened her pace, weaving through the crowd of students until she was walking beside him.
"Hey, Samuel!" she called out, her voice bright and friendly.
Samuel turned, his expression a mix of surprise and curiosity. It was clear that he hadn't expected anyone to approach him, let alone call him by name.
"Hi," he responded, his voice soft but polite. His eyes met hers briefly before flickering away, as if he wasn't used to making prolonged eye contact.
Tatiana smiled, unfazed by his shyness. "I'm Tatiana. We're in the same class—communications and media studies. I've seen you around campus a few times."
"Oh, yeah," Samuel said, nodding slightly. "I remember you from class."
"I was wondering," Tatiana continued, her tone casual, "would you be interested in grabbing a coffee sometime? I'd love to chat more about today's lecture."
Samuel hesitated, his brow furrowing slightly. He seemed to be weighing his options, as if unsure whether to accept or politely decline. Tatiana could almost see the gears turning in his mind as he processed her invitation.
"I don't usually... go out for coffee," he finally said, his voice cautious.
Tatiana's smile didn't waver. "That's okay. We could just sit somewhere on campus and talk, if you'd prefer. I just thought it might be fun to discuss the lecture, maybe get to know each other a little better."
For a moment, Tatiana thought he might say no. But then, to her surprise, Samuel gave a small nod. "Sure. I guess that would be fine."
"Great!" Tatiana replied, her heart doing a little flip of excitement. "How about tomorrow afternoon? After class?"
"Yeah, that works," Samuel agreed, his tone still reserved but not unfriendly.
As they parted ways, Tatiana felt a surge of satisfaction. It was a small victory, but a victory nonetheless. She had managed to get Samuel to agree to spend time with her, and that was a step in the right direction. As she walked away, her mind was already buzzing with ideas about what they could talk about, how she could draw him out of his shell, and what she might discover beneath his quiet exterior.
Curiosity, it seemed, had sparked something more—a determination to see where this unexpected connection might lead. And as Tatiana headed toward her next class, she couldn't help but feel that this was only the beginning of something truly interesting.