The college party pulsed with energy, the music thumping like a heartbeat. Strobe lights illuminated the crowded room, casting a kaleidoscope of colors on the sea of unfamiliar faces.

Aya, a bright-eyed freshman, navigated through the throng, her long, dark hair swaying to the rhythm. She had always been nervous in new social situations, but her roommate, Rachel, had convinced her to attend.

As Aya made her way through the crowd, she stumbled upon Selso, a junior, standing by the window. His lean figure was silhouetted against the city skyline, his eyes fixed on the breathtaking view. Aya felt drawn to his quiet confidence.

"Hi, I'm Aya. Enjoying the party?" Aya asked, her voice barely audible above the music.

Selso turned, his piercing brown eyes locking onto hers. For a moment, they just stared at each other, the noise around them fading into the background. Then, a charming smile spread across his face.

"Yeah, it's okay. I'm Selso," he replied, his deep voice sending a shiver down Aya's spine.

Their conversation flowed effortlessly, covering everything from music and movies to college life and future aspirations. Aya found herself laughing and feeling at ease with Selso, as if she'd known him forever.

"I'm surprised we haven't met before," Aya said, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Do you come to these parties often?"

Selso chuckled. "Not really. My friends dragged me here tonight. I'm more of a homebody."

Aya laughed. "Well, I'm glad they did. You're definitely the most interesting person I've met tonight."

Selso's smile widened. "Thanks, Aya. You're pretty interesting yourself."

As the night wore on, they discovered shared passions for photography and hiking. Selso showed Aya his favorite shots on his phone, and she was impressed by his talent.

"I love your perspective," Aya said sincerely.

Selso's eyes lit up. "Thanks, I'm really passionate about it."

The music changed, and the crowd began to disperse. As they exchanged numbers, Selso's fingers brushed against Aya's.

"I'd love to grab coffee sometime," Selso said, his eyes locking onto hers.

Aya's heart skipped a beat. "Sounds perfect."

As they parted ways, Aya couldn't shake off the feeling that she'd found someone special. She replayed their conversation in her mind, Selso's charming smile lingering like a warm ember.

Days turned into weeks, and Aya found herself constantly thinking about Selso. She wondered if he felt the same connection.

Their chance encounter had sparked a glimmer of hope, a promise of something more.

~