WHISPER OF SHADOWS

A New Semester

The first day of a new semester always brought the same excitement to Westbridge University.

The campus buzzed with laughter, chatter, and the sound of students reuniting after the semester break. Some hurried toward their classrooms, some clicked endless selfies, while others simply enjoyed meeting friends they hadn’t seen in weeks.

Among the crowd walked Mia Wilson.

Dressed in a black oversized hoodie, light blue jeans, and white sneakers, she quietly made her way through the campus with a coffee cup in one hand.

She wasn’t someone who liked being the center of attention.

But she was warm, kind, and easy to be around.

Just as she reached the main building...

Someone suddenly snatched the coffee cup from her hand.

Mia : Hey!

She turned around and found Lily laughing while holding her coffee.

Lily : Good morning, sleepyhead.

Mia : Give it back.

Lily : Say “please.”

Mia : Lily...

Lily : That’s not “please.”

Mia sighed dramatically.

Mia : Fine. Please.

Lily grinned and handed the cup back.

Lily : Much better.

Both girls laughed.

Before they could continue walking, another familiar voice echoed from behind.

Sophie : Wow...

Sophie : So this is how my best friends treat me?

Mia and Lily turned around together.

Sophie stood a few steps away with her arms crossed and a fake pout on her face.

Lily : You’re late.

Sophie : By three minutes.

Mia : Four.

Sophie : Wow... you counted?

Mia : Someone had to.

Sophie placed a hand over her heart.

Sophie : I’m deeply offended.

Lily couldn’t stop laughing.

Lily : Drama queen.

Sophie : Thank you. I take that as a compliment.

The three girls walked toward their classroom together, talking about everything and nothing at the same time.

Classes.

Movies.

Music.

Weekend plans.

It was the kind of conversation only best friends could have.

As they entered the classroom, almost every seat was already occupied.

Lily : Last bench?

Sophie : Definitely.

Mia : I knew you’d say that.

The three quickly settled into their favorite seats.

A few minutes later, their professor entered, and the class finally began.

...

Nearly two hours later...

The lecture ended.

Students immediately began packing their bags.

Before anyone could leave, the class representative stood up.

Class Representative : Everyone, can I have your attention for a minute?

The classroom slowly became quiet.

Class Representative : I have some exciting news.

Curious whispers spread across the room.

Student : Please don’t say it’s another seminar.

A few students laughed.

The class representative smiled.

Class Representative : No seminar this time.

Class Representative : Next Friday, our department is going on a picnic.

The classroom instantly erupted with cheers.

Student : Finally!

Student : This is going to be fun!

Student : Where are we going?

Class Representative : Silver Falls.

Excitement filled the room.

Lily : Mia!

Lily : We’re taking a hundred pictures.

Mia : A hundred?

Sophie : That’s just Lily’s warm-up.

Lily : Excuse me... it’ll be at least two hundred.

Mia : My phone is already scared.

The three burst into laughter.

As they walked out of the classroom together...while the corridor was filled with students discussing the upcoming picnic.

Lily : I seriously can’t wait.

Sophie : We still have a whole week.

Lily : Exactly! That’s too long.

Mia : You’re acting like we’re leaving tomorrow.

Lily : If it were up to me, we would.

Sophie laughed.

Sophie : You’d probably pack your bags tonight.

Lily : I already have a list.

Mia : Of course you do.

The three walked downstairs together.

As soon as they stepped outside, a cool breeze brushed past them.

Students were scattered across the campus lawns. Some were playing basketball, while others sat under the trees with books and snacks.

Lily : Canteen?

Sophie : Always.

Mia : I knew that’s where this conversation was going.

They headed toward the college canteen.

The familiar aroma of coffee and freshly baked sandwiches filled the air.

Luckily, their favorite corner table was empty.

Sophie : Yes! Our table is free.

She quickly placed her bag on one of the chairs.

Lily : You treat this table like it’s reserved for us.

Sophie : In my heart... it is.

Mia chuckled as she sat down.

A waiter walked over with a smile.

Waiter : The usual?

Mia : One iced coffee.

Lily : Cheese fries and a chocolate shake.

Sophie : Chicken sandwich... and an iced latte.

Waiter : Coming right up.

As soon as he left...

Lily leaned forward with a mischievous smile.

Lily : So...

Mia : No.

Lily : I haven’t even asked anything.

Mia : I know that smile.

Sophie laughed.

Sophie : She’s impossible to fool.

Lily : Fine.

She pulled out her phone.

Lily : Then let’s play a game.

Mia : That’s even more dangerous.

Sophie : I’m in.

Lily : Okay... first question.

Lily : If you could travel anywhere in the world for free, where would you go?

Sophie : Switzerland.

Mia : Japan.

Lily : Italy.

Sophie : Why Japan?

Mia : I want to see the cherry blossoms.

Lily : Aww... that’s actually sweet.

Sophie : Mine’s simple.

Mia : Let me guess... for the mountains?

Sophie : Nope.

Lily : Then why?

Sophie : Chocolate.

For a second...

Mia and Lily stared at her.

Then both burst into laughter.

Mia : That’s your reason?

Sophie : Don’t judge me.

Lily : Honestly... I respect it.

The waiter returned with their order.

The three immediately started eating while chatting about random things—movies they wanted to watch, songs they couldn’t stop listening to, and the mountain of assignments waiting for them.

Time passed so naturally that none of them noticed nearly an hour had gone by.

Lily : We should probably leave before the library closes.

Sophie : Or...

Mia : No.

Sophie : You don’t even know what I was going to say.

Mia : Ice cream.

Sophie : ...

Lily : She guessed it again!

Sophie sighed dramatically.

Sophie : I officially give up.

The three laughed once more before picking up their bags and walking toward the library, still teasing each other like they always did.