A First Conversation in Lecture
Ethan walks into a crowded college classroom carrying his notebook and stops beside an empty chair next to Olivia.
He looks down and asks if the seat is occupied. Olivia shakes her head, gesturing to the open wooden desk beside her.
Ethan sits down, sets his open notebook on the desk, and introduces himself. Olivia offers her name in return, resting her hands on her open binder.
As the lecturer speaks from the front of the room, both students focus forward, writing side-by-side in their lined notebooks.
Saving Seats and Shared Coffee
A few days later, Ethan walks down the wooden aisle of another lecture hall and catches Olivia sliding her brown backpack off the chair beside her.
He stops beside the bench, pointing at the open space with a grin as he asks if she saved the spot for him again.
Olivia looks up, tilting her head with a smile as she admits that she saved the chair specifically for him. Ethan pulls out the seat, slides his textbook onto the table, and sits down.
Outside of lectures, the two sit across from each other at a small square table inside a bustling campus coffee shop, surrounded by stacked notebooks and highlighters.
Olivia reads over his handwritten notes, tapping the paper with her pen as she tells him how well he understands the material. Ethan leans his elbow on the table, smiling back as she takes a sip from her paper coffee cup.
Walking Across Campus Together
After finishing their work at the cafe, Ethan and Olivia walk side-by-side down the paved campus walkways, holding coffee cups in their hands.
Ethan turns toward her as they walk past the brick university buildings, asking why she originally chose to save a seat for him in class.
Olivia glances over with a warm smile, explaining that she simply enjoyed talking with him during their lectures.
Ethan nods, his expression softening as he admits that he feels the exact same way.
Returning the Gesture
The following morning, Ethan arrives early to the lecture hall, unstrapping his beige backpack from his shoulders and placing it directly onto the empty chair beside his desk.
When Olivia enters the room, her eyes land on the bag occupying the seat next to Ethan.
She stops beside the desk, holding her binder as a smile spreads across her face while she asks if he saved the chair for her this time.
Ethan picks up the backpack, sets it on the floor under his desk, and gestures for her to sit down.
Olivia sits down, tucking a curl behind her ear, and opens her notebook to write as class begins.
Send this to a friend who always saved a seat for you in class.
