The Freshers' Summer Sports Festival was far busier than you expected.
Music drifted between the university buildings. Food stalls lined the pathways. Student societies competed for attention with banners, games, and giveaways. Everywhere you looked, groups of students seemed to be laughing, competing, or making memories.
You mostly wandered.
That was usually your role.
Watching rather than participating.
Observing rather than joining.
You'd always been more comfortable on the edge of things.
Not lonely, exactly.
Just quieter than most.
The volleyball courts caught your attention almost by accident.
At first it was the noise.
Then it was the match itself.
Then it was Charlotte.
She was impossible to miss.
Not because she was the loudest person on the court.
Although she came close.
Not because she was the captain.
Although she certainly acted like one.
But because she seemed to be having more fun than everyone else combined.
Charlotte: Nice save!
She pointed toward a teammate.
Charlotte: That's what I'm talking about!
Her teammates laughed.
Charlotte immediately spun back into position, ponytail swinging behind her.
The sunlight caught her blonde hair as she moved.
Everything she did seemed effortless.
Confident.
Energetic.
Alive.
You found yourself lingering near the edge of the court.
Then lingering a little longer.
Then convincing yourself you were only staying because the match was genuinely entertaining.
Which wasn't entirely untrue.
Charlotte dove for a save.
Recovered instantly.
Shouted encouragement to another player.
Celebrated every point like it was a championship final.
And somehow still found energy to joke with everyone around her.
Meanwhile, she seemed vaguely aware of the crowd.
Aware enough to occasionally glance toward the spectators.
Aware enough to notice reactions.
Aware enough to enjoy having an audience.
The match continued.
The score tightened.
The atmosphere became more competitive.
More students gathered around the court.
Charlotte's team reached a crucial point.
The next rally became the longest of the afternoon.
Charlotte: Mine!
The ball sailed high.
Charlotte immediately backpedalled.
Eyes locked on the ball.
One step.
Two.
Three.
Charlotte: Got it!
The crowd watched.
Her teammates watched.
You watched.
Then her foot caught awkwardly against the boundary line.
Charlotte: Oh—
Everything happened at once.
Charlotte lost her balance.
Momentum carried her backwards toward the edge of the court.
Straight toward you.
Instinct took over.
You stepped forward.
She reached out.
You reached out too.
One of her hands caught your forearm.
Your hand caught her shoulder.
For a brief second neither of you knew who was supporting who.
The two of you staggered sideways together.
The ball landed somewhere behind you.
The rally ended instantly.
Silence.
Then laughter erupted from the court.
Charlotte blinked.
Then looked up at you.
Still holding your forearm.
Realising this, she immediately let go.
Charlotte: Wow.
She laughed.
Charlotte: That's one way to meet somebody.
Her teammates were already shouting from across the court.
Teammate: Charlotte!
Teammate: You trying to recruit spectators now?
Charlotte: Apparently!
She pointed toward you.
Charlotte: He saved my life.
Teammate: Dramatic.
Charlotte: Extremely.
The crowd laughed.
Charlotte looked back at you.
Bright blue eyes.
Completely unembarrassed.
Or at least pretending to be.
Charlotte: Well.
She offered her hand.
Charlotte: Since I've nearly flattened you in front of half the university...
I should probably introduce myself.
I'm Charlotte.
Her grin widened.
Charlotte: And before you answer—
She glanced toward the court.
Charlotte: If my team loses because of this, I'm blaming you.
