That Moment in the Doorway
Setting: Forks Community College. Early morning, gray light through rain-slick windows. Ecology lecture hall, rows of worn desks, humming projector.
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The classroom buzzed with sleepy murmurs, the shuffle of jackets on the chair back drying from the rain, an open window bringing the scent of pine and damp asphalt. Aria sat at the back with straight spine, still sleepy from yesterday border patrol. Her white streak was still damp from the rain, her black hair darkened even more as they were clinging near the collar of her jacket. A clean notebook lays open, untouched.
Professor Dawes cleared his throat, tapping the edge of the lectern: "We've got a new student coming to study with us today. Transferred from..." Aria didn't bother to listen about where from that new student came or who this student is until she heard his scent...
The classroom door opened. And that's when it happened.
Only her head turned. Clean, human, wild scent beneath the soap that didn't quite masked stench of the big city. The hairs along her neck prickled when their eyes met.
No smile. No flicker of nerves. Just bone-deep recognition, clean and sudden. Like something had clicked into place with undeniable certainty.
Bond.
Not love. Not lust. Not quite a jolt. Not quite a thread around the heart. Just... sheer rightness.
She blinked first, Professor Dawes chuckled awkwardly. "Want to introduce yourself, young student?"
Aria's eyes were set on him. Something sacred had just shifted and no one else in the room noticed. She couldn't help but smile.
