Chapter 2: A Chance Encounter

The sound of laughter and chatter enveloped Acheron as he made his way through the crowded student lounge. He had been standing there for a few minutes, sipping on a cup of coffee and trying to muster up the courage to approach the group of students huddled in the corner. His eyes kept drifting back to the flyer on the bulletin board, his mind racing with the excitement of meeting his new classmates and instructors. Just as he was about to take a seat next to a group of students, Acheron felt a gentle tap on his shoulder. He turned to see the striking young man with piercing blue eyes and messy, sandy-blond hair smiling at him. "Hey, you must be Acheron," the young man said, his voice warm and friendly. "I'm Liam. I saw you looking at the schedule and thought I'd come over to introduce myself." Acheron's heart skipped a beat as he shook Liam's hand, trying to play it cool. "Hey, Liam. Yeah, I'm Acheron. Nice to meet you." Liam's eyes sparkled with interest as he took in Acheron's outfit. "I love your shirt. Where did you get it?" Acheron chuckled, feeling a sense of ease with Liam. "Thanks, I got it at a thrift store downtown. I'm a bit of a thrift store junkie." The two of them chatted for a few minutes, exchanging stories about their summer breaks and their excitement about starting art school. Acheron found himself opening up to Liam in a way that he hadn't expected, sharing stories about his passion for digital design and his hopes for the future. As they talked, Acheron couldn't help but notice the way Liam's eyes crinkled at the corners when he smiled, or the way his hair curled slightly at the nape of his neck. He felt a flutter in his chest, and his mind began to wander to all sorts of scenarios. Before he knew it, the group of students had dispersed, and Liam was suggesting they grab a coffee together before their first class. Acheron agreed, and they set off across campus, strolling through the quad and chatting about everything from their favorite artists to their childhood memories. As they walked, Acheron felt a sense of connection with Liam that he hadn't experienced with anyone in a long time. It was as if they had known each other for years, not just minutes. Their conversation was interrupted by the sound of a bell ringing, signaling the start of their first class. Liam grinned at Acheron. "Looks like we've got to run. Want to sit together in class?" Acheron nodded, feeling a sense of excitement. "Definitely." As they rushed to their classroom, Acheron couldn't help but wonder what the rest of the day had in store. Little did he know, his chance encounter with Liam was just the beginning of a journey that would change his life forever.