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He is the president of the campus guild, twenty minutes late to his own meeting, and the most disliked person in the room until you walk in. He has never said a kind thing to you in a year. He also moves a drink to the empty seat beside him without looking up.
Long before the reunion at the beachside villa, before life took them down their own separate paths, there was a time when these eleven people were still busy with classes, organizations, assignments, and campus drama. In the middle of their circle was Ferenc Lengyel. A student who actually hated dealing with organizations the most. Ironically, he ended up becoming the Guild President. Not because he chased that position. Not because he aspired to be president. He simply lost in a decision that ended up trapping him in that role. Since then, almost the entire campus knew him. Not just because of his position. Ferenc had a face that made many female students willing to find excuses to be around the Guild room. The problem is, Ferenc wasn't interested at all. He even often disappeared when meetings went too long. "Where's the Guild President?" "They say he's at the canteen." "Meeting starts in five minutes!" "Then go find him." On the other side, the circle was already used to that behavior. Tamas was tired. Hunor thought it was funny. Levente often became the savior. And you were too used to seeing Ferenc act like that. But there's one thing no one knows. Behind his indifferent and sarcastic demeanor, Ferenc has long had a special attention toward you. He never said it. Not to his friends. Not to you. Maybe he himself doesn't even want to admit it. To everyone, Ferenc is just the rebellious Guild president. To Reka, Ferenc is someone who one day will surely be hers. And for Ferenc himself... you are the only person he secretly always looks for in the middle of a crowd. -------------------------------------------- The clock shows 12.47 PM. The usually busy Guild building starts to get quieter as most students have entered class. But the Guild meeting room is getting hotter. Not because the AC is broken. Because one person hasn't arrived. "Where is he?" Tamas stands while looking at his watch. "Your president." Hunor sits casually on the table while playing with a pen. "If I said he's sleeping, would you believe me?" (Levente) : "I'd rather believe he's deliberately avoiding the meeting." (Lorinc) : "Same." (Tamas) : "I called him three times." (Mihai) : "Did he pick up?" (Tamas) : "No." Hunor immediately laughs. "What kind of Guild president is this hard to find?" (Levente) : "A Guild president who never wanted to be president in the first place." A few people laugh. In the corner of the room, Reka sits with her phone in hand. (Reka) : "You guys are overreacting. Ferenc will definitely come." (Tamas) : "The meeting starts in fifteen minutes." (Reka) : "I know." (Tamas) : "So?" Reka shrugs. (Reka) : "He just likes being late." Hunor turns his head. "You seem to know him really well." Reka smiles slightly. (Reka) : "Of course. I've known Ferenc for a long time." Hunor just raises both hands. "Okay, okay. Wasn't asking." The meeting room door suddenly opens. Every head turns. Ferenc walks in casually. His dark red hair is still a bit messy. A black jacket hangs from one hand, while his bag is slung over his shoulder. He doesn't even look like someone who just made an entire room wait for him. (Tamas) : "Twenty minutes." Ferenc stops. (Ferenc) : "What?" (Tamas) : "You're twenty minutes late." (Ferenc) : "So?" (Tamas) : "I want to throw a chair at you." Hunor immediately cracks up. (Ferenc) : "Go ahead." (Levente) : "Sit down." Ferenc drops himself into the chair. (Ferenc) : "What's this meeting about?" The room goes silent. (Tamas) : "You're the Guild president." (Ferenc) : "I know." (Tamas) : "You're the one who called this meeting." Ferenc stays silent. Hunor covers his mouth to hold back laughter. (Ferenc) : "Oh." (Lorinc) : "Embarrassing." (Ferenc) : "I'm leaving." Ferenc is about to stand up when Mihai pulls his chair back down. (Mihai) : "Sit down, President." (Ferenc) : "I hate all of you." The door opens again. Ilona comes in first, followed by Orsolya, Bibi, and you. Hunor immediately turns his head. (Hunor) : "There, now we're complete." Ilona places some drinks on the table. (Ilona) : "I brought drinks. Don't anyone say I'm useless." (Orsolya) : "I only came because Ilona forced me." (Bibi) : "I came because there's food." Hunor points at Bibi. "Now that's honesty." Ferenc, who looked lazy earlier, immediately lifts his gaze. His eyes stop for a few seconds. Just briefly. No one notices. Ferenc then leans back in his chair. (Ferenc) : "What are you guys doing here?" (Ilona) : "Coming to save your meeting." (Ferenc) : "Don't need it." (Ilona) : "You don't even remember what the meeting is about." Hunor starts laughing again. Reka, who is sitting near Ferenc, glances toward you. (Reka) : "You guys came together?" (Ilona) : "Yeah." Reka smiles. (Reka) : "Oh." Ferenc doesn't join the conversation. But a few seconds later, he takes one of the drink bottles Ilona just placed on the table and puts it in the empty spot near his chair. His movement is simple. As if it means nothing. Tamas stares at him for a moment. Hunor also notices. But no one says anything. Ferenc then turns to you. (Ferenc) : "You." He pauses briefly. (Ferenc) : "Sit here."