They new academic year started without a warning both had applied for universities
he had picked astrophysics because his soul practically orbited the stars. Anything from black holes to the wobble of exoplanets made him feel alive
First Day of Uni – Cosmic Coincidences
Ren [aka the telescope boy] sat in the back row, hoodie up, earbuds dangling, as if he was too cool to breathe the same air as the classroom.
Lyra burst in, 30 seconds late, hair a windstorm, notebook already open mid-step.
The professor, clipboard in hand, began roll call.
"Lyra Asterin?"
She raised her hand. "Here!"
Ren scoffed under his breath. Asterin? wait isn't that Star Girl?? Of course her name sounds like a damn star.
"Ren Kael?"
He raised one hand lazily, eyes still on the ceiling.
She snapped her head around. Her stomach dropped.
It's HIM.
Her Telescope Boy.
Their eyes locked across the room. Her face twisted into an annoyed glare. His mouth curled into the tiniest smirk.
Later, outside the class, she hissed, "Don't call me Lyra."
He raised a brow. "Then what, Nebula Girl?"
She crossed her arms. "Whatever, Telescope Boy."
And thus, the semester began—riddled with sarcasm, petty arguments, and the kind of tension that made everyone else in the class very aware.
Ren's War at Home – Post Day One
That evening, Ren's mom finally noticed the offer letter. The department name hit her like a meteor.
"Astrophysics? You applied without telling me?"
"I didn't think I needed permission to chase what I love."
"Love doesn't pay bills, Ren."
He slammed his telescope case on the table. "Neither does killing what makes me alive."
It spiraled. Fights. Shouting. Guilt-tripping. Ren didn't budge.
Eventually, his dad—silent as ever—intervened. One look. One nod. That was enough.
Ren stayed in the course. But the air at home turned icy.
.
Time Skip – A Few Weeks Later
The university's astronomy club had planned a trip—a visit to the planetarium followed by a night trek to a remote observation hill.
Lyra was buzzing like a charged particle. All the cosmic exhibits, meteorite chunks, projection domes—she was practically skipping.
Ren? Brooding as always, walking three steps behind the group, hands in his pockets.
That night, under a silver crescent moon, the group began the hike. Stars littered the sky like glitter. Everyone was joking, exploring, chasing fireflies.
Lyra, too caught up with sketching constellations, lagged behind.
She didn't even realize how hot she was feeling.
Her head swam a little. Her sketchbook trembled. Her breath came shallow.
Ren, turning for one last lazy scan of the trail, froze when he saw her sway.
He rushed over. "Oi—what the hell are you doing back here alone?"
She blinked. "Betelgeuse is… redder tonight…"
"Yeah? And you're sweating like a dying star. Sit down, idiot."
She staggered slightly. He caught her elbow, gently but firmly.
Ren yanked off his hoodie and threw it over her.
"You're going to pass out. Just—sit. Right there."
She murmured a weak protest, but obeyed.
The others were already far ahead. So Ren stayed with her, quietly, keeping one eye on her and another on the trail, waiting until help came.
Back on Campus
Lyra? Pretended it never happened. Ren? Acted like she was a pain in the neck.
But the rumor mill had other plans.
"Did you hear? Telescope Boy carried her down the hill." "I heard she fainted in his arms!" "Are they dating?"
Everyone heard. Especially them.
They didn't talk about it. They just started… avoiding each other.
No more sarcastic quips. No more heated glances. Just space. Too much of it.
But every night? They still went to the terrace.
Still stargazed. Still sat far apart.
Like binary stars stuck in the same orbit. Just... not ready to collide.
To be continued…