The moment stretched longer than it should have. Natasha and I locked eyes, a silent yet charged exchange passing between us. Her beauty, subtle yet arresting, held me captive. The confident way she sat, her eyes glinting behind her glasses, and her poised expression exuded an allure I couldn''t deny.

    "Can I help you?" she asked finally, breaking the silence. Her voice was husky, smooth like velvet, and the way her lips moved drew my attention in a way I hadn''t expected.

    Snapping out of it, I offered a polite smile. "Yes, actually. I''m looking for someone named Natasha. Are you... her?"

    She tilted her head slightly and gave me a knowing look. "Yes, I am Natasha. And who are you?"

    I chuckled, shaking my head. "My name is Austin and for the cultural festival. You''re in my team."

    Her eyebrows lifted in mild surprise before she leaned back slightly in her chair. "Oh, I see. I was busy with this work that I forgot to check the list of my team members."

    I glanced at the painting she had been working on and then gestured toward the empty chair beside her. "Mind if I sit?"

    She hesitated for just a moment before nodding. "Go ahead."

    As I settled beside her, I couldn''t help but notice how much bolder her figure appeared up close. The sleeveless dress she wore clung to her curves, and her shyness added an intriguing layer to her bold exterior.

    "So," I began, gesturing toward the canvas in front of her, "what are you working on?"

    Her cheeks turned a faint pink, but she seemed pleased by the attention. "Oh, this?" She turned the canvas slightly for me to see.

    The moment my eyes landed on it, my words died in my throat.

    The painting was... a dick.

    Not just any artistic rendition, but a strikingly detailed one. My mind froze, caught between confusion and an urge to laugh.

    "It''s for a nude model competition," Natasha explained with a small, sheepish smile.

    I exhaled slowly, pushing down the awkwardness that tried to bubble up. "I see," I replied, forcing a casual tone. It''s her work, I reminded myself. Nothing to overthink.

    But Natasha sighed, her lips curving downward in a pout. "It''s not good, though. It''s... too small."@@@@

    I blinked at her, unsure how to respond.

    "It''s my boyfriend''s," she added, looking down at the canvas. "He offered to model for me, but... it just won''t do. I need something bigger. Thicker. Something that actually stands out. This just feels... underwhelming."

    Maya sat at her desk, her dark turtleneck sweater hugging her frame. Her expression was serious, and she radiated an air of no-nonsense professionalism.

    Natasha and I approached her.

    "Maya?" I asked.

    She looked up, her gaze sharp and assessing. "Yes?"

    I extended my hand. "I''m Austin, and this is Natasha. We''re part of your team for the cultural festival."

    Maya stood, her handshake firm and efficient. "Nice to meet you," she said simply, before gathering her things. She didn''t seem like the type for small talk, so our conversation remained brief as she joined us.

    "Let''s find the last two," I said, checking the list again. "Zayn and Claire are both in the mechanical branch, so they''re probably together."

    The three of us headed toward the mechanical branch.

    As we approached, we saw two figures descending the stairs. One was a short, nerdy-looking guy adjusting his glasses, and the other was an energetic girl bounding down the steps.

    The girl''s eyes lit up when she saw me. She ran toward me with surprising enthusiasm, her hand grabbing mine before I could react.

    "You''re Austin, right? From the mathematics branch?"

    "Y-yes," I stammered, startled by her proximity.

    Her grip on my hand brought her chest dangerously close to me, and I felt the soft press of her curves. She beamed up at me, completely oblivious to my awkwardness.

    "I''m Claire!" she announced brightly. "From Mechanical 3-A. And this—" she gestured toward the guy behind her, "is Zayn from 2-B."

    Zayn adjusted his glasses and nodded politely. "Nice to meet you," he said in a calm, measured tone.

    Claire''s bubbly demeanor was in sharp contrast to Zayn''s reserved manner. She seemed like a whirlwind of energy, while he looked like he''d rather be anywhere else.

    Natasha, standing beside me, chuckled softly at the sight of Claire clinging to my hand like we were long-lost friends.

    "Nice to meet you, Claire," I said with a smile, gently pulling my hand free. "And you too, Zayn."

    Zayn gave another small nod. "Likewise," he said, straightening his lenses.