The school bell rang sharp and suddenly, slicing through the morning haze like a warning shot. Esther tightened her grip on her bag strap, eyes scanning the sea of uniforms and overplayed whispers in the corridor.
New term. Same hallways. But everything felt… heavier.
She took a deep breath—final year. Don't mess this up.
Sliding past gossiping girls and sleepy boys, she found her way to Class 3A. The door was half-open, and from inside came the familiar scrape of chairs, the shuffling of feet, and the distant hum of someone tapping a pen too fast.
She walked in—and stopped.
There, in the last row by the window, sat a boy she'd never seen before.
Tall. Quiet. Slouched like the world owed him something. His gaze was out the window, unmoving like the surrounding noise didn't exist.
New student? No one else seemed to care. But something about him made her stomach flutter for no good reason.
Esther took her seat near the middle, still stealing glances.
A girl leaned in from behind. "That's Jayden. Transferred in this term. Don't talk to anyone."
Figures.
Their homeroom teacher walked in, all smiles and welcome speeches. The chatter quieted, but Esther felt the pull again—like something had just shifted.
Her eyes met his, just for a second. Cold. Sharp. And gone.
The bell rang again to start the day, but Esther's heart was already racing.
And just like that, the year began—with a heartbeat she hadn't expected.