The smell of freshly baked bread drifted through the small bakery as Aria carefully pulled a loaf from the oven. Her cheeks were rosy from the heat, a faint dusting of flour still clinging to her dark brown hair, tied back in a messy ponytail. She smoothed the pleats of her new high school uniform—a crisp white blouse, navy skirt, and the blue ribbon she had tied three times before getting it right.
Today was supposed to be special. Her very first day of high school.
Aria smiled proudly at the bread. "Perfect," she whispered. Baking had always been her little joy, and working part‑time at the bakery made her mornings brighter. She touched the loaf—but frowned.
It was warm. Too warm.
Impossible. She had baked it last night.
Confused, she stepped outside for some fresh air. The street was quiet, the soft morning sunlight falling over the town like a golden blanket. That's when she saw it—the tall clock tower at the end of the road.
It had stopped.
Its hands were frozen in place.
"What on earth…" Aria murmured.
A calm voice answered, "Looks like time's taking a break."
She turned quickly. Standing by the carpentry shop next door was Asher, dressed in the same high school uniform—though his blazer hung a little loose, and the tie around his neck was slightly crooked. He was tall, with black hair that always seemed to fall into his gray eyes, giving him a quiet, thoughtful look.
"Asher?" Aria said, her eyes widening. She had seen him before around town, but never this close.
He gave a small, almost shy smile. "Strange, isn't it?"
Aria, ever the extrovert, blurted out, "It's like the whole world's holding its breath. Maybe it's waiting for something exciting to happen!"
He chuckled softly. "Or maybe it just wants to give us more time."
For a moment, they stood together in the stillness. Aria, clumsy and bright, the kind of girl who laughed easily. Asher, calm and quiet, the kind of boy who noticed details no one else did.
Breaking the silence, Aria held out the bread, cheeks a little pink. "Want to try? It's… my best one yet."
Asher took it carefully, nodding once. "Thanks." His voice was soft, but the way he said it made her heart skip.
Neither of them knew that this wasn't just the start of high school.
It was the start of something that would change their lives forever.
Because the moment the clock stopped, their ordinary world began to shift.