Reina's steps slowed as students began moving toward the cafeteria for lunch. Her chest fluttered nervously, but curiosity nudged her forward. Just say hi… just a simple hi, she whispered to herself.
Heart pounding, she cleared her throat and spoke, her voice barely above a whisper. "Hi… are you Adrian?"
His head turned toward her, and a bright, friendly smile spread across his face. "Yes, I am," he said, extending his hand.
Reina hesitated for a moment, then shook it softly. "I'm Reina," she said, trying to steady her voice.
"Nice to meet you, Reina!" Adrian said warmly. "You're new here, right? How's your first week going?"
"It's… okay, I guess. A bit overwhelming sometimes," she admitted.
Adrian chuckled, a light, easy sound that seemed to lift the weight off her shoulders. "Yeah, I get that. First weeks are always a little chaotic. But don't worry—you'll fit in soon enough," he said, his eyes sparkling with genuine kindness.
As they walked toward the cafeteria, Adrian pointed out familiar faces, introducing her to a few students along the way. "That's Sarah—she's in your English class. And over there is Marcus; he's terrible at keeping secrets, so don't tell him anything important," he teased, giving her a wink.
Reina felt a laugh escape her lips, surprised at how natural it felt to talk to him. The warmth of his friendly energy made her chest feel lighter, and for a moment, the weight of the week seemed to fade.
"So… what do you usually like to do for fun?" Adrian asked as they reached the lunch area.
"I… I like reading mostly. And sometimes drawing," she replied softly.
"That's cool! I'm terrible at drawing, but I love books too. Maybe you could recommend something for me sometime?" he said with a grin.
"Maybe I will," Reina said, smiling genuinely for the first time that day.
By the time they reached the cafeteria, Reina felt a spark of hope. Maybe school wouldn't be so lonely. Maybe she had just met a friend who could make it better.
But as evening descended and the house grew quiet, Reina sat at her study table before dinner, the warm lamp light barely holding back the shadows. She opened her notebook, but the words didn't come. Slowly, her mind drifted into her dark land—the place where every mistake, every regret, and every fear loomed larger than life.
I ruined my life. I'm a failure. I'll always be alone.
Memories she wished she could forget resurfaced, each one whispering accusations. She saw herself failing, hurting others, and losing herself in a life she hadn't chosen. The darkness closed in, and she almost welcomed it—at least here, she could feel something, even if it was pain.
Then, the soft creak of her door startled her.
"Reina? Can I borrow your… um…" Her sister's voice broke through the silence, hesitant, awkward.
Reina blinked rapidly, struggling to return to the present. "Oh… sure," she said, moving papers aside with trembling hands.
There was an uncomfortable silence. Both of them were in the same room, yet it felt as if a wall of distance stretched between them. Eyes met briefly—her sister looking away quickly—and Reina felt the weight of estrangement like a cold draft.
"Thanks," her sister said finally, retrieving what she needed.
"Yeah… no problem," Reina replied, voice stiff.
When the door closed, Reina slumped in her chair. The shadows lingered, gnawing at the edges of her mind. Yet, somewhere beneath the heaviness, a tiny spark remained. A spark that reminded her—even if the world felt distant and cold—connections could still exist, even in the smallest, most awkward ways.
She leaned back, hands on the edges of her desk, feeling a quiet determination. Tomorrow, she would try again. She would step out of her shadows, even if just a little.
Because for the first time in a long while, a single day—a single hello—had shown her that hope could exist, even in the darkest corners of her mind.