Sara was spinning the dial on her locker when she heard a metallic clunk… clunk… clunk from a few feet away.
That sound had a very specific vibe:
new kid vs. American locker.
Sure enough, Aiden stood at his locker, staring down at the dial like it had personally offended him. His fingers hovered, then twisted the combination again with slow, precision.
Nothing.
He let out a tiny sigh, barely audible, but enough to make Sara smile.
"Need help?" she asked gently.
Aiden jumped a little, then relaxed when he realized it was her. "I… don't understand this," he admitted, pointing accusingly at the dial. "In Japan we used… different."
She stepped closer, taking the paper with his combo. "May I?"
He nodded, stepping aside with the seriousness of someone entrusting her with something extremely delicate.
Sara tapped the locker twice in the stubborn spot only Eastside High veterans knew, twisted the dial, and—clack—the door popped open.
Aiden blinked at it like she had performed sorcery. "You have magic."
"It's called experience." She lifted a shoulder. "These lockers should've retired twenty years ago."
A slow smile spread across his face. "Then I'm lucky the locker expert came to rescue me."
Her heart did a weird little hop. "Come on," she said quickly. "We'll be late."
They fell into step down the hall—his stride adjusting to match hers without even thinking about it. Every time someone rushed past, he shifted slightly toward her side, almost shielding her from the chaos without making it obvious.
When they reached the classroom door, he hesitated. "Thank you," he said again, quieter this time.
"For the locker?"
He gave a half shrug. "For… helping me. In general."
Something warm tugged at her chest. "You're doing fine, Aiden."
He looked like that meant more to him than it should have.
Inside class, Adien walked to his assigned seat—right next to Maya. Maya turned her head, as she noticed Aiden walking into class.
"Aiden! There you are!" she said brightly, leaning forward.
Adien gave a polite smile. "Hi… um, Maya."
Sara slid into her desk on the other side of Maya, Maya unaware of Sara next to here.
Sara looks at Maya's perfectly curled hair, her long eyelashes clearly fake, and her sparkling lip gloss. It was obvious Maya was up to something but Sara didn't know what.
Maya leaned toward Adien, whispering loud enough for him and Sara to hear. "So! Party tonight! You're coming, right? Music, snacks, dancing—the works!"
Sara frowned. "I… I don't usually go to parties."
Maya tilted her head, eyes sparkling. "But why not? It'll be fun! And you get to hang out with the new kid, win-win."
Sara bit her lip. "I just… don't fit in." Now she understands the full face makeup it was all preparation for a party. Sara knew the only reason for Maya to look this good in the morning was two things a boy or a party.
Adien leaned slightly toward Sara, voice low, teasing but gentle. "Then maybe… you come to this one. To show me how Americans party."
Sara blinked. "Excuse me?"
"You helped me with my first day at school. And the locker," he said, lips curving into a small, shy smile. "So maybe you help me survive a party too."
He leaned closer, voice soft. "I will go… if you are there."
Maya, oblivious to their tiny private moment, gasped. "Wait. First day of school… " Maya looked over at Sara not saying a word but her face and eyes said it all. Sara knew she would be getting a text later from Maya. Probably wanting the details of there first meeting.
Sara groaned, hiding her face in her hands.
Adien nodded, completely serious. "Yes. She showed me around. So I wouldn't get lost the first day."
Maya smiled at Sara. "Oh I see."
Sara felt her face heating up.
Adien glanced at her, eyes soft and warm, and Sara realized that butterflies in her stomach were inevitable.
Maya clapped happily. "Well then! You both have to come to the party. It's official. Sara, Adien, party. Done."
Sara groaned softly, but Adien's quiet, hopeful smile made it… hard to say no.
Sara sighed. "Fine I'll go with you guys to this party but don't expect me to go to anymore. This one is for Aiden after all he is the new guy on the block."
Aiden gave her a smile. "Great! I'll pick you both up… if that's okay?"
Maya gave him a big smile and was so excited that she squeaked. The whole class turned to look at her.
Sara's face grew red with embarrassment not of Maya but with all eyes on them. Maya gave Adien her number and Sara's. She made a group chat between them and gave Adien all the details like the time of the party, when to pick them up, and the address to Sara's house.
"Waite… why my house!" Sara said panicked.
"Because… I will be getting ready at your house duh. Also the party's at Jake's house and your house isn't too far from his." Maya sticks out her tongue.
Sara wasn't too thrilled because Jake was one of Maya's ex boyfriends.
"Okay class time to start." The teacher yelled to get everyone to settle down in there seats. The rest of the day was a blur to Sara as it all seemed to go by so fast. She kept thinking about what to wear and praying for this party to go without drama.
"Hey you okay Sara?" Chole asked her looking concerned.
"Oh yeah… um okay just thinking of this party I'm going to with Maya and Aiden." Sara blushes slightly after saying his name.
Chole laughter and puts her brush down. "Oh the party at Jake's place. Yeah Liam is excited to go this so I'll be there too." She smiled reassuringly.
"Oh right I forgot.Liam and Jake are like best buds. I'm sorry chole I'm so not in the head space today and for Art class as well. You know Maya is coming right…"
Chole looks at Sara and smiles at her giving Sara all the details about that situation.
"Well Jake and Maya are all cool now because of Liam." Chole blushed. "It was like the sweetest thing Liam has ever done to be honest… he stood up for Maya because she's my friend so he was all like ( that's my girlfriends best friend) and that's how she got invited."
I sigh in relief. "Well now I wish Maya would of said this to me sooner."
Art class ended and so did the rest of the day.