The school corridors felt louder than usual the morning.
Christopher walked in with Leo and Ethan on either side ,their laughter echoing as if nothing in the world could touch them.He looked relaxed. tie Slightly loose ,blazer slung over one shoulder, that effortless confidence he carried without trying. To everyone else,he was the boy who had everything: looks ,money ,friends, charm.
But inside, his mind was elsewhere.
"Bro ,you're not even listening, "Leo said nudging him slightly.
Christopher smiled."I am. You were saying something stupid as usual. "
They laughed ,and just like that ,the moment passed.
Across the hallway, Zia stood near her locker,her Grey hair tied neatly, soft waves falling around her face .she was listening to her friends, smiling at something trivial, but her eyes--almost unwillingly---found Christopher.
Again.
She didn't understand when it had started. Maybe it was the way he helped her that day without making it a big deal .or the way he laughed so freely with his friends ,like pain didn't exist.or maybe it was the quiet sadness she sometimes sensed in him ,hidden behind all that ease.
"Zia ,are you even here ?"Sofee teased.
Zia blinked. "Haan ....sorry ?"
Sofee followed her gaze and smirked.
"Christopher again ?"
Zia's cheeks warmed instantly. "Don't start."
She told herself it was nothing. Just admiration, curiosity. A harmless pull.
Jason walked into the classroom a few minutes later ,confident as ever ,placing his hand casually on Zia's desk.
"Morning, "he said smiling ---perfect, practiced.
"Morning, "zia replied.
From the outside, they looked like the ideal couple. Everyone thought so,even Zia once did.
Christopher entered soon after,taking his seat a few rows away. His eyes flicked briefly toward Zia and jason----just a glance, no emotion or at least, that's what it looked like.
The teacher's voice filled the room,but Christopher's thoughts drifted. Home .the constant tension .His father's silence.His stepmother's sharp words.the memories he tried not to revisit.
School was easier, the boys planned to head out.
"Burger place ?"Ethan suggested.
"Obviously, "Leo said ,looking at Christopher.
"You're paying. "
Christopher rolled his eyes."You people only love me for my money."
"True love." Leo replied dramatically.
As they walked out ,Zia noticed them laughing together, free and loud. For a second. She wished her life felt that simple.
Jason talked beside her,animated, discussing plans,expectations, futures.she nodded, buy her heart felt oddly distant.
That evening, Christopher returned home later than usual. The house was quiet----too quiet. His father wasn't home yet.His stepmother barely looked up when he entered.
"You're late,"She said coldly.
"I had school work," he replied, voice calm.
An argument hovered in the air,familiar and exhausting. Christopher went straight to his room,shutting the door gently, as if loud noises might break him.
He lay on his bed,staring at the ceiling.
Somewhere between laughter at school and silence at home,something inside him felt----empty.
And somewhere else,Zia sat by her window, wondering why a boy who wasn't hers kept finding space in her thoughts.
Neither of them knew it yet---but the distance between their worlds was already shrinking.