Chapter 23: After School
The final bell of the day rang loudly across the school.
Students immediately began pouring out of classrooms into the hallway. Some were laughing, others were already discussing homework, and many were simply eager to leave.
Mia stepped out of her classroom with a tired expression.
"Today was awful," she muttered.
Lilly walked beside her.
"You survived."
"I humiliated myself in front of the entire class."
"Technically," Lilly said thoughtfully, "only half the class saw the trash can incident."
"That's not helping!"
As they reached the courtyard, Mia immediately noticed someone sitting on a bench under the tree.
Anshul.
He looked completely relaxed, leaning back slightly while watching students walk across the campus.
"You're still here?" Mia asked in surprise.
Anshul stood up.
"I told you I might be."
Lilly crossed her arms and studied him carefully.
"You really waited here all day?"
"More or less."
"Doing what?"
"Observing."
"That sounds suspicious."
Anshul smiled faintly.
"Think of it as cultural research."
Mia pushed her glasses up nervously.
"Well… school is over now."
"What happens next?" Anshul asked.
"I usually go home."
Lilly suddenly had an idea.
"Actually, we should stop by the beach."
Mia blinked.
"The beach?"
"Yes," Lilly said confidently. "You need to recover from your traumatic presentation experience."
"That's not how trauma works."
"It is today."
Lilly turned to Anshul.
"You coming?"
Anshul shrugged casually.
"Why not?"
A few minutes later the three of them were walking down the street together.
The afternoon sun shone brightly over San Francisco. The cool ocean breeze carried the faint smell of salt through the air.
As they walked, Lilly continued asking questions.
"So how long are you staying in the city?"
"I'm not sure yet," Anshul replied.
"You don't plan anything?"
"Sometimes plans just limit possibilities."
"That sounds philosophical," Lilly said.
Mia looked curious.
"So you really travel alone?"
"Yes."
"That must be scary."
"Sometimes," Anshul admitted.
"But mostly it's interesting."
After about fifteen minutes of walking, the sound of waves became louder.
Soon the ocean appeared ahead.
The beach stretched across the coastline, with small groups of people enjoying the afternoon sunlight.
Mia stopped near the railing and looked out at the water.
"This place always helps me relax," she said quietly.
Lilly sat down on a nearby bench.
"Well, today you definitely need relaxation."
Mia sighed.
"I wish I could just disappear sometimes."
Anshul glanced at her.
"Why?"
"Because everything at school feels… awkward."
"You're worried about what other people think."
"Of course I am."
Anshul leaned against the railing.
"Most people are too busy worrying about themselves to think about you."
Mia frowned slightly.
"That's supposed to make me feel better?"
"Yes."
She thought about it for a moment.
"…Actually, it kind of does."
Lilly laughed.
"Congratulations, traveler. You just gave Mia better therapy than the school counselor."
Mia rolled her eyes.
They stood there for a few minutes watching the waves crash against the shore.
Then Mia's phone suddenly vibrated.
She checked the screen.
"Oh."
"What is it?" Lilly asked.
"My mom says someone important is visiting tonight."
"Important how?"
"She didn't explain."
Mia shrugged.
"Probably one of her art friends."
Anshul's eyes narrowed slightly.
He already knew what this meant.
If the timeline followed the movie, the visitor arriving tonight would not be an ordinary guest.
It would be Queen Clarisse Renaldi of Genovia.
Mia's grandmother.
And the moment she arrived, Mia's life would change forever.
Anshul looked toward the ocean again.
The next major event of this world was approaching quickly.
And when it happened—
The future princess of Genovia would finally learn the truth.